New concrete barricades installed in the Kindersley Mall parking lot are causing confusion and frustration for drivers trying to access the McDonald’s drive-thru.
The barriers, placed at both the drive-thru entrance and exit, appeared late last week. Kindersley Mall management and property owner Lavad declined to comment on the installation despite requests from West Central Online.
Reaction from residents on social media has been swift and pointed.
“Just fix the parking lot,” wrote one community member in response to a Facebook post. Another commenter said the new setup will only “confuse and cluster” traffic even more.
Some community members expressed concern about safety. One Facebook user said forcing vehicles to share narrow entrances and exits is “asking for an accident,” while another worried a pedestrian could be struck if traffic flow remains unchanged.
Others suggested the move was made unilaterally by the mall, with little communication to McDonald’s staff. “It’s too bad,” said one community member, adding that workers she spoke with appeared unaware that the changes were coming.
Debate also surfaced about jurisdiction. Some commenters argued the Department of Highways’ decision to close McDonald’s original access to the highway created ongoing traffic bottlenecks, while others insisted the mall is responsible for conditions inside its own parking lot.
Despite a range of theories, the lack of explanation has left many residents upset. “Literally the worst setup I have ever seen,” said one person, offering his services as a contractor to redesign the space.