Quote:
Originally Posted by Roquentin
The library's made an interesting request that could speed upgrades to 2nd ave and change/improve the flow of traffic through that part of the core. I could go on and on about this forever, but I'll just say that I hope this request is approved and fast-tracked.
https://thestarphoenix.com/news/loca...owntown-branch
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I'll take the opposing viewpoint, which is sure to be unpopular on this forum.
I believe that the proposed changes will impede/congest traffic flow through that part of the core. If it was on a different street, I'd have no issue with it, however, 2nd Avenue is a major conduit that feeds traffic from the north end of the City to Downtown via Warman Road. The current angle parking on 2nd Avenue south of 22nd Street is good for the retailers in that area, as it provides additional parking and changes 2nd Avenue from an arterial to a route for local traffic only. 22nd street is also a major east-west arterial, so it makes sense to have 2nd Avenue transition at that point as a lot of traffic turns at 22nd street.
The current Central Library isn't a traffic destination, though perhaps the new one will be. If that is the case, I'd rather see the lay-by areas for bus drop offs on 24th street.
This proposed change won't lower the volume of traffic heading into downtown from the north but will simply divert it from 2nd avenue onto 1st, 3rd and 4th Avenues. Hopefully, the CoS traffic planners will also make accommodations (and budget accordingly) for any necessary improvements to those streets.