SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE - The development of a new mall and bank along one of Yellowknife's busiest intersections will likely lead to more road construction and a higher volume of traffic, according to an official with city hall.

The intersection at Old Airport Road and Range Lake Road is one of the city's busiest and will likely get busier once the new Bank of Montreal and mall at the corner are open. City councillor David Wind is concerned the development could create major problems for drivers. - Andrew Livingstone/NNSL photo

Jeff Humble, director of planning and lands, said a recently completed traffic study gives the intersection at Range Lake Road and Old Airport Road a grade of 'D' on a scale where A translates to lightest volume of the traffic and shortest amount of time waiting at traffic lights, while F is the grade given to the highest traffic volume.

Humble said the grade could drop to an 'E' once development of the mall is complete.

"We know traffic counts are quite high," he said.

The city may allow traffic on the lane heading to Stanton Territorial Hospital and Extra Foods on Range Lake Road to turn left onto Old Airport Road to help alleviate the pressure, said Humble.

He also said the city is considering a right turning lane from Old Airport Road onto Range Lake Road.

"That could be in the very near future which will certainly be a cost to the city," said Humble.

The prospect of increased traffic at the intersection has one city councillor, David Wind, calling on residents to make their views known before the period to appeal the development permit on a Lube-X outlet and an exit ramp onto Old Airport Road from the new mall and Bank of Montreal branch comes to an end Friday.

"I think there is a traffic problem there already and I anticipate it could easily be made worse," said Wind. "It could be made worse to create another opening to get onto Old Airport Road just at the time when rush hour is there."

Wind said he's seen traffic backed up from the intersection all the way to the Reddi Mart at the corner of Old Airport Road and Byrne Road.

Coun. Lydia Bardak said installing traffic control devices could help alleviate some of the problems.

"It's possible to say there are no left turns there and divert the traffic another way," she said.

"We're looking at business development, employment and more services, all good things for our residences, so lets just deal with it. There are things we can do without prohibiting business development in our city."

But Wind said he wonders whether the exit lane onto Old Airport Road is appropriate.

"When it was a supermarket there was considerable traffic and probably more so than the re-development of the property," he said.

"The parking lot is smaller than it was before because the bank is taking up so much space, so it begs the question as to why we need an exit onto Old Airport Road?"