Courtenay council approved the installation of a protected left turn signal on Ryan Road that could add about 30 seconds to the signal timing cycle where the road intersects with Lerwick.
The signal addition was recommended by the Ministry of Transportation, which will pay for the upgrades.
Council directed staff to request the ministry to report back within a year to indicate its level of satisfaction with the change.
"I think this goes a long way to making this intersection safer," Coun. Starr Winchester said Tuesday.
This spring, the City received a number of requests to improve the intersection which has a history of vehicle collisions, a report by municipal engineer Lesley Hatch states.
The report notes a three-lane roundabout — which has been discussed — would require additional land acquisition at each of the four corners. Nor would it permit pedestrian crossing at the intersection due to the width of approaching travel lanes.
"A three-lane roundabout sounds like an accident waiting to happen," Coun. Ronna-Rae Leonard said.
Coun. Jon Ambler knows from living in Europe that roundabouts are not accident-free.
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Council gave second reading to a rezoning bylaw amendment to allow a residential development consisting of about 60 homes behind Costco.
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Council gave third reading to a street entertainers bylaw that would require buskers and other performers to audition before receiving a permit.
The public and the Downtown Courtenay Business Improvement Association have raised concerns about the number of entertainers and performance locations. However, street entertainers can be a cultural benefit to downtown cores, a staff report notes.
"I think we should give this a try," Ambler said.
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Mayor Larry Jangula was the lone member of council opposed to Ambler's motion to continue sending councillors wishing to participate in local government conferences such as the annual Union of B.C. Municipalities convention.
Ambler said such conferences are where elected officials "learn their craft."
reporter@comoxvalleyrecord.com