Today a group of Strathcona residents used the occasion of April 1 to tell city hall that they’re not joking around.

“Were holding an April Fools' Day protest to let the city know that we’re not going to be played for fools,” said Pete Fry, chair of the Strathcona Residents’ Association.

Speaking amidst a noisy demonstration at the intersection of Prior Street and Hawks Avenue, Fry said that the community is demanding the City of Vancouver implement a plan to calm traffic in the area.

Fry also called attention to the possible removal of the Georgia and Dunsmuir viaducts, and the impact that change could have on the Strathcona community.

“The city’s plan, currently, is to remove the viaducts and make a ramp that is going to take all of that viaduct traffic and put it down a new, six-lane Pacific Boulevard,” he explained. “That’s also going to be collecting False Creek traffic and Yaletown traffic, and that’s a lot of traffic.”

Ahead of the protest, Vision Vancouver city councillor Geoff Meggs published a blog post expressing frustration about the residents’ association’s decision to go ahead with the protest, “despite the city’s repeated efforts to meet their concerns.”

In an interview with the Straight conducted shortly after the demonstration wrapped up, Meggs said he was “puzzled” by some of the group’s demands.

“Staff have met with the Strathcona Residents’ Association as recently as last week,” he explained. “I think the city is doing everything it can to acknowledge their concerns and negate the problems.”

Meggs maintained that studies have indicated that the deconstruction of the viaducts will not increase traffic on Prior.

Back at the demonstration, East Vancouver's Carnival Band set a festive atmosphere while dozens of residents hoisted placards with slogans such as “Safer Park Access” and “Liar Liar Gregor on Prior.”

Strathcona resident Elana Zyselat said that the day’s action was called because a similar rally held in July 2012 failed to prompt a meaningful response from the city.

“Mayor Gregor Robertson said that we had a good case,” she recounted. “And he directed staff to take immediate measures to calm Prior....But the new plan, which was presented to us in February, showed no such thing.”

Zyselat continued: “This street isn’t designed to be an arterial. The houses are too close, there are children and seniors here, and it is not safe.”

Graham Elvidge, a representative of the Strathcona Residents’ Association, emphasized that the traffic issue dates back to the viaducts' construction in the 1970s.

“We’ve waited 40 years,” he said. “It’s time to get some traffic-calming measures now.”

In June 2010, Vancouver city staff outlined six proposals for the viaducts’ future. City council is expected to vote on the fate of the overpasses in June 2013.