Update | Sask Dr to 99 St Southbound

This is an update on an upcoming change impacting our roadways.  The right hand turn from Sask Dr to 99 St Southbound will be permanently closed.  Community input had requested changes to increase safety at the intersection, but did not request the closing of the right hand turn.

The city has advised that:

• Current target for construction commencement is late 2018, depending on tendering and other City processes.
• For detailed information regarding construction start date, please coordinate with Lisa Erickson (lisa.erickson@edmonton.ca) and cc Peigi Rockwell at civics@strathconacommunity.ca
• This project is part of Scona Road Traffic Safety Initiative. Saskatchewan Drive Rehabilitation and SUP Widening (from 99 Street to 109 Street) is a separate project.

In 2016, the City did a safety review on the intersection of Scona Road and Saskatchewan Drive (the report is here). The review included consultation with the community, and it concluded that the intersection should be redesigned due to safety issues for drivers, people on foot and people on bikes.

The final design for the corner has been revealed. The full report is here, and here is a screenshot of the new geometry:

The new design will certainly make the intersection more comfortable and safe to walk and bike across. However, it was a surprise that, due to the sharpness of the corner on the southwest corner of the intersection, right turns will now be banned for eastbound vehicles turning south.

This has raised concerns about what happens to the 350 vehicles per day that are currently making that turning movement.  There are two concerns:  first, drivers are likely to turn right before 99 St, which will increase short-cutting through the community.  Secondly, vehicles that don’t turn early will likely go straight at the intersection, which will take them to the narrow and already congested 92 Ave.

If you have any questions or comments, please contact:

•  Lisa Erickson (lisa.erickson@edmonton.ca). City of Edmonton, or
• Ben Henderson (ben.henderson@edmonton.ca), Ward 8 Councillor
• And CC Peigi Rockwell civics@strathconacommunity.ca