Pilot project to stop traffic shortcutting through north side neighbourhood called a success

Pilot project called a success Residents are calling a pilot project to stop shortcutting through 124 St. south of Yellowhead Tr., a success.

Some residents of Prince Charles on Edmonton’s north side are celebrating a pilot project, intended to stop drivers from taking a shortcut through their neighbourhood – and a city committee voted Wednesday to make it permanent.

The Urban Planning Committee met Wednesday and discussed a pilot project meant to keep drivers from taking a shortcut on 124 Street, between 118 Avenue and Yellowhead Trail. Back in July 2015, concrete barriers were installed on the street as part of the project.

City staff said Wednesday that traffic along 124 Street has dropped significantly. On that street south of 123 Avenue, the number of vehicles passing each day dropped from 6,700 to 900.

“What we employed there is techniques around public engagement, some of the measures there was attention around doing it faster so people were on board,” Peter Ohm, Chief Planner with the City of Edmonton, said. “A number of those aspects were part of the trial.”

Residents of the neighbourhood were the driving force towards the introduction of the pilot project, and it’s hoped more citizen-driven pilots like this one are coming.

The committee voted to make the barriers on 124 Street permanent, and to adopt a new policy to give residents more say in traffic decisions.

“This policy really changes and moves the bar on how you get it going to begin with,” Councillor Ben Henderson said.

City officials said policy procedures will be developed over the coming year.

City Council expects to deal with this issue next week.

With files from Nicole Weisberg