Casorso Active Transportation Corridor

Thank you for the questions.

The proposed concept has Lanfranco intersection operating as a 4-way stop, as the number of vehicles using the intersection is not yet great enough to require a traffic signal. This is based on traffic analysis and the Transportation Association of Canada's Traffic Control Warrants. The design process is considering user safety and includes mitigative measures to help manage traffic speeds and the current challenges with the crossing. The proposed design also considers future intersection design and accommodates for reconfiguration to support a traffic signal and left-turn lanes in the future when traffic demand meets requirements.

The Swordy intersection is proposed to be stop-controlled for the Swordy leg of the intersection, and does not require a traffic signal for the existing amount of vehicles using it. However we plan to adjust the crosswalk to improve the pedestrian crossing.

The gap in sidewalk on the west side between Swordy and Bechard is identified in the City's Pedestrian and Bicycle Master Plan. It is not being considered for this project due to constructability and cost challenges. With current redevelopment potential in this area, the City expects that some of the constructability and private property impact challenges will be addressed by developments completing the sidewalk in the future. To help mitigate the challenge of having sidewalk on one side in the interim, the project includes improved crossings at Swordy and Bechard, so the majority of users have access to the sidewalk on the east side of the road.

Construction for the segment from KLO to Lanfranco is planned for 2022, while the segment from Lanfranco to Barrera is planned to occur 2023-2025, subject to Council approval.

Thanks for your comments.  The narrower travel lanes for motor vehicles are intended to slow drivers down, providing better safety for all road users.  Public engagement has closed so we are reviewing all public feedback as we transition to the next stage of design.

Thanks for the question. The proposed design does not include traffic calming strips (speed bumps). Casorso Road is a Major Collector Road used by transit buses, so due to that and the greater number of vehicles using it, it does not qualify for speed bumps. Local Roads which serve lower numbers of vehicles can qualify for speed bumps if there are issues with speeding or shortcutting.

The proposed design will provide traffic calming and speed reduction by narrowing the travel lanes. The addition of bike lanes and buffer (separation between bike lane and vehicle lanes) will result in narrower vehicle lanes. This will reduce vehicle speeds on Casorso Road.

To improve safety for people walking, geometric adjustments will be made at crosswalks to reduce the crossing distance for pedestrians.

Hi Ilana, the details for the safe transition from the protected bike lanes on Casorso to the multi-use path on Barrera will be determined in the next stage of design. 

Motorized scooters (mopeds) are not allowed on bike lanes; however, electric scooters and kick scooters are permitted to use bike lanes.  We understand with proximity to Casorso Elementary School there will be children using the bike lanes; the design will follow best practices for All Ages & Abilities bike infrastructure.

The design process will include stakeholder engagement regarding the potential redevelopment of the mobile home park.

Thanks for the question. With addition of protected bike lanes on Casorso, there is only sufficient space between the existing curbs & sidewalk for parking to be provided on one side. To provide parking on both sides of the street would require widening on one side of the street at a significant cost.

Hi Maria, thanks for sharing your concerns about parking.  Public engagement has closed so we will be reviewing all survey responses and public feedback leading into the next stage of design.

Thanks for your question. As part of the Ethel Street ATC (active transportation corridor) project, the width of the travel lanes was reduced, creating the benefit of reducing vehicle speeds. Research has shown that narrower travel lanes result in motor vehicles traveling a slower speeds, providing improved safety for all road users. The Casorso 3 ATC will result in a similar reduction in the width of travel lanes.

Parking is proposed to be retained on both sides of Casorso Road in front of Casorso Elementary School to accommodate the pick up and drop off activity. North of Bechard Road, parking is to be retained along the east side of Casorso Road and is proposed to be removed along the west side.

Thanks for the comment. Casorso Road currently has no bike lanes and from our traffic count data we know that there is a modest amount of bicycle ridership on this street. Research shows that the addition of protected bike lanes on a street results in an increase in bicycle ridership due to the improved safety and comfort provided by the separation between the bike lane and the vehicle travel lane. The goal of making it easier for more people to travel by bicycle aligns with the City's 2016 Pedestrian and Bicycle Master Plan (PBMP) and Transportation Master Plan which have identified a key objective to ensure walking and bicycling are safe, convenient, and practical modes of travel.

The Casorso 3 ATC is an extension of the Ethel ATC corridor and will complete an important biking connection from the Cawston multi-use path in Downtown to the Lakeshore multi-use path in the Lower Mission, also providing links to the Pandosy urban centre, Okanagan College, and several schools in the area.

The City is aware of potential for redevelopment along Casorso Road, and has included stakeholder engagement as part of the design process.

Hi Brent, thanks for your feedback on the previous sections of Ethel ATC. We will be compiling all public comments to determine changes needed during the detailed design for Casorso.