New Northfield, Boundary, Highway 19A intersection open to traffic

NEWS RELEASE - Distributed November 19, 2018 2:30 PM

Summary

Thanks to a partnership between the City of Nanaimo and the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure, traffic is now flowing through the new and improved Northfield/Boundary/Highway 19A (old Island Highway) intersection. Over the course of 2018, the intersection has been reconstructed. This project has been aimed at making the intersection safer and more efficient.

Drivers can expect some changes at the intersection including dedicated left turn arrows, new traffic lights and new turning and merge lanes.

Safety for pedestrians and cyclists has been a priority. Improvements include new sidewalks, a new rail crossing and improved access to the pedestrian / cyclist highway underpass.

The current reconstructed intersection includes half of the rail upgrades with the other half to be completed prior to implementation of rail passenger service.

Historically, the intersections of Northfield Road/Boundary Avenue and Highway 19A/Northfield Road have been an area of concern with a high number of vehicle collisions. A traffic study in 2009 led to a partnership between the City of Nanaimo and the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure. The primary objective was to work with a consultant and redesign the intersection to improve safety for all modes of transportation.

Link to Strategic Plan: Improving Transportation and Mobility.

Key Points

This project was a partnership between the City of Nanaimo and the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure. The Province of B.C. contributed $1.85 million toward the $4.1-million project.
Vehicles turning right from Northfield Road to Highway 19A now have an acceleration (merge) lane on Highway 19A, making it easier for vehicles to merge into oncoming traffic.
Vehicles turning left from Highway 19A onto Northfield Road now have a protected left-turn only traffic signal (left turns will only be allowed on the green arrow).
A new and dedicated left turn lane on Northfield Road connects drivers to Boundary Avenue. Coming from Boundary Avenue onto Northfield Road, only right turns are permitted. A new pedestrian sidewalk on Northfield Road stretches from Duggan Road to Boundary Avenue.

Quotes

"This intersection has been a safety concern for far too many years. It’s an important thoroughfare for locals, ferry traffic and staff at Nanaimo Regional General Hospital and these improvements will have a lasting impact on the City of Nanaimo."

Honourable Claire Trevena

Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure

Government of British Columbia

"This project has been in the works for a long time and thanks to the efforts from all stakeholders involved and our partnership with the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure, we are now happy to say that it is substantially complete."

Mike Strain

Project Manager

City of Nanaimo

Images

The new intersection at Northfield Rd and Boundary Ave

The crosswalk at Highway 19a and Northfield Ave

New traffic signal at Northfield Rd and Boundary Ave

Contact:

Mike Strain

Project Manager

City of Nanaimo

250-756-5328

Print News Release

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