Surrey needs to take a more serious look at the implementation of grade-separated pedestrian crosswalks on major roads like 88 and 104 Avenues and King George Boulevard for the purpose of reducing congestion and improving pedestrian and road safety.
One of the problems with the designs of Surrey roads is the curb lane on a four-lane major corridor often acts as both a through lane and a right-turn lane; this is not a problem in some other municipalities such as Vancouver, where curb lanes are often reserved for parking or transit and not for general use, separating through and right-turn traffic.
Crossing pedestrian traffic often backs up right turns and can cause congestion and safety issues (particularly at 104 Avenue and King George Boulevard – more than a few times I have seen trucks that must turn right take up both lanes to do so safely as there is no [badly needed] westbound to northbound right turn lane – significantly delaying traffic and transit).
Pedestrian overpasses can allow for the reduction or restriction of at-grade crosswalk traffic that can block through traffic and cause congestion, and can improve the efficiency and safety for the vehicles on our roads. They also could address issues with pedestrian safety; such overpasses could be extremely useful where schools are near major roads.
In a 2006 consultants’ meeting concerning property redevelopment northeast of 104 Avenue and 156 Street, one consultant made a suggestion for a pedestrian overpass to cross 104 Avenue near 157 Street to provide a safe crossing for students from a nearby school.
Of all major corridors in Surrey, 104 Avenue has the fastest congestion growth rate, according to one-year traffic count observations between 2010 and 2011 at that exact location. During school hours, school children often cross at nearby 156 Street, causing additional congestion problems and safety issues for vehicles, with heavy trucks often having to slam their brakes for a stopped car unable to turn right due to crossing pedestrians.
This needs to and can be addressed, and Surrey needs to seriously look at solutions. Citizens are contributing more and more money to transportation each year (taxes are rising). I want to see that money being used well.
Daryl Dela Cruz, Surrey