The City response from City Engineer Vince LaLonde\u2019s desk (noted below) states the Engineering Departments position on the questions regarding:<\/p>\n
Although Mr. Lalonde and his Engineering Department have attended many meetings with the Fraser Heights Community Association, as well as with the residents directly affected, the City\u2019s position remains unchanged.<\/p>\n
The 156 St. Underpass representatives from FHCA will be attending City Council in the near future to bring this issue to the forefront. It is our desire to present it at the October 6th City Council meeting.<\/p>\n
Letter to R. Felder from Vince Lalonde
\nDated: September 11, 2008<\/p>\n
\u201c The City position has been consistent in that the 156 Street underpass in addition to providing improved accessibility for the residents of Fraser heights, the project should support walkable communities, discourage the use of short single-occupant vehicle trips, and support sustainability, by retaining the existing walkway connections (Existing walkway connections to 156 Street are located at 107 and 107A avenues).<\/em><\/p>\n <\/em><\/p>\n As we indicated by letter to the area residents this spring (see letter attached) continuous concrete fencing would not be an option, the walkways would remain open, but that extensive landscaping would be provided for enhanced aesthetics and screening of the cul-de-sac ends from 156 Street. Along with some of the other issues of pedestrian accommodation\/safety the City also committed to monitoring conditions following the opening of the underpass, and to consider additional modifications depending on the actual conditions.<\/em><\/p>\n <\/em><\/p>\n We acknowledged in June, that the neighbourhood petition By Jas Khera indicated a very high level of support for no walkway connections whereas, the confidential survey conducted by the City earlier had not shown such a neighbourhood opinion. We had advised at the time that in order to close a walkway we would need first to do a confidential survey again and that some time needed to pass before we would commit to doing one. We had also committed to not build anything related to the walkways until the issues were further discussed. <\/em><\/p>\n <\/em><\/p>\n Consequently we will be retaining the existing walkway connections on 107 and 107A Avenues, however, a new connection at 106A Avenue will not be constructed. If in future, once the 156 Street underpass has been built we will monitor the situation (with tools such as pedestrian and traffic counts) report back. Should a group of residents requests a change to these connections, following appropriate community consultation, such a requests would be re-considered. \u201c<\/em><\/p>\n FHCA Contact: Joanna Whittingstall<\/p>\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" The City response from City Engineer Vince LaLonde\u2019s desk (noted below) states the Engineering Departments position on the questions regarding: Concrete Fencing along the east side of 156A between the freeway and 108th Ave. Pathway access leading from 156 St. … Continue reading