Lake Country intersection causes no shortage of headaches

LAKE COUNTRY – If you've ever felt confused at this intersection, you're clearly not alone.

The three-way intersection at Oyama Road, Woodsdale Road and Lodge Road sparked a debate about which vehicle would have the right of way in a scenario where cars were coming down all three roads and sparked major confusion online over right of way.

A post accompanied by a drawing crystalized the problem for people, as it appears Oyama to Lodge is a straight line. The post also noted that the Woodsdale Road section used to have a yield sign.

"It's an odd configuration," said Karen Miller, communications officer with the District of Lake Country.

Miller said she understands some of the confusion around the intersection. She said while its appears Oyama to Lodge is a straight line, in actuality a driver going that direction is technically making a left turn. If someone were turning onto Oyama from Woodsdale at the same time as someone were driving from Oyama to Lodge, the latter driver would yield to the former.

Miller said a yield sign isn't required at Woodsdale because left turns always yield to uncontrolled oncoming traffic. She said the intersection functions similarly to Glenmore Road and Shanks Road, Glenmore Road and Seaton Roads, and several others.

The intersection was reconfigured in 2018 after an assessment from an ICBC engineer. ICBC data showed there were eight collisions at that intersection between 2011 and 2017; since the reconfiguration, there has been one reported collision.

Miller noted the District is currently conducting a study of the intersection to see if there are any needed improvements or changes. Any proposed work would have to be considered under current budget parameters.

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