A new traffic signal might be coming to St. Johns Street at Elgin Street.
But it could take as long as 20 years.
Tuesday, councillors unanimously endorsed a motion to include the possibility of installing a light at the intersection in Port Moody’s master transportation plan that guides the development of the city’s road and sidewalk network through 2040.
Coun. Steve Milani, who introduced the motion, said “there’s a lot of growth in that area” and a new light would “tie in perfectly” with another traffic signal that was recently installed at Clarke Street and Elgin. He added putting the St. Johns Street light into the transportation plan would allow the city to budget for its installation or even require a contribution from a developer sometime down the road.
Jeff Moi, Port Moody’s general manager of engineering and operations, said while there’s no specific development immediately planned for the neighbourhood that might be tapped to pay for the signal, that could change as that part of the city densifies.
Mayor Rob Vagramov questioned whether a light at St. Johns and Elgin might further frustrate commuters who will have to deal with another light that’s planned for a block east at Queens Street.
But Coun. Meghan Lahti said it’s important the city consider the transportation needs of everyone in the community, not just motorists.
“We need to be thinking about how the people in Port Moody are going to be moving,” she said.
Milani agreed. He said safety is the main justification for putting the light into the transportation plan so it can be regarded as a priority.
“We need to have it in the mix so it can be examined and considered,” he said.
