Kenaston and McGillivray worst collision corner

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This article was published 08/02/2011 (5380 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

 Winnipeg’s worst collision intersections are marked on the map above; click for details on each.

WINNIPEG – Heads up when you drive through the intersection of Kenaston and McGillivray boulevards — it had a city-high 1,052 collisions over the past five years.

Manitoba Public Insurance released crash data this morning of the 10 most accident-prone intersections in the city between 2005 and 2009.

Two of them — Kenaston Boulevard and McGillvary Boulevard, and Grant Avenue and Kenaston Boulevard — are in Charleswood Coun. Paula Havixbeck’s south Winnipeg ward.

Havixbeck said she’s not surprised the corner of Kenaston and McGillvary topped the list as the worst intersection in Winnipeg for collisions.

The rookie councillor said she heard throughout the election how bad traffic is, particularly with the growth of big box shopping in the area. Havixbeck said she will work with city staff to address the problem to find ways to improve traffic flow.

"This is quite alarming but I can’t say it’s surprising, because I heard throughout the election how bad traffic is," Havixbeck said. "So when there’s more traffic there’s more potential for accidents."

But city officials say they’ve added left turning arrows and increased the number of traffic lanes to address the rising traffic volumes at Kenaston and McGillivray.

Louis Escobar, manager of the city’s transportation department, said the area now handles about 60,000 vehicles per day, and volumes have increased between one and two per cent a year over the past five years. Escobar said the city monitors the traffic volumes and nature of collisions, to address any safety concerns with changes to road engineering.

He said the city has increased the number of lanes on Kenaston in each direction from two to three in some places, and introduced left turning arrows to help traffic move along more safely.

"It helps reduce the number of collisions in the area and risk of injury," he said. "There are a lot of collisions still because that area is carrying more than 60,000 motorists per day."

Earlier today, MPI released the top 10 list to raise awareness about intersection safety, says Ted Hlynsky, vice-president for claims control and safety operations.

MPI also reported:

• A total of three fatalities and 1,500 injuries occurred at these 10 intersections
• Friday was the worst day for intersection collisions: 1,233 in total
• 3 to 6 p.m. was the worst time period for intersection collisions: 2,020

“Many of these collisions were rear-end collisions,” said Hlynsky. “The message to motorists is to anticipate when the light will change and leave enough space in front of you if you are required to stop suddenly.

“Also, if turning, motorists should ensure they leave enough distance between cars travelling through the intersection to allow for a safe turn. During the winter months traction is not as good as it is with better road conditions…stopping quickly can be difficult.”

Manitoba’s police agencies are also concerned with intersection-related collisions in the province and are currently conducting dedicated intersection initiatives during the month of February.

“Manitoba Public Insurance and police agencies are committed to reducing the number of collisions at intersections,” said Hlynsky.