A section of road in St. John’s notorious for accidents is scheduled for renovation to enhance safety. Kelsey Drive, situated near the bustling Kenmount Road, has long been a concern for both drivers and pedestrians. Recent data released by the city highlighted the Kelsey Drive and Kiwanis Street intersection as one of the most collision-prone areas, ranking seventh in collision rates between 2018 and 2022. Additionally, this intersection topped the list for collision frequency at mid-block segments.
Local resident Sheila Whalen expressed her unease with driving in the Kelsey Drive vicinity while shopping at Walmart. She described the area as overwhelming and congested, particularly challenging for older individuals to navigate.
The city has announced upcoming construction at key intersections along Kelsey Drive, Thorburn Road, and Goldstone Street. Currently lacking adequate pedestrian crossings, the area often compels individuals to cross multiple lanes of traffic instead of taking a longer route to designated crosswalks. To address this, new traffic and pedestrian signals will be installed between various business establishments, accompanied by a new median to facilitate right-turn-only traffic flow.
Coun. Kate Cadigan emphasized the necessity of enhancing safety measures in the busy commercial area to curb unsafe driving practices. The renovation project, costing $2.43 million, is funded by the federal government and is anticipated to be completed by December, causing temporary traffic disruptions during construction.