By Steve Hubrecht
Concerned 5th Street residents worried about speeding in their neighbourhood are mostly happy with measures that District of Invermere staff have taken to keep the lead-footers in check.
This summer residents in the north part of Upper Invermere went to council seeking solutions to a rising number of vehicles using their street as a thoroughfare, some hitting speeds of up to 80 kilometres per hour on a residential road that has no sidewalks and sees plenty of pedestrians and cyclists (especially kids heading to school). They feared an accident was bound to happen.
Early in the summer Invermere staff put up temporary stop signs, creating a four-way stop halfway along 5th Street where it intersects 12th Avenue.
Residents pressed for those temporary stop signs to become permanent. To their delight, Invermere officials have now agreed, sending a letter to residents.
In the letter Invermere director of public works and operations Angela MacLean wrote that the temporary four-way stop has elicited both positive and negative feedback, but that “overall, the intent to slow people down has for the most part been effective.” Consequently the stop signs will become permanent and white stop bars will be painted at the intersection, likely some time in September.
Residents also want a three-way stop and a pair of crosswalks at the T-intersection of 5th Street and 13th Avenue.
MacLean outlined that the district does not have any traffic counts or speed data for the 5th Street and 13th Avenue area, but will soon get some.
“Over the fall months we will place the speed reader sign in six locations around the intersections. This will provide the information required using current and relevant information,” wrote MacLean, later adding that if the traffic data show a need for a three-way stop, “it will be considered for implementation.”
Speeding on 5th Street in Invermere has been a bone of contention for many residents.
PHOTO STEVE HUBRECHT
When it comes to the crosswalks, however, MacLean noted these usually connect existing sidewalks and trails and there are no sidewalks or trail along 5th Street.
That said, she pointed out that 5th Street is identified as “an important connection” and is designated as a “collector” in the district’s active transportation master plan. She agreed that a sidewalk or trail would provide a safer solution for pedestrians and cyclists. There’s no budget, or staff capacity, at the moment for a 5th Street sidewalk, said MacLean, but she added “we are looking for funding sources for a trail along 5th Street in 2025. When and if the trail network is expanded, staff would be in support of a crosswalk from the existing trail along 13th Avenue to a connecting trail on 5th Street.”
“Most of us are happy,” resident Barry Wiseman told the Pioneer regarding residents’ reaction to the district’s response.
He cautioned that the data collection involves electronic signs that show drivers exactly how fast they are zooming along 5th Street; “this will only temporarily slow motorists and bias the collected data. ?Most people will slow down when they see a sign showing how fast they are going.”
Wiseman also urged district officials to collect data on more than just vehicles.
“While speed and the volume of vehicles can be measured, we feel that the number of pedestrians is a more important factor. ?Also, how they travel matters. ?Many kids travel in larger groups and end up both on the grassy shoulders and the road. ?Motorists are forced to drive in the middle or other side of the road to safely pass them,” he said.
Wiseman added that in his opinion it is unfortunate there will be no crosswalks at 5th Street and 13th Avenue at this time. “Even though it is not within a school zone, many school age children travel up and down 5th Street. ?Kids that walk to school do so at their peril. ?Parents are more likely to drive their kids to school, adding to the traffic and speeding problems.”
Residents of 5th Street had reported incidences of dangerous driving to the district. MacLean explained that these incidents (from Invermere residents) are better directed to the RCMP, since Invermere staff can’t issue tickets or enforce BC’s Motor Vehicle Act.
