Is Benvoulin Road set to become dangerously congested?

City councillors are not happy about what they fear will be increased traffic congestion and risks to motorists and pedestrians at the site of the proposed large Benvoulin Court development.

They’re also concerned about hindering traffic flow on the already busy Benvoulin Rd.

The 187-unit apartment complex, featuring two five-storey buildings, would be located on the corner of Benvoulin Rd and Cooper Rd.

However, with plans to accommodate 237 parking spaces, lawmakers are concerned about a planned intersection for vehicular access at Benvoulin Rd and what would be an extension to Mayer Rd. The other main access would be onto Springfield from Benvoulin Court.

There is a push-button crosswalk on Benvoulin Rd at Mayer Rd with flashing lights on a bend in the road.

“There’s going to be a left-hand turn there? That’s going to be very difficult,” Cllr. Maxine DeHart asked at a recent council meeting.

“I don’t get the reasoning of that? Benvoulin is completely congested most of the time,” noting traffic waiting to get through Springfield Rd is often backed up to that crosswalk at Mayer Rd.

In response, the city’s planning manager Terry Barton said the intersection had been reviewed by their engineering department and the plans for the multiple developments around Springfield and Benvoulin had been in place for almost a decade. He added there was scope to make changes to the crosswalk and intersection in the future if circumstances dictated that.

But that didn’t seem to allay concerns around the council table.

“I’m surprised the city would want another entrance and exit onto Benvoulin Rd, Cllr. Rick Webber said. “If we’re going to have an intersection [at Mayer Rd] it seems it would be pretty risky to have a crosswalk that doesn’t have [full stoplights].”

“Safety is a huge concern with the way it’s being laid out,” Cllr. Gord Lovegrove added. “You’ve got a blind curve there.”

Ultimately the majority of council approved the development permit for the complex which was contingent on them approving the Mayer Rd vehicle access extension. But councillors will want to see more details regarding the traffic safety plan which is the city’s responsibility, not the proponent’s.

A building permit has not yet been issued.