Saint John council has backtracked on a decision to narrow a busy street on the city’s east side.
During a special meeting on Monday night, council voted to return Heather Way to four lanes.
The reversal follows pushback from the dozens of residents who attended a recent open house.
Heather Way was reduced to two lanes from four earlier this fall following a recommendation from city staff.
Barricades were set up on the two southbound lanes while city staff turned the northbound lanes into two-way traffic.
Mayor Donna Reardon said their initial intent was to create a safer neighbourhood for drivers and pedestrians.
“How do we reduce those conflict points with vehicles and cars, how do we create shorter distances of crossing the streets,” Reardon said during Monday’s meeting.
About 200 residents from the area attended an open house held at Simonds High School last Wednesday.
They shared a wide range of concerns and an “overwhelming majority” requested the barricades be removed, according to a city staff report.
Coun. Greg Stewart said the barriers were never meant to be permanent but to instead get dialogue going with residents about what should be done with the street.
Stewart said while he does not agree that four lanes of traffic are necessary on Heather Way, he respects the overwhelming consensus from community members,
“We may not always get it right, but everyone on this council wants what’s best for this city,” he said, noting the decision was made after much discussion and debate.
Safety has been a concern in the area after a pedestrian was fatally struck by a speeding vehicle in 2008.
Staff sought feedback from residents on potential options for imagining the street in 2021 and brought up several ideas for discussion.
Only five community members participated in a virtual meeting while 23 others provided comments via email. Staff said there was no general consensus on what, if any changes, should be implemented.
Tim O’Reilly, the city’s public works and transportation commissioner, said the barricades will be removed over the coming days.
Staff will plan to resurface the asphalt on those lanes next year at a cost of around $200,000 to $325,000.
