The City of Prince Albert is hoping to buy land at two intersections to accommodate the addition of turning lanes. (submitted photo/City of Prince Albert)

By Charlene Tebbutt

turning lanes

City eyes more land for turning lanes

Apr 16, 2019 | 4:56 PM

Prince Albert city council hopes to buy more land to accommodate the installation of turning lanes at two busy local intersections.

The city is planning to make offers to buy land at the intersections of Second Avenue and 15^th Street West, and 28^th Street and Second Avenue West in order to construct new turning lanes. City administration said at a recent council meeting that the turning lanes would help improve traffic flow in both areas and recommended purchasing the land.

The deal isn’t done yet, but City Public Works Director Wes Hicks said negotiations have been ongoing with the owners of both properties for some time.

“We believe we have come to an agreement on an area and a dollar value,” Hicks said. “Anybody who’s ever gone through the intersection of Second Avenue West and 15^th Street knows that it’s a very high-volume traffic intersection with a very high tractor-trailer count, so a lot of commerce goes north and south through Prince Albert on the number two highway.”

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That parcel of land is still owned by Esso, Mayor Greg Dionne confirmed, although he does lease it to put up signage.

The city is hoping to buy land next to the South Hill Mall to create a turning lane. (City of Prince Albert)

Up on the hill, Hicks said the additional land would allow the city to widen 28^th Street.

“We’ve never had a proper eastbound turning lane to the southbound,” he added. “It would be easier for people to leave the mall parking lot, staying in the right-hand lane and continue south but it will also give a clear opportunity for two lanes going eastbound.

“There’s two lanes all the way to Central Avenue, it’s just that people are hesitant to use them.”

Hicks said city administrators anticipate building the new turning lanes this summer.

“We would definitely schedule the work so that it doesn’t interact with any long weekends,” he added.

Ward 8 Coun. Ted Zurakowski called the addition of turning lanes at both intersections “a huge step forward.”

“This is going to be a major improvement to the traffic flow,” Zurakowski said.

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Charlene.tebbutt@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @CharleneTebbutt