Drivers will soon be noticing a major change at the intersection of King Street and Souris Avenue North.
Acting upon a recommendation from the Board of Police Commissioners, City council moved Monday night to restrict traffic movement options at the busy intersection.
Under the bylaw change, vehicles travelling north on Souris towards King Street will no longer be allowed to make a left turn onto King or continue on towards 13th Avenue.
Mayor Gary St. Onge said council feels that by allowing vehicles to make only a right turn at the intersection it will create a safer atmosphere for drivers.
"It is a dangerous corner," St. Onge said following Monday's council meeting. "I think what a lot of people will do, they'll come from the Civic Auditorium or Spectra Place and they will go across at Eighth Street. They will change their driving patterns."
City manager Jim Puffalt added that increased traffic in Estevan was another reason council decided to make the change.
"Anybody that has been at that intersection knows that at certain times of the day you almost take your life in your hands when you try to make a left hand turn out of there," said Puffalt.
"Really it goes back to the history of Western Canadian towns. They developed around the railroad tracks so nothing is on a square. Whatever way the tracks went through, that is how your streets all worked up. Souris North is certainly one of those streets; it comes up to a triangle and there are way too many vehicle movements all in one small area. I think this is going to help the situation and move people back to 13th and the areas that can handle those types of turns."
Puffalt estimated it will be a couple of weeks before the changes take place. He said they need to give drivers ample notice and get the signage in place.
Asked if he is expecting to receive complaints from drivers, Puffalt said the move will be better for all involved in the long run.
"At certain times of the day it's ridiculous. Either you sit there forever to try and make the turn or people get irritated and make a right turn anyway because you can't get across. At four o'clock or five o'clock during the day trying to get around there is just about impossible."
Council also passed two other traffic bylaw changes Monday night. One change will make it illegal to park directly north of city hall. The change was requested to improve the view for drivers who are attempting to turn left onto Fourth Street.
The other change will prohibit parking on the north side of Fifth Street from Eighth Avenue to Ninth Avenue.
