Mayor spurns U-turns

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This article was published 22/05/2018 (2157 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

There will be no changes to U-turn restrictions on Main Street in Steinbach after Mayor Chris Goertzen put an end to debate during a council committee meeting on Tuesday night.

Council had recently asked city administration to provide background on the rationale for the current restrictions.

At Tuesday’s committee meeting, city manager Troy Warkentin described how the configuration of pedestrian crossings at Main Street intersections, which eliminate the parking lanes, combined with “slotted” turning lanes, make U-turns difficult to complete.

“It can’t be done. Not with a typical vehicle,” he said.

Warkentin said the decision to restrict these type of turns follows recommended standards across North America.

“It would be a grave mistake for us to move in any other direction than where we are right now,” Goertzen said.

Though Councillor Michael Zwaagstra showed some interest in debating the matter further, others who spoke generally agreed there was no need for a 180 on the issue.