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'Disaster waiting to happen': Confusion over new intersection

An intersection has been called “a disaster waiting to happen” with the government having to release 11 videos on how it works.

The Prince Edward Island Government, in Canada’s east, unveiled its “displaced left turn intersection” earlier this month calling it “the first of its kind”.

“It has been successful in North America as a solution to high volume traffic areas experiencing congestion,” the government said.

“The project is another phase in the East Royalty Transportation Plan with the goal of easing traffic concerns for the growing area.”

It connects local traffic to the Trans-Canada Highway.

A video shows a displaced left turn in Charlotteville, Canada.
A car takes the displaced left turn. Source: YouTube/ Prince Edward Island

However, it seems the intersection might not be the easiest to use as the government released 11 videos explaining it.

It features a number of different lanes connecting the motorway to the city centre and other suburbs with left and right turn exits.

There is also a roundabout and a pedestrian crossing.

One left lane exit turns across two lanes of traffic from the opposite direction.

But while Stephen Yeo, chief engineer with the Department of Transportation, told CBC it will be “very easy” for drivers to get used to the area, people on YouTube don’t seem to agree.

A video shows a car passing through an intersection in Charlotteville, Canada.
Some people believe the intersection is just going to lead to accidents. Source: YouTube/ Prince Edward Island

One man asked, “what 5th grader did you guys hire to come up with this idea?”, while a woman suggested “it looks crazy”.

“Why can't you guys hire a normal urban planner?” another man wrote.

“Did you hire a Hot Wheels track designer for this? This is total nonsense and a disaster waiting to happen.”

One man suggested keeping a tow truck and an ambulance nearby but not everyone is too concerned about it.

Abegweit Driving School instructor Joe Byrne told CBC the displaced left turn “is kind of intuitive”.

It will open on November 15.

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