New Moncton pool provokes traffic concerns

A Moncton woman says increased traffic around Centennial Park means that a new traffic light may be warranted.

Heidi Eaton, who lives near the park, says it's already difficult to turn left from Dickson Boulevard, where she recently built a home, onto St. George Boulevard, which runs adjacent to the southern end of the park.

She said this difficulty will only increase when the planned new pool opens in the park.

"I'm concerned about the new 127 parking spots that are going to be allocated at that cross-section," said Eaton.

The parking lot for the new pool will be across from Dickson, making the current three-way intersection at Dickson and St. George into more of a four-way intersection.

"A lot of people cross the road to walk their animals at that intersection," said Eaton.

"Perhaps a traffic light might not be deemed appropriate … but I know there is a lot of traffic."

Eaton said she contacted the city about the possible need for a new traffic light but was told a private engineering firm said one wasn't needed and a decision on a traffic light hadn't been made.

City exploring options

Stephane Thibodeau of Moncton's engineering department, said it is aware of the possible need for traffic lights at the intersection.

"We are definitely going to be doing our due diligence with respect to the [intersection] to determine if some type of traffic management is required."

Thibodeau said more research on the possible traffic patterns needs to be done before a decision is made.

He said most traffic enters the park though Milner Road, since that is where the parking lot for the beach is.

The new pool is scheduled to open by next year at a cost of $3.5 million.

It will replace the Kiwanis Centennial Beach, an artificial beach connected to a pool that opened in 1984. It was built on a floodplain and reached the end of its serviceable life.