Image: Mike Vanden Bosch / Pattison Media / Chilliwack Mayor Ken Popove has defended changes to the layout of Knight Road east of Evans Road in Chilliwack, saying the public works improvements are meant to slow down motorists and protect pedestrians and cyclists alike.

By Mike Vanden Bosch

Knight Road construction

Chilliwack Mayor Popove defends Knight Road construction, stresses safety of road improvements

Nov 7, 2024 | 9:46 AM

CHILLIWACK — Chilliwack Mayor Ken Popove has defended changes to the layout of Knight Road east of Evans Road in Chilliwack, saying the public works improvements are meant to slow down motorists and protect pedestrians and cyclists alike.

Mayor Popove told 89.5 JR Country Morning show host Glen Slingerland Thursday morning the issue around Knight Road construction emerged after a letter to the editor was recently published in a Chilliwack newspaper. Around the same time, people in Chilliwack Facebook groups have expressed indignation over the changes.

There’s some things that folks are saying that we’ve changed it from four lanes to two lanes,” Popove said on 89.5 Thursday morning. “Not true. It’s always been two lanes. People don’t like change. I get that. I know when we’ve shrunken travel lanes, there’s a reason for that. It’s safety. It’s to slow traffic down and make it safer for folks on bikes, people walking the sidewalks, kids going to school.”

Popove referred to “bulges” that have been constructed on both sides of Knight Road, and said travel through the area would be enhanced once line striping occurs.

“Yes, we’ve added bulges. The big issue right now is, lines aren’t laid down yet,” he said. “That’s the big thing. I was talking to engineering yesterday. It may even happen today with the nice weather. But, as soon as that’s done it’ll be pretty obvious to see the traffic directions, turning lanes, that sort of thing. Just be patient, people. It’ll be better. You may have to leave home a couple minutes earlier because it’s on purpose to slow traffic down.”

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The City of Chilliwack says municipal staff consulted the neighbourhood prior to Knight Road construction and that general feedback supported measures to curb speeding and dangerous passing maneuvers, with support for improving safety for pedestrians and cyclists. The City says on-street parking was under-utilized, so the excess space was used to make protected bike lanes for all ages and abilities, noting the addition of two pedestrian bulges will also help with pedestrian safety by making people more visible before crossing the road.