Editor:
Re: Conference Centre planned for Douglas, April 24.
Many residents of the Douglas area are concerned about the additional traffic that will come into this neighbourhood if the proposed hotel conference centre that has been proposed for 4 Avenue and 176 Street is eventually developed.
The Douglas area already faces traffic gridlock and lineups due to border traffic congestion, which can, at times, be so severe that we cannot get access to our residences.
Consider the Easter weekend just a few weeks ago as an example of our highway systems becoming a parking lot for most of the day.
There are only two access points to the Douglas area – on 8 Avenue at 172 Street and 4 Avenue at 176 Street. If these are both blocked with traffic, how can the safety of the residents of this area be maintained for emergency service vehicles to get into the area?
There is also no access for the proposed development from 176 Street; the only access is along 175A Street which was built and upgraded two years ago to restrict truck traffic and is a narrow residential street.
What will be the traffic flow along this access road after a large conference or event? How will trucks service the hotel, conference centre, banquet facilities and retail spaces proposed?
The last traffic study for the Douglas area was prepared in 2007. The study needs to be updated by the City of Surrey to determine the impact this development will have.
I urge the city to do a proper traffic analysis before making any decisions. A development of the magnitude contemplated will have a major impact on the traffic patterns in the area and on all the residents of the Douglas area for the use and enjoyment of their property.
Dennis Befus, Surrey