TRAFFIC – New signal coming soon at Summit Drive and Trans Canada

Drivers, pedestrians, and cyclists are advised that a new traffic signal will soon be activated at the intersection of Summit Drive and the Trans Canada Highway 1 on-ramp between Springhill Drive and Notre Dame Drive.

The new signal will enhance the safety and capacity of the existing uncontrolled intersection as part of the $2.5 million, grant-funded Summit Multi-Use Pathway Project.

The new traffic signal will provide vehicles heading eastbound from Sahali to the Trans Canada Highway 1 with a left-turn arrow as they make the southbound left turn from Summit Drive to the highway on-ramp. The intersection will still provide two crosswalks at the on-ramp for pedestrians and cyclists.

One crossing is unsignalized and controlled by a multi-use pathway crosswalk sign with pavement markings, while the other will be controlled with pedestrian crossing signals.

These crosswalks, along with the crossings at the signalized intersections of Summit Drive at Springhill Drive and Summit Drive at Notre Dame Drive, will be the first crosswalks in Kamloops where pedestrians and cyclists will be crossing a signalized intersection together. These shared or separated crossings have unique pavement markings.

As cyclists and other active transportation users use the same indications as pedestrians to cross, they still need to be cautious as most collisions occur at intersections, according to a news release from the City.

For more information on cycling safety, road users can access resources at ICBC’s Cycling Safety web page. For more information on etiquette on multi-use pathways, see the City’s active transportation web page at Kamloops.ca/ActiveTransportation.

Signal operation and timing may require fine-tuning once the new signal is in operation, and road users may experience some congestion on their daily route while these adjustments are worked out.