Quidi Vidi Pedestrian-Only Zone and Changes to Traffic Flow

In June 2021, the City of St. John’s sought feedback to assess a proposed pedestrian-only zone in the ‘inner gut’ of Quidi Vidi Village. Based on feedback received from residents and businesses in the area, a pilot project was implemented on July 16 which ran during weekends (Friday to Sunday) for six weeks and made the inner gut vehicle free except for local access and deliveries by reducing access to Stone’s Road and Barrow’s Road.

In Sept. the City sought feedback from residents and businesses in Quidi Vidi, and from the public who travelled through the area, about their experience during the pilot project. Feedback was mostly positive with residents in the area noting that it improved safety and security. There is interest in seeing a similar project in 2022 with some people noting they would like to see the pilot implemented full time, year-round, or at least every day during the summer months.

Read the ‘What We Heard document to learn more.

Results of the public engagement process will be tabled at the Nov. 3 Committee of the Whole meeting – the agenda is available online.

The project to make Barrow's Rd, Stone's Rd. and Maple View Pl. pedestrian only/local traffic only for weekends throughout the summer has ended and the City is looking for feedback on your experience in the area during the pilot. If you are a resident or business owner in Quidi Vidi you would have received a letter in the mail with a code giving you access to the survey. Please take a few minutes to complete it. If you did not receive a letter but live/have a business in Quidi Vidi, please contact engage@stjohns.ca to receive a code. If you are a visitor to Quidi Vidi and want to provide feedback on the pilot, please do so through this survey.

Feedback can also be sent via email to engage@stjohns.ca or by calling 311 and asking to speak to a member of the project team.

From noon to 10 p.m. on weekends this summer, the "inner gut" in Quidi Vidi Village will be pedestrian only. Here's what you need to know:

1. Barricades will be in place blocking vehicles from Barrows Road and Stones Road from noon to 10 p.m. Friday, Saturday, and Sunday until September 5. A security person will be located at each of the barricades.
2. Even though general thru-traffic will be banned, there may still be cars and trucks on the road, so pedestrians are advised to proceed with caution on the roadway.

• Residents of Barrows Road, Mapleview Place and Stones Road will be permitted access inside the closure. Residents will inform Commissionaires that they live within the area and will be given access.
• Visitors and guests to residential properties will be given access as long as the property has adequate parking. If not, those visitors will have to find alternate parking in the area.
• Local business-related traffic, including staff, will be permitted onsite to access properties and deliver goods. This would also apply to contractors working on residential and commercial properties.
• Individuals availing of the slipway for the food fishery will be permitted access to launch their boats. There is no parking available for boats and trailers; they will have to find alternate parking.

Please note:

• Bicycles, scooters and skateboards are welcome, however security staff may ask individuals riding to dismount if pedestrian volumes are high.
• All bus tours and party busses will be directed to drop off and pick up passengers on Cadet Road. No access will be permitted.
• Taxis will not be permitted inside the closure unless they are dropping off a fare that has an accessibility issue. Taxi fares may be picked up or dropped off from Quidi Vidi Village Road at Barrows Road or at Cadet Road next to the Plantation access bridge. During inclement weather taxis may be permitted inside the area to pick up fares. The barricades may be removed at this time if the weather is deemed intolerable by security.

Parking:

Review the map for parking spaces available near Quidi Vidi Village.

Parking zones are located on The Boulevard before the start of Quidi Vidi Village and off Cadet Road (three open-space areas).

There are 2 accessible parking spaces located at the Plantation. Visitors to the area will be given access if the spaces are available. GoBus may drop off and pick up passengers on Quidi Vidi Village Road at Barrows Road or at Cadet Road next to the Plantation access bridge. There is also one accessible parking space located on Cadet Road.

The Wharf at Quidi Vidi:

The event called “The Wharf at Quidi Vidi” with picnic tables, food vendors, and a beer tent is a private enterprise, not run by the City of St. John’s. For information on the shuttle or events and services at “The Wharf,” please speak with staff on site.

Enjoy your time during the pedestrian pilot this summer in Quidi Vidi Village. Please remember that this is a working area and a residential neighbourhood, and please be respectful of those lucky enough to call Quidi Vidi home!

Following a public engagement process and discussion at the Committee of the Whole on June 30, Council will be implementing a pedestrian-only zone in Quidi Vidi Village over weekends this summer.

The City will close Barrow’s Road and Stone’s Road to through traffic from noon to 10 p.m., Friday to Sunday from July 16 to Sept. 5. Only local traffic will be permitted, and barricades will be staffed during the pilot hours. Access will be granted for Plantation vendors and deliveries for business as well as users of the slip way for recreational fishing.

Biking, skateboarders and scooters will be subject to the same protocols as the Downtown Pedestrian Mall. The installation of bike racks in the area is underway.

Consideration was given to implementing one-way traffic for Quidi Vidi Village Road, but views on this option were mixed; therefore, it will not be put in place. Instead, temporary speed cushions will be installed during the pilot in an effort to reduce speeds, which has been an ongoing concern for some time in the neighbourhood.

Council is expected to make a decision on the potential Quidi Vidi Pedestrian-Only Zone and Changes to Traffic Flow during the regular meeting scheduled for July 13th. See the agenda here.

A further communication will be published once the decision has been made.

On June 7, 2021, the City of St. John’s launched a public engagement process to assess a proposed pedestrian-only zone in the ‘inner gut’ of Quidi Vidi Village. The proposed change would be a pilot during summer 2021. Public opinion was sought on introducing one-way traffic flow from Regiment Road through Cadet Road east bound through the Village as well.

To gather feedback, letters were sent to residents and business owners in Quidi Vidi Village; a project page was created on the City’s public engagement website with Quick Polls and a Question-and-Answer section; virtual engagement sessions were promoted for both residents and the business community; individuals were invited to submit emails, letters or phone messages; and staff met with the organization’s Inclusion Advisory Committee on the concept. The proposal was also promoted on the City’s social media channels.

Generally, both residents and business owners were supportive of the inner gut closure and like the concept of piloting this change this summer and making a permanent change only if the pilot is deemed a success.

Businesses generally are more supportive of a weekend-only closure for the pilot, while residents prefer to see it every day. Access remains a priority for both residents and business owners, so the use of staffed barricades is a necessity; residents want to be able to drive to their properties within the closure and also have visitors be able to drive to their properties to park, while businesses need vehicular access for deliveries and trucks. Some businesses expressed desire for drop off and pick up options for their customers.

Generally, businesses supported the concept of one-way traffic through the Village, but opinions on this matter were mixed from residents. Concerns included inconvenience for residents who would need to circle around the lake and also fears that one-way traffic may in fact increase speeds through the area. Some residents were in favour of one-way traffic and suggested speed cushions would be essential if this were in place.

Check out the full What we Heard Document in the Documents Library.

Council will review the results of the public engagement process at the upcoming Committee of the Whole meeting on June 30, 2021.

If the proposal is approved, feedback gathered from the Inclusion Advisory Committee will be considered to ensure the changes reflect the needs of users with all abilities.