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Improvements to the busy intersection on Highway 97 and Leckie Road should be made sooner rather than later as the city is considering increased pressure due to the Costco move.
A traffic impact study conducted as a result of the Costco move found that the intersection is already facing challenges that would only get worse as traffic patterns change.
As a condition of the reallocation process, Costco will have to pay a portion of future improvements to the intersection, particularly double left turns going south.
A report prepared for the council meeting on Monday said city officials and the Department of Transportation were working to determine when and how these improvements should occur.
“During the traffic impact study, improvements are needed through traffic modeling at the intersection of Hwy 97 and Leckie,” the report said.
“These identified service levels are not unique to the Costco project (many other factors also contribute), but the modeling shows that without mitigating measures, this project could potentially create greater challenges at intersections.”
The planning staff recommend that improvements be made immediately rather than waiting to see what impact Costco has on the intersection.
If the council agrees sooner rather than later, planning director Ryan Smith expects work to begin either in the fall or in the spring of 2022.
The project is valued at approximately $ 1.14 million. Costco would pay $ 474,000 while the province would contribute $ 200,000 ($ 150,000 if work begins after March 31, 2022).
The city would pay the remaining $ 466,000 but get those costs back through latecomer agreements.
This mechanism would incur additional costs, similar to a development fee, for future residential, commercial, industrial or institutional development in a predetermined area.
These costs would be imposed until the part of the project is recouped by the city plus interest. Smith estimated that this would likely take five years.
The additional latecomer fees would be charged due to the benefit of an improved transport network to the larger area.
Smith says there have been some delays in Costco’s move. He says the new store is not expected to open until Christmas or January next year.
