Downtown traffic has reached a point that is getting scary. Drivers and pedestrians are under enormous pressure in trying to navigate the busy traffic, namely on Second Avenue to Fourth Avenue. Visitors to Whitehorse have commented on the dizzying traffic we have.
Being placed in a small valley, space in limited; therefore traffic will have to be considered in any plans to have more buildings allowed downtown.
Another problem is that many streets are full of parked cars during the week, with the result of the mad race out of town between 4 to 5 p.m.
What really makes my hair stand on end are the several daycares for our precious children placed on busy Fourth Avenue locations, with no play yard and with plenty of thundering traffic only a few meters away, giving off their toxic fumes. The exemption is the daycare provided by the Lutheran Church on Strickland Street that has a large fenced-in playground attached.
The Canadian military (the principal employer here from 1947 until the mid-1960s) in their wisdom sensibly put their administration offices, library, entertainment and grocery store in Takhini or Hillcrest. Perhaps it is time for our suburbs to develop a business district of their own with bank branches, libraries, convenient government offices, etc.
Just about everyone now can own a car or two, and love to drive even a few blocks. With the large population of aging baby boomers coming up and the attractiveness of living in a wilderness city, especially downtown, we can imagine the increase in accidents. A study is needed to address this problem. Perhaps with a cut in speed, traffic bumps and more stop lights? Front Street seems to be underused and should be redesigned.
Pat Ellis
Whitehorse