Fourth Avenue and Main Street – Traffic Signals Upgrades

We will be upgrading the traffic signals at Fourth Avenue and Main Street.

This work will involve removing the existing signals and excavating on the four corners to install new pole bases. Existing concrete sidewalks will be removed and replaced with larger pedestrian friendly curb extensions and waiting areas. The traffic signals will be upgraded and include new features such as accessible pedestrian signals, bicycle friendly pushbuttons, and countdown timers.

Updates

No tenders were received this year, and this project will now move to 2023.

Background

The traffic signals at Fourth Avenue and Main Street are one of the original sets of signals installed in Whitehorse in 1979. The signals have been updated, but have reached the end of their service life and are in need of replacement.

In 2022, Council approved upgrades to the traffic signals. The proposed upgrades include the following:

• Signal poles and signal heads.
• Accessible pedestrian signals including accessible pushbuttons and audible indicators.
• Bicycle pushbuttons.
• Pedestrian countdown timers.
• Updated signal timing.
• Curb extensions and expanded pedestrian waiting area.
• Curb ramps including tactile warning indicators and score lines.

The proposed upgrades will improve transportation accessibility, equity, mobility, safety, and sustainability by:

• Accessible pedestrian infrastructure to enable transportation mobility for people with disabilities.
• Updated signal timing plan to minimize conflicts between pedestrians and vehicles and improve overall traffic flow.
• Reduced pedestrian/cycling crossing distances.
• Improved vehicular sightlines.
• Countdown timers to notify pedestrians and drivers about a pending end of green phase.
• Bicycle friendly pushbuttons.