Milburn Drive Temporary Traffic Calming Pilot Project

Colwood Council has resolved to make the temporary speed cushions on Milburn Drive permanent, to extend the walkway and pickets (except when removed for snow clearing season) and explore options for additional calming on Hatley Drive

Thank you to the many neighbours who shared their thoughts about the recent Traffic Calming Pilot Project on Let’sTalkColwood.ca.

As noted in our letters on April 8 and 21, 2021, the City of Colwood conducted a temporary traffic calming pilot project this summer by adding speed cushions to encourage reduced vehicle speeds and volumes, as well as enhancing walkability with a widened shoulder and pickets.

The traffic calming pilot project was in place for approximately 90 days and evaluated on an ongoing basis as neighbours shared their views by joining the conversation on LetsTalkColwood.ca.

A summary of the community input received was presented to Council on August 30, 2021. Not all, but most of the community comments regarding the speed cushions and walkway felt they were a positive first step in reducing vehicle speeds and increasing safety in the area. Many called for additional actions, such as more speed cushions, extension of the walkway, further action to prevent cut-through traffic and a permanent sidewalk.

As a result, Council resolved to make the speed cushions and walkway permanent, install two additional speed cushions and extend the walkway with a section of 25 additional pickets. (Pickets will need to be removed during snow season to ensure snow can be cleared effectively for road safety.) Options will also be explored for a temporary traffic calming pilot on Hatley Drive to assess methods for reducing cut-through traffic from Metchosin Road.

It is important to note that Milburn Drive is identified as a priority route in Council’s 10-year program of active transportation upgrades.

The community’s input into this summer’s four traffic calming pilot projects has helped to clarify concerns, assess the effctiveness of various approaches and guide Council decisions about permanent improvements in Colwood neighbourhoods.

We are grateful for the healthy discussion as the City continues to work with you and your neighbours to explore options for increasing the comfort and safety of neighbourhoods.

City staff have reviewed community input and scoped and assessed how cars, bikes and pedestrians use Milburn Drive and will introduce measures to slow down vehicles and create space for pedestrians. To do this:

1. A temporary walkway will be delineated with pickets between Hatley Drive and Hockering Road.

2. Speed cushions will be installed before and after the walkway to encourage vehicles to slow down.

In addition to providing physical and visual cues to encourage drivers to slow down, this will allow residents to experience how a permanent sidewalk might impact parking and driveway access as well as pedestrian use.

90-Day Timeline: This traffic calming measure will be implemented within the next four weeks. It will remain in place as a trial for approximately 90 days, and then temporary measures not accepted will be removed. We'll be evaluating it on an ongoing basis over the 90 days with your input.