Fredericton's busiest intersection safer after overhaul, engineer says
City waiting for province to complete work on Regent Street overpass, which could take 12 more days
Design changes to Fredericton's Regent and Prospect street intersection will help make it safer and reduce the number of vehicle accidents, according to the city's traffic engineer.
Among the upgrades is a double left turn lane from Regent Street when coming from the Regent Mall to Prospect Street. Drivers also won't be able to turn there on a solid green light — only when the arrow flashes.
"With the upgrades we're anticipating possibly a reduction of nine to 11 collisions per year, or three to four injuries per year, just from the changes to the protected only left turn phasing," said Jon Lewis.
- Fredericton drivers must prepare for intersection overhaul
- Fredericton's Regent, Prospect intersection closing for summer
The city will be putting up signs to let drivers know they can't turn left on a solid green, he said.
Drivers will also find right turns in the intersection are different; a raised section forces them to slow down.
"This new right turn island design is much safer for drivers and pedestrians," Lewis said.
The intersection just needs some turning signals and signs in place for the work to be completed, he said.
But the city is waiting for the provincial government to finish its work on the Regent Street overpass first.
The Department of Transportation and Infrastructure declined an interview with CBC, but in an email, spokeswoman Sarah Bustard said the work will take at least 12 more days and is weather dependent.
"When the department has a specific date for the bridge opening we will communicate that with the public," the email stated.