Kenaston, McGillivray named worst intersection

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 16/02/2011 (5372 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The city’s most collision-ridden intersection is driving the concerns of residents and business owners, despite their desire for economic and residential growth in southwest Winnipeg.  

Manitoba Public Insurance recently released a hotlist of the city’s 10 worst intersections based on claims data collected from 2005 to 2009.

The intersection of Kenaston Avenue and McGillivray Boulevard intersection finished in top place with 1,052 reported collisions, while Kenaston and Grant Avenue placed third with 784.

MPI spokesman Brian Smiley said it’s important to keep these figures in perspective, because of the continued growth of southwest Winnipeg. “That region is a large retail area and its combined with a growing residential area,” he said.  

The city’s manager of transportation, Luis Escobar, said approximately 62,000 vehicles a day roll through Kenaston and McGillivray, making it one of the highest traffic volume areas in the city.

Smiley added that a high percentage of these collisions were rear-enders and the most common times were Fridays between 3 p.m. and 6 p.m.

“At that time, many people are returning home from work and many are mentally fatigued after an eight or nine hour day and are anxious to start the weekend, which brings about the potential for problems and accidents,” Smiley said.

In light of the recent figures, Smiley said the emphasis is on motorists to drive according to the conditions and their state of mind.

“It’s all about driver behaviour and good habits, which can be neglected over the years. Now is a good time to look at these behaviours,” he said.

Using the imminent arrival of Ikea as an example, Ken Cranwill — who is president of the Oak Point Highway-based Connexion Industries — says more business coming into the city is good, but it “doesn’t always mean the roads are safe.”

Cranwill would like planners to consider the idea of creating an underpass at Waverley Street to help alleviate some of worse traffic at congestion peak times.

“And as much as I hate red light cameras, I’d like to see one at every intersection. Some of these guys are going high speeds throught the intersections, where it’s like two highways coming together in an urban setting,” Cranwill said.

He added he has witnessed numerous collisions in the area and thinks the big roadside advertising signs placed outside stores and restaurants are also to blame.

“Shoppers, and particularly those who haven’t been to the area for a while, can be easily distracted by these huge signs. It only takes a second to lose your concentration when you’re travelling at 80 km/h,” Cranwill said.

Area councillor Paula Havixbeck (Charleswood-Tuxedo) said “we really need a sign policy review.”

Havixbeck, said she has been monitoring the traffic situation in the area since before she was first elected to city hall last October and thinks some improvements have been made.

“Some of the timing of the lights and cut-off lanes have made some difference. Maybe we need to address other issues such as more photo radar cameras or slightly lower speed limits at certain intersections.”

  Escobar said city officials, planners and developers have been monitoring the situation during the past few years, making adjustments along the way.

“For example, on that intersection there is now an exclusive left-turn arrow, which is preventing the conflict of motorists running into each other,” Escobar said.

Lori Vassart, co-owner of Supper Central near McGillivray Boulevard, said the collision figures represent a double-edged sword for business owners.

“We want more and traffic in the area for our business, but a lot of our customers don’t want to drive into Kenaston Commons because of making some busy turns in traffic,” she said.

Area resident Carolynn Ringling, who regularly uses the intersection, has recently noticed an improvement.

“I think they’ve changed the timing of the lights. It used to be a terribly long wait and the turning light was really short,” said Ringling, who is an administrative specialist.

“I used to see people making some slick manoeuvres to avoid having to turn left northbound towards the movie theatre, which may have contributed to the odds of an accident, but it has improved a lot.”

In second place on the collision list is Leila Avenue and McPhillips Street, which was the scene of 1,003 reported collisions in the five-year period.

simon.fuller@canstarnews.com