New City Hall intersection almost ready
Finishing touches are being put on 1st Avenue intersection.
NEWS/ CITY — Getting through the intersection of Lansdowne Street, First Avenue and Lorne Street will become a lot easier later this week when most of the work is finished and the new configuration goes into operation.
The new intersection design will connect First Avenue and Lorne Street for both northbound and southbound traffic. It will provide a direct connection between Lorne Street and Downtown, as well as improved pedestrian access to Riverside Park.
A new traffic signal has been installed at the intersection of Lansdowne Street and First Avenue / Lorne Street.
The intersection of Victoria Street and First Avenue has also been modified, with westbound traffic restricted to right turns only.
Further work on the project, including landscaping and beautification of the green space, will continue over the rest of the summer.
The $1.8 million project started in early April and will cost taxpayers $200,000 more than what was budgeted. It’s the last phase of a four-phase upgrade to the Lorne Street corridor involving street work, better traffic circulation and enhancing the look of the area connecting Riverside Park, the Interior Savings Centre and the downtown core.
ArmchairMayor.ca 
Westbound only? Is this a strategy to lessen traffic flow out of Victoria Street?
A preemptive proposition to (eventually) close off Victoria Street to all vehicular traffic?
Because if so then I like it!
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Hi Mel, How will those driving on Victoria westbound toward 1st Avenue manage to go northbound on 1st to access Columbia? The right turn only means a long detour for many drivers.
Thanks
Tom
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Hi Tom.
I’ve asked that same question myself. The answer I got was the corner with Vic, Lansdowne and Lorne all compacting in the same spot was too tight to allow for the left turn at Vic. That means you’ll have to turn left at Second and go up to St. Paul. That block is already busy, but that will be the way most drivers will probably figure to go.
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I got confirmation when I was at City Hall today for the council meeting that there will, indeed, be no left turn off the 100-block Victoria onto First Avenue under the new configuration at the intersection. We’ll have to turn off Victoria at Second and go up to St. Paul, then go right to First. See story I’ve posted under City/ Region for explanation.
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