A notorious section of road in St. John’s, known for frequent accidents, is scheduled for improvements to enhance safety. Kelsey Drive, situated off the bustling Kenmount Road, has been a headache for both drivers and pedestrians over the years.
In late 2023, the city unveiled its annual collision report, covering data from 2018 to 2022, highlighting the Kelsey Drive and Kiwanis Street junction as the seventh-highest collision hotspot. Additionally, this intersection topped the list for collision frequency at mid-block segments, which are crossing points between intersections.
Sheila Whalen, a resident of the Conception Bay North area, expressed her discomfort driving in the Kelsey Drive vicinity while shopping at Walmart. She finds the area overwhelming and congested, especially for older individuals.
Recently, the city announced upcoming construction at the Kelsey Drive intersection, along with Thorburn Road and Goldstone Street. Currently, there are limited pedestrian crossings in the area, leading people to risk crossing five lanes of traffic instead of taking a longer route to the Kiwanis Street crosswalk.
The city plans to install new traffic and pedestrian signals at key intersections, such as Walmart/Home Depot and Canadian Tire/Swiss Chalet. Additionally, a new median will be added at the Boston Pizza/TD Bank access to facilitate right-turn-only traffic movements.
Councilor Kate Cadigan emphasized the city’s commitment to promoting safe driving practices in the area, acknowledging the need for improved pedestrian infrastructure. The renovation project, costing $2.43 million and funded by the federal government, is anticipated to be completed by December, causing temporary traffic disruptions during construction.