Data is being collecting on the Victoria Street Bridge to see whether traffic light timing should be adjusted to accommodate an increase in vehicles since the Old Trail Bridge closed down.
The Ministry of Transportation data is required before the city can have further discussions with ICBC, according to city administrator Michelle McIsaac.
The city’s traffic safety committee has taken great interest in the study, as congestion has been prevalent and a few minor accidents since the nearly 100-year-old crossing was shut down in the fall have led to traffic tie-ups downtown.
“An individual from ICBC with a community employee will look at traffic patterns to see what is involved and how we can alleviate some congestion on Victoria Street,” said councillor Eleanor Gattafoni Robinson at a city council meeting this week.
But the city will wait feedback from the ministry, which is responsible for the bridge on Highway 3B, prior to connecting with an ICBC engineer.
Trail is looking for public input on whether a second bridge is worth $20 million, after an inspection that revealed significant deterioration of the steel shells surrounding the Old Bridge’s piers led to the closure of the city’s secondary crossing.
— See related letter, Page 7