LETTER: Safe exit needed at Sydney River intersection

With the construction going on at the corner of Kings Road and Keltic Drive over the Fall, motorists are trying to get accustomed to the traffic slow downs that never seem to stop, day or night. This one is inbound after coming down Rte. 4 and exiting the roundabout under the 125 overpass that takes you towards downtown Sydney. ROSEMARY GODIN/Cape Breton Post.Article contentAllow me to bring to once again bring to the attention of Public Works Minister Fred Tilly and Cape Breton East MLA Brian Comer the on-going and serious issues with respect to pedestrian and vehicular entry, proceeding west on Kings Road from Riverside Drive.THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY.Subscribe now to access this story and more:Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsSUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES.Subscribe or sign in to your account to continue your reading experience.Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsRegister to unlock more articles.Create an account or sign in to continue your reading experience.Access additional stories every monthShare your thoughts and join the conversation in our commenting communityGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an AccountorArticle contentArticle contentArticle contentHaving lived on Riverside Drive for over 30 years, the near accidents and daily difficulties merging with and across eastbound traffic is a serious problem.Article contentArticle contentArticle contentAs ministers in Tim Houston’s government, I ask both of you to expedite a resolution. With the roundabouts on Kenwood Drive and now Keltic Drive, it’s doubtful that a safe exit at any time will be likely.Article contentArticle contentAt least prior to the roundabouts, there were periods of time when traffic was stopped upstream, thus affording an opportunity to exit with moderate danger. Sadly, those responsible for the roundabouts did not consult nor consider the impact of these traffic changes on those living on Riverside Drive and points east.Article contentArticle contentThe Trunk 4 Traffic Study has been completed and oddly there is little in the report to address safety concerns at both Riverside Drive and Causeway Drive, the only two service roads along the north side of Kings Road.Article contentArticle contentFurthermore, the report concludes in section 4, that the (LOS) Level of Service metrics for wait times at Riverside Drive is an ‘F’, or considered unacceptable to most drivers. That is when arrival flow rates exceed the capacity of the intersection. An ‘F’ grade on access to Kings Road highlights a serious matter and needs to be addressed.Article contentArticle contentArticle contentWhile there is considerable data and graphics in the report, most of what is presented is not consequential in solving day-day safety concerns along the corridor.Article contentArticle contentFor example, the Riverside Professional Centre is now home to eight doctors covering the following specialities: rheumatology; ophthalmology; orthopaedics (two); ear, nose and throat; obstetrics; and family care (two).Article contentArticle contentEven with a modest visitation rate of four per hour, these doctors would see over 250 patients in a full day. In a week we’re looking at 1,250 and over the span of a year 62,500 visits. Many of these visits would be two people per car – one being the patient and the other a caregiver.Article contentArticle contentSo in terms of total numbers, we’re looking at 100,000 people or more a year visiting the Riverside Professional Centre. At this volume level, and the upstream traffic changes, it’s only a matter of time before there is a serious injury or death at the intersection of Riverside Drive and Kings Road.Article contentArticle contentIn the event of a serious accident, I wonder if Tilley and Comer are prepared to wear this responsibility for the rest of their lives? As government minsters, they have the power to fix this.Article contentArticle contentOn behalf of all those who use the medial centre and the 50 or so families on Riverside Drive and its feeder streets, please find a solution to this potentially life-threatening issue.Article contentArticle contentMartin MacLellanArticle contentSydneyArticle content