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LETTER: Improvements are fine but what about traffic?

Even more needs to be done for Mission’s downtown area
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Thank you, Mission, for looking forward and trying to upgrade First Avenue. But with all the so-called improvements and $3.8 million spent, there is nothing said about heavy commercial truck traffic and lack of loading zones.

I realize Mission is a doormat for most travellers through the Fraser Valley, rushing through our streets just to save time from the freeway and not really wanting to stop.

Let’s pause a moment and look at downtown Langley’s main drive: one lane, angle parking and no heavy commercial transport truck (logging, etc)..

Seems they do OK. Merchants look busy, people walk with no problems, cars park with no issues, deliveries unload with no issues. Why can we not do the same on First Avenue?

One lane down the centre a little wider than normal. Reduce the speed limit to 30 km/h just like a school zone. Have semi-raised crosswalks with overhead lights. Create angled parking stalls, which could be a little wider for all the residents who own pickup trucks.

Would that not open up some space for extra parking or enforced designated areas for delivery vehicles to do their jobs?

Divert westbound heavy commercial truck traffic over a new Murray Street bridge. Regular car traffic could take Second Avenue and bypass First to Grand if they choose, but reduce the speed limit as not to have racers come through.

Now First Avenue can have wider sidewalks, new trees, new benches, hanging plants, etc., like proposed. So the question would be: How much would this cost?

I realize this idea could cause issues with westbound traffic coming from Chilliwack but who is city council trying to appease? Those trying to get to Maple Ridge by bypassing the freeway or Mission residents who are trying to revitalize its historic downtown core?

A. Bronevitch

Hatzic