Big changes proposed for Ken's Corner intersection in Charlottetown

The city of Charlottetown has a plan to simplify and improve traffic flow at the somewhat complicated intersectionknown as Ken's Corner.

It's hard to tell who has the right of way, because the intersection isn't square. There are traffic lights but alsoa flashing red light and a stop sign.

"It's so dangerous! Nobody knows where the heck they're going and people are running lights and signs like crazy. It's horrible. It's awful," saidMitch Stewart, who lives down the street.

The city's plan is to create three raised pedestrian islands within the intersectionto better channel traffic where it's supposed to go, and shorten the distance pedestrians must walk, making it safer.

And there will be new restrictions on turning: no left turns onto Euston Street wouldbe allowed for traffic entering the intersection from Longworth Avenue or Weymouth Street. Also, all westboundtraffic on Euston Streetwill have to turn right onto Longworth.

The city wants to move Weymouth Street east slightlyto better line up with Longworth Avenue, claiming part of a nearby parking lot belonging to ADL.

Million dollar plan

Coun. Terry MacLeod chairs the city's public works committee, and said he is presenting the plan to councilMonday.

He said the city has had safety concerns about the intersection for a while.

"We're at the stage now where this intersection is getting bigger and there's lots of crossings, there's apartment buildings, you know, so it was time to really take a look at this," he said.

"We also need to work with the landowners to make sure that everyone's on board with this."

Hesaid the city did consider a roundabout, but the route is used by many trucks and that would be inconvenient for them.

MacLeod has been talking to residents about theplan, and there will be public meetings.

MacLeod said the cost of the project is estimated at around a million dollars. He said it could be done in phases over a few years, or all at once starting next spring.

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