On Feb 6th, a public information centre session was held, and the proposal of reducing Carlton Rd (between McCowan Rd and Kennedy Rd) was shown to the public for the first time. Several options are discussed and preferred options are selected, but all options include a permanent reduction of available lanes from 4 lanes to 2, effectively a 50% traffic volume capacity permanent cut.

The rationale behind the change is this will be a "traffic calming initiatives", with the idea of PURPOSELY reducing volume capacity to create a BIGGER TRAFFIC JAM, especially during rush hours. The thoughts are the increased traffic jam will hopefully discourage non-local residents from using Carlton Rd as an alternate route. The study estimates a 1.5-3.5 minutes increase in commuting time for that stretch during rush hours, which is not realistic. Google maps historical data showed 4-8mins commuting time during rush hours, with 4mins being when there is no traffic. A 50% reduction in flow capacity can add a easy 8mins to go from one end to the other, and thats extra 8mins on a very short 1.6km distance.

As we all know, Carlton Rd is the only viable alternate route right now, when highway7 and 16th avenue are completely grid lock as more houses are added and continue to be so. Reducing lanes and force a 50% drop in volume capacity makes absolutely no sense. It will guarantee to create a bigger traffic jam for the entire area, and users whether guided by Goolge Maps or not, WILL continue to use Carlton as an alternative stretch, until the traffic is as bad or worse than Hwy 7 and 16th Avenue. This initiative will not acheive its traffic calming initiative, while also making local residents commute worse than current, and destroying the property values in the area. 

We need to stop this lane change initiative, as the focus should be on improving hwy 7 and 16th avenue traffice flow, which will naturally decrease the traffic usage on Carlton Rd., without any of the negative side effects to the local residents mentioned.