by Marcel Latouche
I understand that more houses and businesses are being developed in Wolf Willow, including new multi-family dwellings in the area adjacent to the Blue Devil Golf Course. The growth in the area can be a blessing and also a detriment to the quality of life for some of us who have been residents in the community for a number of years.
The most important factor is the traffic problem that will be created by the additional traffic in the area. 194 Avenue SE is the main artery for the community and as we add vehicles to the area, it is becoming quite clear that we need to be proactive in making sure that we reduce the possibility of accidents in the future. The prime concern is the intersection of 194 and Chaparral Valley Drive, where the speed used by certain motorists may become a real issue in the future. When exiting Chaparral Valley Drive, visibility is impaired because of the road being on a slope.
To avoid any future traffic issues, it is proposed that we build a traffic circle at the intersection of 194 Ave and Chaparral Valley Drive. This proposal makes sense for the following reasons:
• Traffic circles prevent T-bone accidents.
• Traffic circles already exist in Legacy, Chaparral Valley, Walden, and Wolf Willow.
• Traffic lights or 4-way stops create bottle necks, and do not necessarily stop speeding.
I have been told that it may be too costly and that there is not enough land to build a traffic circle. I suggest that, where there is a will there is a way. Far better to do it now rather than wait for an accident which may cost a life.
