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New traffic signal to come for busy Tsawwassen corridor

Council agreed that a fixed traffic signal is needed along the stretch of 56 Street
Sandor Gyarmati
Sandor Gyarmati
tsawwassen rental apartment proposal 56 street
Still requiring final council approval, the proposed rental apartment building would be located in an area comprised of a mix of apartment, single-detached residential and commercial uses, as well as Highland Park and the South Delta Library.City of Delta report

A new fixed traffic signal will be coming to 56 Street in Tsawwassen as part of a new market rental apartment building development should the development be approved.

That’s what Delta council agreed should happen following a public hearing on April 26 regarding a proposed 48-unit project at 1467 56 Street.

The proposal was given third reading by council following the hearing.

Located at the southwest corner of 14B Avenue and 56 Street, the current vacant site was once occupied by a gas station.

Pedestrian entry would be from 14B Avenue at the northeast corner of the five-storey building, while vehicular access to the two-level underground parkade would be from 14B Avenue.

The majority of those who spoke at the public hearing voiced opposition, conveying concerns about the density, traffic and parking.

However, council agreed there needs to be more rental housing in Delta, an issue identified in the city’s housing needs assessment, and the 56th St. corridor was a suitable location for the development.

The applicant offered to provide a contribution of $100,000 towards a crosswalk on 56th St. along the building frontage.

However, council agreed that rather than a pedestrian-activated light, a fixed traffic signal would be a safer alternative.

Saying that stretch of 56th St. is already a hazard for pedestrians, Mayor George Harvie noted staff will work with the developer to address pedestrian safety concerns.

Council will also look at including the project in next year’s city budget.

In 2018, Delta Police Chief Neil Dubord announced that his department would develop a pedestrian safety strategy for the 56th St. corridor.

The strategy would include the City of Delta and ICBC and involve engineering, education and enforcement to reduce pedestrian collisions along Tsawwassen's busiest road.

Dubord presented a report to the Delta Police Board that year outlining the strategy.

According to the report, from 2014 to 2017, DPD responded to four pedestrian fatal collisions in the city. Three of the four fatalities occurred along the 56th St. corridor with seniors the victims in all those incidents.