Traffic changes coming to Port Moody’s busiest intersection – Tri-Cities Dispatch

A new pilot program in Port Moody will bring major changes to the city’s busiest intersections.

The council unanimously approved changes to the Barnet Highway-Ioco Road-Dewdney Trunk Road junctions on May 28, with the aim of improving pedestrian safety and reducing problems at the site.

“I want to see how this plays out. The thing that really convinces me is that it has the potential, at the very least, to change people’s choices about how they get around,” said Mayor Meghan Lahti. “If they choose not to use that corridor, that would be a good thing.”

The city received complaints about vehicles blocking traffic as they turned right onto Barnet Highway from Dewdney Trunk Road, tried to merge with eastbound traffic from St. Johns Street and were accessing the left turn lane onto Ioco Road.

Port Moody police and city staff both said the intersection causes: “ongoing operational and potential safety concerns,” according to the staff report.

During a two-hour rush hour in June 2023, staff observed 75 vehicles on Dewdney Trunk Road, along with 18 vehicles on other lanes on St. Johns, blocking the Barnet Highway.

Staff also noted safety concerns for the pedestrian crossing on Dewdney Trunk Road, as right-turning vehicles often block the pedestrian crossing while waiting for a safe time to merge.

In response to this issue, Port Moody’s Transportation Committee recommended that the city undertake a traffic study to come up with recommendations, which were later approved by the council.

A traffic consultant was hired to create a simulation model for the intersection, which was later expanded to understand the wider impact. Four scenarios were modeled based on lane intersection delays, service level and total travel time.

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Staff recommended demarcation be installed between Barnet Highway and Ioco Road, the left turn lane to prevent eastbound traffic from crossing lanes to turn onto Ioco Road.

The report also recommended the separation of left and right turns at Dewdney Trunk Road, as well as the removal of the channelized right turn lane, thereby limiting red right turns on Dewdney Trunk Road.

Finally, the signaling plans for the Dewdney/Barnet and Ioco/Barnet junctions will also be changed.

Staff estimates the budget for the pilot program will be up to $80,000 for construction time and staff management, taken from city reserves.

While it approved the pilot program, the council said it expected pushback from the community.

Lahti said he expects drivers who usually cut through traffic to enter the left turn lane on Ioco Road will “lose their minds when they have to stand in line like everyone else.”

However, she also raised concerns about adding to traffic congestion on the turning lanes of Dewdney Trunk Road, which she said were often at capacity. “I’m worried we’re going to create another problem,” Lahti said.

cone Diana Dilworth said she approved trying a pilot program first so staff can quickly flag unintended consequences before the changes become permanent.

Staff said many of the vehicles turning right onto Barnet to reach the Ioco Road intersection are coming from Mariner Road.

By adding restrictions, staff said they hope to change travel patterns so drivers opt to take Mariner Road to Lougheed Highway.

The program will continue to be monitored and adjusted before staff comes back to the board with a more detailed capital project for the next budget cycle, according to staff.

cone Callan Morrison and Lahti both predicted that some drivers will “cross over” the delimiters to enter the left turn lane of Ioco Road. Morrison asked staff to install a concrete median as a “more threatening” preventative measure.

“The fact that we are able to improve pedestrian safety at this intersection, including the crosswalk. . . it’s an improvement in my opinion,” Morrison said. “I think it’s a win-win all around.”