SCHOOLS – Traffic signal, buses among Westmount school solutions

A new traffic signal, better supervision and more City transit are among the solutions that will aim at fixing the traffic congestion issues at Westmount elementary school.

The plan, a joint effort by School District 73 and the City, was announced Monday (April 16, 2018). Vehicle traffic and pedestrian safety have been issues at the school since a close call between a student and a vehicle earlier in the year.

A traffic consultant was hired to look at the problem.

The traffic options were shared with the Westmount Parents Advisory’s Council and school parents at a meeting. Senior managers from the School District No. 73 (Kamloops/Thompson) and the City were on hand to share the plan and field questions. They said improvements will be implemented by September.

“Student safety is paramount for us and we hope these improvements will help to make the environment around the school safer for everyone,” said school board chair Meghan Wade.

“This has been a long-standing issue that needed to be addressed.”

The steps to be implemented include:

• Installing a traffic signal at the intersection of Westsyde Road and Walkem road to better service traffic exiting Walkem Road.
• Improving a vehicle drop-off lane at the school to accommodate several vehicles at a time.
• Improving safety at the bus stop on Westsyde Road near the school, by increasing the size of the waiting pad and installing roadside barriers to better separate the bus stop from Westsyde Road.
• Implementation of an enhanced supervision program at the school that will see more SD 73 staff
  outside during busy periods to monitor key crossing areas and ensure the safety of students.
• Expanding City transit service to newly developed areas within the school catchment area in the
  Bachelor Heights neighbourhood.