Green light to move intersection at the Avalon Mall

A dangerous section of road near the Avalon Mall in St. John's is about to get a makeover.

A tender call will go out soon to movethe Kenmount Road entrance to the mall a few feet further east to align it with the Polina Road intersection, and install traffic lights there.

"We've seen several accidents there and they're usually always making a left turn," said Bud Davidge, who's had a house in the neighbourhood for 27 years.

"There's a trend. Turning left at this intersection is going to get you in trouble." said Davidge, a member of the musical group Simani, who walks in the area regularly.

He saidpeople in the neighbourhood approached city hall years ago because there's been so many accidents at Polina Road. "Some serious accidents there, as you know."

Nick Coates motorcycle fatality

One accident claimed the life of a 27-year-old man.

Nick Coates was killed when the motorcycle he was driving was struck by a pickup that had pulled offPolinaRoad onto Kenmount Road in August2013.

The driver of the truck, Ronald Thistle, admitted to drinking the night before, and the morning of, the 11:30 a.m. crash.

He pleaded guilty to impaired driving causing death.

"The Polina road intersection is a place of sadness and despair for ourfamily," saidPatricia Hynes Coates,national president ofMothers Against Drunk Drivingand stepmom to Nick Coates.

"This intersection has been noted as dangerous over the years, and our family feels the change ofthis intersection would be in the best interest of road safety for all."

Sandy Hickman, chair of the traffic committee at St. John's city hall, said hecan't discuss too many details but saida new, traditional four-way intersection will align the mall parking lot with Polina Road.

"We were hoping to have this alignment done as early as last year but, the mallis in the midst of preparing a long-term plan of their whole property," said Sandy Hickman, chair of the traffic committee at St. John's city hall.

"We hope to go to tender on this project within the next two months."

He said some underground pipe work needs to be done too before the curb, gutter, asphalt and new lights go in.

Hickmanexpects the job will be finished by November and the mall owners want the work finished by then too.

"There is a significant financial amount for us to relocate our main entrance but we believe it's a win-win for everyoneand are anxious to see it completed," saidMarcel Elliott, a property manager for mall owners Crombie REIT.

Elliott said things will improve on that piece of KenmountRoadwith aproperfour-way signalized intersection.

"Once the entrance is lined up withPolinaRoad, we think the overall traffic flow for mall users and those usingKenmountRoad will be much better."