Delta council has approved the design for road improvements along Tsawwassen’s 8A Avenue and will now put the project out to tender.
The upgrades have been on the radar for a number of years, according to engineering director Steven Lan.
“About five or six years ago we put out some feelers and the neighbourhood was not generally in favour,” stated Lan in his report to council at the Jan. 22 meeting. “This past year staff brought the project forward and met with the neighbourhood and received a considerable amount of feedback through two consultation meetings.”
Lan said following the most recent consultation on Jan. 11, several revisions have been made to the original plan to address concerns.
The project will see a sidewalk along the north side from English Bluff Road to 52nd Street; a sidewalk along the south side from 52nd Street to 56th Street with the exception of the area from Gilchrist Drive to 55A Street where sidewalks on both sides will remain; parking pockets to facilitate on-street parking; raised crosswalks at 49th Street and at Gilchrist Drive to address concerns of speeding; bike lanes; and ornamental lighting.
Residents who contacted the Optimist expressed concerns about the cost of the project and the proposed bike lanes.
“We feel 8A does not warrant two bike lanes from 56th Street to English Bluff as there is very little bike traffic on 8A,” said resident Jennifer Moore. “This is a waste of taxpayer money. Yes, our street needs some road repairs, but that’s it.”
Jeanette Morrison, who wrote to the City of Delta and the Optimist, said pocket parking, along with two bike lanes, is a sad way to spend taxpayers’ money.
“Please drop the bike lanes, as this is a true waste of money and is not a safe change for cyclists,” Morrison said.
Lan said staff tried to come up with a plan to narrow the road in an effort to reduce speeds.
“Certainly this road cross section is significantly narrower than say 4th (Avenue) or 6th (Avenue), but can still accommodate two travel lanes as well as two bike lanes,” Lan said.
He added the reason bike lanes are in the design is because schools, parks and recreational amenities are in the area.
“Along this entire corridor we have a number of facilities that families will want to access,” Lan said. “We are trying to encourage families to walk and/or cycle if that is an option, so that is the rationale behind the bike lanes.”
The project will be constructed in two phases: the first phase, English Bluff to 52nd Street, is to start this spring/summer and the second phase, from 52nd Street to 56th Street, is to start in the spring/summer of 2019.
