A section of road in St. John’s known for frequent accidents is scheduled for improvements to enhance safety. Kelsey Drive, situated off the bustling Kenmount Road, has been a concern for both drivers and pedestrians over the years.
According to the city’s recent collision report covering the years 2018-2022, the intersection of Kelsey Drive and Kiwanis Street ranks seventh in collision rate and first in collision frequency at mid-block segments. Sheila Whalen, a resident from Conception Bay North, expressed her discomfort with driving in this area, stating that it is overwhelming and congested, especially for older individuals.
The city has announced plans to commence construction at the Kelsey Drive intersection, along with nearby Thorburn Road and Goldstone Street. Currently, there are limited pedestrian crossings in the Kelsey Drive vicinity, leading people to risk crossing five lanes of traffic instead of taking a longer detour to reach the nearest crosswalk at Kiwanis Street.
To address these safety concerns, the city will install new traffic and pedestrian signals at key intersections and will introduce a median at certain access points to facilitate right-turn-only movements for vehicles. The project, costing $2.43 million and funded by the federal government, is expected to be completed by December, causing temporary traffic disruptions during construction.
Coun. Kate Cadigan emphasized the importance of enhancing safety in the busy commercial area, highlighting the need for additional pedestrian crossings. These upgrades aim to promote safer driving practices and improve overall road safety in the region.