Residents in the Hastings-Sunrise neighborhood are feeling the impact of new traffic measures implemented by the City of Vancouver to enhance safety for all road users. Concrete barriers have been strategically placed to slow down traffic and reduce shortcuts, but locals are voicing frustration over the confusion and disruptions caused by these changes.
Tom Siracusa, a resident, described the new setup as a challenging maze of detours and obstacles for both residents and local businesses. He highlighted instances where drivers were forced to navigate through alleys due to the road closures, leading to more problems than solutions.
Urban planning consultant Maria Stanborough, also a resident of East Vancouver, criticized the city’s approach, stating that the current measures do not align with typical traffic calming strategies. She emphasized the importance of clear navigation for drivers, suggesting that the city’s redirection of traffic onto school streets seems counterintuitive.
A petition has been initiated, gathering over 2,000 signatures, urging the city to reconsider and remove the barriers. Stanborough emphasized the community’s desire to reclaim their neighborhood and emphasized the need to eliminate the barricades.
The City of Vancouver responded, acknowledging the concerns raised and mentioning ongoing monitoring and potential adjustments to the measures based on community feedback. The city aims to address longstanding issues of speeding and shortcutting with these changes, with plans to review and possibly modify the measures in early 2027.
