Following in the footsteps of Saskatoon and other major centres from around Canada, local Tim Hortons drive-through lanes will be doubling up to relieve traffic overflowing on city streets.

Ed Zaparaniuk, who owns several Tim Hortons in the city, said his stores will convert their drive thrus in order to better serve customers and to ease congestion on surrounding roads.

“We’re going do both drive-throughs (on Second Avenue West and in Cornerstone),” he said “We’re going to revamp them in double lanes with double-speaker drive thrus, where all the vehicles will be on Tim Hortons property—in other words, we’re getting them off the street.”

Zaparaniuk said it was a corporate decision that’s been tied to an increase in traffic to the restaurants, and increasing pressure from municipalities to keep surrounding streets safer. He said the restaurants with the changes will be able to accommodate about 18 vehicles in their queue.

The same thing has happened in Saskatoon where the agreement was reached between the city and the restaurant chain.

Here in Prince Albert, it was an independent decision, but Coun. Greg Dionne said he’s happy with the news.

“I received numerous complaints with people backed out onto Second Avenue,” said Dionne, whose ward includes the Tim Hortons on Second Avenue and 15th Street West.

“I’m very pleased that they’ve been proactive with trying to solve the problem.”

He added that it was more than safety. Dionne said he was happy that the restaurant could accommodate more people and generate more business as well.

Zaparaniuk said the details for the actual redesigns will take place in a few days, with construction planned to start before the end of the month.

adesouza@panow.com