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A dangerous, crash-prone stretch of a road in St. John’s is set to get a renovation in order to make it safer.
Kelsey Drive, located off busy Kenmount Road, has been a source of ire for drivers and pedestrians for years.
In late 2023, the city released its annual collision report of city streets from data gathered between 2018-2022 and ranked the Kelsey Drive and Kiwanis Street intersection as having the seventh-highest collision rate. The same intersection was also ranked first in terms of collision frequency at mid-block segment — which are designated crossing points located between intersections.
Sheila Whalen, who is from Conception Bay North area and was doing some shopping at the Walmart on Kelsey Drive, said she doesn’t like driving in this area.
“I avoid it if I can. It’s very, extremely overwhelming,” she told CBC News.
“Anything would help. I think it’s really congested,” she said, adding it must be a struggle for an older generation to navigate.
Sheila Whalen says she tries to avoid the Kelsey Drive area when she can. (Danny Arsenault/CBC)
Earlier this month, the city announced construction was set to begin at the intersection at Kelsey Drive, as well as the nearby Thorburn Road and Goldstone Street.
At present, there are few pedestrian crossings in the Kelsey Drive area, which can prompt people to attempt to cross five lanes of traffic instead of taking a lengthy detour by foot to get to the crosswalk at Kiwanis Street.
The city will be installing new traffic and pedestrian crossing signals at the intersection between the Walmart and Home Depot as well as the Canadian Tire and Swiss Chalet. A new median will also be added at the Boston Pizza and TD Bank access to create a right-turn-only movement for vehicles.
Coun. Kate Cadigan said the city is looking to prevent unsafe driving.
“I think it’s something this area needs. It is a very busy commercial area, of course,” she recently told CBC Radio’s The St. John’s Morning Show.
“There is only one pedestrian crosswalk there right now, so that certainly needs to be improved. So these are very positive upgrades to the area and we are looking forward to getting them done.”
The work is expected to cost $2.43-million and is being covered by the federal government. It’s expected to conclude in December. Until then, motorists can expect traffic delays during construction.
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