FACE TO FACE: What are the Tri-Cities most horrible traffic travesties?
There's nothing like a week in Toronto to put Metro Vancouver's traffic problems in perspective.
I'm writing this week's Face to Face post from the Centre of the Universe and can't believe the congestion here. Imagine random traffic jams at any time of the day - 11 a.m. or 11 p.m. - it's simply maddening.
While we don't have the number cars on the road as T.O., we certainly have our share of problem traffic areas in the Tri-Cities.
The least desirable road on my list is not necessarily a congested route but one that makes me very nervous.
The Brunette Avenue-North off-ramp from Highway 1 requires patience and focus as you try to judge the speed and intent of drivers coming along the windy road. Interestingly, the Brunette Avenue off- and on-ramps were identified as ICBC's "top crash intersection" in all of the Lower Mainland in 2011. It was also the only Tri-Cities location in their top-10 list.
The other transportation corridor I have a problem with in Coquitlam is the darn railway crossing at Kingsway Avenue and Westwood Street in Port Coquitlam. At least once a month I get stuck behind a long train that sometimes will just stop on the track for no apparent reason. Is there a way politicians can limit the length of trains?
I don't have too many concerns with the traffic in Port Coquitlam except for the downtown area and Shaughnessy Street. I thought the Coast Meridian Overpass was supposed to alleviate some of those back-ups but some days it's as bad as ever. The worst part is trying to turn left on to Shaughnessy from one of the side streets.
And finally, in Port Moody, I would think the consensus most-hated intersection is St. Johns Street at Ioco Road, where, during rush hour, the left-turners clog-up the whole area. Unless you get into the right lane at the right time, you're pretty much done for.
To be fair, on balance, the traffic situation in the Tri-Cities is better than a lot of other places across the country. But if you get into one of those bad spots, it's just like being in Toronto.
And nobody really wants that.
Andy Radia is a Coquitlam resident and political columnist who writes for Yahoo! Canada News and Vancouver View Magazine. He has been politically active in the Tri-Cities, having been involved with election campaigns at all three levels of government, including running for Coquitlam city council in 2005.
