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Lost Lake Road Traffic Calming

What's New? 

At the November 27, 2023 Governance and Priorities Committee Meeting, Staff provided an update to the Committee regarding traffic calming to date on Lost Lake Road, see the Documents tab at the bottom of the page.

In spring 2023, Staff conducted a poll with the residents that would be affected by additional potential traffic calming, and 73% of residents had concerns or were not in favor, so no further plans are currently in place.

What Happened Previously? 

In 2022, the City reviewed how the pilot traffic calming treatments worked for Lost Lake Road, what needs to be improved, and how to improve it. The insights from this exercise prompted the next version of Lost Lake Road Traffic Calming.

In this 2023 version, besides the existing traffic calming features, three additional speed humps are being proposed along with bollards and modular concrete medians at the west end of Lost Lake Road. This proposed plan is summarized below. For the Detailed Traffic Calming Plan, see the Documents tab at the bottom of the page.

The Lost Lake Road Traffic Calming pilot installations were completed and evaluated in 2021. The design which included speed humps, raised crosswalks, centerline treatments, and flexible bollards, focused on reducing travel speeds along the road. The flexible bollards were removed in early winter to help crews look after snow and ice. 

Traffic speeds were collected before and after the implementation of traffic calming treatments, and the results are shown below.



Staying Connected

We welcome your feedback! If you have any questions, concerns, or ideas to share, please contact us.

By email: transportationinfo@nanaimo.ca
By phone: 250-755-4460 Ext 4385
By mail: Engineering Department, 455 Wallace Street, Nanaimo BC, V9R 5J6

  • Progress

    When are things happening?  

    The City has received public feedback from the residents in the neighbourhood through emails, letters, and phone calls. At this point, we are compiling all the comments before moving on to the next step.

  • Documents

    Minutes from 2023-NOV-27 Governance and Priorities Committee Meeting

    Lost Lake Road Traffic Calming Plan February 2023

    Lost Lake Road Detailed Plan April 2021

    Lost Lake Road Preliminary Plan February 2021

    Lost Lake Road Conceptual Plan December 2020

    Nanaimo Transportation Master Plan

    Neighbourhood Traffic Calming Guidelines

    Lost Lake Road Study Area

     

  • Details

    Frequently Asked Questions

    What is the study area?

    Here is a link to an outline of the study area: Lost Lake Road Study Area

    What are the objectives of traffic calming?

    The objectives of the Lost Lake Road Traffic Calming project are to create a safe community and to increase the livability of this neighbourhood for residents. Traffic calming effectively addresses traffic problems in a way that is cost-effective, self-enforcing, and compatible with the existing road network. 

    How many concepts will be prepared? 

    One concept plan will be prepared using feedback gathered during the public consultation phase. See the document tab to see how the conceptual plan developed based on feedback received. 

    How much does the project cost?

    Once the concept plan is complete, a cost estimate will be created. Funding for the construction will come from available sources within current budgets. 

    What about emergency services? How will Fire and Ambulance be affected?

    Emergency service providers have been consulted and agree with the proposed project. Improving road safety reduces the likelihood of serious vehicle crashes which in turn reduces the need for emergency services. 

    Will sidewalks be included?

    Early in 2020, city staff examined the opportunities to build sidewalks on Lost Lake Road. The review confirmed there is limited right-of-way, ditches, and steep slopes. Unfortunately, these factors made it very costly to build sidewalks at this time so sidewalks are not included in the traffic calming plan. Looking to the future, sidewalks will likely emerge as development happens. 

    What will the speed humps and raised crosswalks look like?

    The speed humps and crosswalks will be raised table-like features, with a ramp up and down, and a flat surface of  3 metres wide. Similar examples of raised crosswalks can be seen and experienced on Nelson Road.

    Will the crosswalks have flashing warning lights? 

    The crosswalks will first be installed with signs and pavement markings, and then monitored for safety and operational performance. If safety issues arise at a specific location, the crossing would be evaluated as part of the annual crosswalk enhancement program. If warranted, flashing warning lights would be installed as funding and priorities allowed.

    Will additional street lights be installed? 

    The street lights on Lost Lake Road are owned by BC Hydro and will be updated in 2021. No new lights are planned as part of the traffic calming. 

    What will the concrete median barriers look like?

    Staff are considered a few options and would like to try a variety of strategies (bullnoses, planters, flexible bollards, etc). If concrete planters are used, they would be installed without greenery. Plants will be added and will have a low profile, and will be draught and deer resistant.

     

  • Background

    Background

    Speeding, walking, and biking issues have been a concern along Lost Lake Road for many years. This is a road that was built to a rural mountainous standard long before being incorporated into the City, and as such, does not meet current expectations for mobility. Numerous requests from residents to install traffic calming generated this traffic calming project in order to moderate traffic speeds.

    The City considers traffic calming on neighbourhood streets where:  traffic speeds and volumes are high, neighbourhood streets are being used to shortcut between major roads, transit buses are not operating, and there is neighbourhood support for traffic calming.

    To better understand existing traffic conditions, several traffic studies on Lost Lake Road have been conducted.  These studies confirmed that speeds are high; the 85th percentile speed is our engineering benchmark and was measured at 66 km/h. This is substantially above the posted speed limit of 50 km/h.

    Based on existing traffic conditions, speed humps are considered an effective strategy for moderating speeds. Several other measures are also being considered, including chokers and traffic circles. Speed humps in combination with these additional measures are anticipated to moderate speeds within the fastest parts of Lost Lake Road while seeking to minimize inconvenience for legitimate road users using Lost Lake Road to access their neighbourhood.

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