Traffic changes coming to Port Moody’s most congested intersection

A new pilot program in Port Moody will bring major changes to the city’s most congested intersections.

Council unanimously approved alterations to Barnet Highway-Ioco Road-Dewdney Trunk Road intersections on May 28, aiming to improve pedestrian safety and reduce issues at the site.

“I want to see how this plays out. The thing that’s really compelling to me is that it has the potential, at least, to change people’s choices on how they move,” said Mayor Meghan Lahti. “If they choose not to use that corridor, that would be a good thing.”

The city has been receiving complaints regarding vehicles blocking traffic while turning right onto Barnet Highway from Dewdney Trunk Road, attempting to merge with the eastbound traffic from St. Johns Street, and accessing the left-turn lane onto Ioco Road.

Port Moody Police and city staff have both said the intersection is causing: “ongoing operational and potential safety concerns,” according to the staff report.

During a two-hour rush hour period in June, 2023,  staff observed 75 vehicles from Dewdney Trunk Road, along with 18 vehicles from other lanes on St. Johns, blocking Barnet Highway.

Staff also noted safety concerns for the pedestrian crossing on Dewdney Trunk Road, as right-turning vehicles often block the crosswalk while waiting for a safe time to merge.

In response to the issue, Port Moody’s Transportation Committee recommended the city undertake a traffic study to come up with recommendations, which was later approved by council.

A traffic consultant was hired to conduct a simulation model for the intersection, which was later expanded to understand the broader impacts. Four scenarios were modeled based on through-lane intersection delays, level of service and overall travel time.

Changes

Staff recommended installing delineators between Barnet Highway and the Ioco Road left-turn lane to prevent eastbound traffic from cutting across the lanes to turn onto Ioco Road.

The report also recommended separating left and right turns from Dewdney Trunk Road, as well as removing the channelized right-turn lane, thereby restricting red-light right-turns off Dewdney Trunk Road.

Lastly, the traffic signal plans for the Dewdney/Barnet and Ioco/Barnet intersections will also be modified.

Staff estimate the budget for the pilot program will reach up to $80,000 for construction and staff management time, taken out of city reserves.

While approving of the pilot program, council said they expect pushback from the community.

Lahti said she expects drivers who typically cut across traffic to get into the Ioco Road left-turn lane to, “lose their minds when they have to sit in line like everybody else.”

However, she also raised concerns about traffic congestion being added to the turning lanes off Dewdney Trunk Road, which she said was also often at full capacity. “I’m concerned that we’re going to create another problem,” Lahti said.

Coun. Diana Dilworth said she approved of trying out a pilot program first, so that staff can quickly flag unintended consequences before the changes become permanent.

Staff said many of the vehicles turning right onto Barnet to get to the Ioco Road intersection are coming off Mariner Road.

By adding restrictions, staff said they hope to change travel patterns so drivers will opt to take Mariner Road to Lougheed Highway instead.

The program will continue to be monitored and tweaked before staff comes back to council with a more detailed capital project for the next budget cycle, according to staff.

Coun. Callan Morrison and Lahti both predicted that some drivers would “plow through” the delineators to cut into the Ioco Road left turn lane. Morrison requested that staff install a concrete median as a “more-menacing” preventative measure.

“The fact that we’re able to improve pedestrian safety at this intersection, including the crosswalk . . . is an improvement in my opinion,” Morrison said. “I think it’s a win-win all around.”