West Vancouver Police and the Integrated First Nations Unit are urging driver caution with new traffic controls on a busy North Shore commuter route.

Pedestrian safety and Traffic Control upgrades have been underway since last fall along Welch Street in the Squamish Nation Community of Xwemelch'stn (Capilano IR#5) as part of the North Shore Spirit Trail project.

Along with a shared use path for pedestrians, cyclists, inline skaters, and people with wheeled mobility aids, the Welch Rd. section of the project includes upgraded pedestrian crossings, improved lighting and a new fully signalized intersection at Capilano Road replacing a previous four-way stop.

The traffic signals are now in operation. (January 17, 2012).

Upgrades are designed to improve overall traffic and pedestrian safety and facilitate better traffic flow, however drivers are reminded Xwemelch'stn Etsimxwawtxw (Capilano Little Ones) Pre- School is immediately adjacent to the Capilano Rd/Welch St. Intersection. 

All approaches to the intersection are subject to School Zone Speed Enforcement, with a 30 Kilometre per Hour Speed Zone in effect from 8am to 5pm Monday to Friday.

West Vancouver Police Patrol and Traffic Section members and the Integrated First Nations Unit will target this area for enforcement to ensure safety as drivers adapt to new traffic controls.

The North Shore Spirit Trail will connect Deep Cove to Horseshoe Bay, providing a multi-use pathway across the North Shore communities, including District of North Vancouver, Tsleil-Waututh Nation, City of North Vancouver, Squamish Nation, and the District of West Vancouver.