PRINCE ALBERT, Sask. — A notoriously dangerous downtown intersection has undergone significant safety improvements, with the City of Prince Albert completing upgrades at 22nd Street and 1st Avenue West in an effort to reduce collisions, injuries, and property damage.
The project, which introduces a redesigned median and new pedestrian ramps, was fully funded through the support of Saskatchewan Government Insurance (SGI), a long-time partner in the city’s road safety initiatives.
Addressing a High-Risk Location
The decision to target this intersection followed a comprehensive traffic safety review of multiple city roadways. Between 2013 and 2022, 22nd Street and 1st Avenue West recorded the highest crash rate of all intersections studied, with 63 reported collisions. Those incidents resulted in 22 injuries and nearly $800,000 in damages.
“Safety is always our top priority when making traffic control decisions,” said Evan Hastings, Capital Projects Manager for the City of Prince Albert. “This intersection has consistently shown a high number of collisions, with 78% being particularly dangerous right-angle (T-Bone) collisions.”
The crash history pointed to a recurring problem: reduced visibility. Because of the skewed sightlines at the intersection, northbound and southbound drivers often struggled to see oncoming traffic. The geometry of the roadway, compounded by side-by-side vehicle turns, limited driver awareness and led to frequent high-risk conflicts.
A New Approach to an Old Problem
To address these issues, engineers designed and installed a new median that channels traffic into a single lane. City officials say this seemingly small change delivers multiple benefits: improved sightlines, fewer vehicle and pedestrian conflicts, and a safe location for stop sign placement in the middle of the roadway.
Previous measures at the site, such as flashing beacons on stop signs, had offered only partial relief. The redesigned median, officials argue, provides a more permanent and effective solution.
“The issue stems from reduced visibility of 22nd Street traffic from northbound and southbound due to skewed sightlines at the intersection,” Hastings explained. “The new median directs traffic into a single lane, improving sightlines, reducing conflicts between vehicles and pedestrians, and providing a safe location for a stop sign in the middle of the roadway.”
Proven Strategies in Road Safety
Prince Albert’s approach mirrors interventions already in place in other Canadian municipalities. Saskatoon, among others, has adopted similar measures to cut down on dangerous right-angle collisions in busy intersections. By aligning local improvements with national best practices, officials aim to ensure long-term reductions in crash rates.
“This project is about ensuring drivers have the visibility they need to make safe choices,” Hastings added. “With SGI’s support, we can target high-risk intersections like this one and reduce the chances of collisions, injuries, and claims.”
The new median represents the latest investment in a broader strategy to strengthen traffic safety infrastructure across the city. Officials emphasized that the design changes are based not only on local collision data but also on decades of road safety research across Canada.
Pedestrian Accessibility Improvements
Alongside the median, the project also incorporated new features for pedestrians. Four pedestrian ramps were installed at the intersection, improving accessibility and safety for residents travelling into nearby destinations such as Kinsmen Park and Prince Albert Collegiate Institute (PACI).
The upgrades are expected to benefit both drivers and pedestrians, especially in an area with high volumes of student foot traffic and families accessing community green space. City officials said the changes reflect a holistic approach to traffic safety, ensuring that vulnerable road users are considered in addition to vehicle operators.
SGI Partnership and Broader Impact
SGI’s full funding of the project highlights the insurer’s continued investment in proactive road safety measures. By working with municipalities, the crown corporation helps identify high-risk locations and implement targeted improvements that can reduce claims and improve community well-being.
For Prince Albert, the improvements mark both a practical fix to a long-standing problem intersection and a signal of the city’s commitment to safer infrastructure. Officials believe the data-driven approach will build confidence among residents while reducing the financial and social costs of collisions.
Looking Ahead
While drivers may notice only subtle changes to their daily routines, city officials stress that small design shifts can make significant differences in outcomes. The hope is that the 22nd Street and 1st Avenue West project will serve as a model for future improvements at other high-risk intersections across Prince Albert.
“This project represents a proactive investment in safety,” Hastings said. “By learning from collision data and implementing proven solutions, we can make our streets safer for everyone who uses them.”
