Drivers on Crescent Road in Portage la Prairie are getting an idea of just how the flow of traffic on the road will be impacted by bulb-outs. City crews have installed the temporary barricades and pylons in locations where the bulb-outs will be created next year. The creation of the bulb-outs has been the focus of some complaints in Portage, with many connecting their implementation with a petition to reduce speed along Crescent Road. However, Transportation Chair Melissa Draycott says while the new features could help reduce traffic concerns, the plan to install bulb-outs was put forth in the 2016 budget, long before the petition was presented.

"The City has done a lot of investment into the active transportation pathway, both along Fisher Avenue and Crescent Road. These bulb-outs were proposed to go up so it reduced the crossing distance across a very busy street. The city already recognizes the Crescent Road is a busy street."

The new features were actually slated to be installed this summer, but a lack of information on how they'd impact drainage resulted in delays. However, Draycott says they still wanted to test the waters for the new bulb-outs, to see just how effective they could be in addressing concerns over pedestrian and cyclist safety.

"I think administration saw this as a great opportunity to see how this would flow before the permanent structure came in place. This is just a very easy solution to see if this is going to make a huge difference for people getting across the street. Again, it's just another safety measure until the permanent fixture is put in place."

While they're not going through a formal feedback collection process, Draycott says they're always willing to hear feedback from the public. She says while they're only putting the barricades and eventually the bump outs along Crescent Road, construction similar features along other active transportation paths is something being discussed by the path users.

Among the concerns put forward by the public regarding the bulb-outs is the possibility of collisions. Draycott says that's a concern she's heard before, but doesn't feel it warrants the city changing their plans.

"I've had some feedback from people who worry this will cause accidents in town. I think if your eyes are up and you're paying attention to your surroundings, this is just a safety feature."

The barricades will remain in place throughout the summer, and the permanent bump outs are slated to be installed next year.

Barricade at 4th Street South East