A notorious section of road in St. John’s known for frequent accidents is scheduled for a makeover to enhance safety. Kelsey Drive, situated near the bustling Kenmount Road, has been a point of frustration for drivers and pedestrians over an extended period. According to the city’s latest collision report covering the years 2018-2022, the intersection of Kelsey Drive and Kiwanis Street ranked seventh highest for collisions. Additionally, it topped the list for collision frequency at mid-block segments, which are designated crossing points between intersections.
Sheila Whalen, a resident from the Conception Bay North area, expressed her discomfort with driving in the Kelsey Drive vicinity while shopping at Walmart. She mentioned finding the area overwhelming and congested, particularly for older individuals trying to navigate through it.
Recently, the city disclosed 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 area, leading individuals to risk crossing five lanes of traffic instead of taking a longer detour to the Kiwanis Street crosswalk.
The upcoming enhancements include the installation of new traffic and pedestrian signals at key intersections like Walmart-Home Depot and Canadian Tire-Swiss Chalet. Moreover, a new median will be added at the Boston Pizza-TD Bank access to facilitate right-turn movements for vehicles.
Councillor Kate Cadigan emphasized the city’s aim to promote safe driving practices in the area, acknowledging the necessity for improved pedestrian infrastructure. The renovation project, costing $2.43 million and funded by the federal government, is slated for completion by December. Motorists should anticipate traffic disruptions during the construction phase.