The intersection of 13th Street S. and Ninth Avenue in Lethbridge, Alberta, has become a dangerous hotspot for pedestrians and cyclists, prompting a local resident, Virgil Grandfield, to raise the alarm. Grandfield has been advocating for changes to the traffic regulations on 13th Street since 2022, but his calls have largely gone unheeded. The street, designed for horse and buggies, has been transformed into a four-lane road, and the City of Lethbridge's Transportation Safety Team continues to use outdated methods and formulas from the 1960s, ignoring the need for a redesign. This has led to a high volume of speeding vehicles, with nearly 73% of vehicles traveling above the speed limit, and the highest reported speed being 110 km/h. The intersection is particularly dangerous for pedestrians, as it is 450 meters from a school and is exempt from being included in the school zone. The Lethbridge Police Service recognizes the intersection as one of the higher collision areas within the city and has been conducting weekly traffic enforcement projects. The elimination of photo radar within the province has further exacerbated the problem, leading to an increase in speeding. The City's Transportation Engineering Manager, Ahmed Ali, argues that reducing the speed limit is impractical due to the street's role as an important artery connecting the north and south ends of the city. However, the LPS's Sgt. Tony Ramotowski acknowledges the challenges of enforcing traffic laws at this intersection due to its high volume of traffic. The City is taking steps to improve safety, including installing exclusive turning lanes and lights, and exploring the possibility of converting the intersection into a roundabout. In the meantime, Ramotowski encourages pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers to share the road responsibly, emphasizing the importance of eye contact between pedestrians and drivers and the need for cyclists to dismount their bikes before crossing intersections. The situation highlights the ongoing struggle between maintaining traffic flow and ensuring pedestrian and cyclist safety, and the need for a comprehensive re-evaluation of traffic regulations and infrastructure.
