Watch above: Is the city doing enough to protect its pedestrians? One councillor doesn’t think so. Kendra Slugoski has more on what changes may be in store to increase pedestrian safety in Edmonton.
EDMONTON – For years, the City of Edmonton has been receiving complaints about crosswalk safety. Now, it appears to be listening.
The city is examining high-risk crosswalks, and safety improvements are soon to come. Also on the agenda: assessing marked and signed crosswalks installed prior to 2013.
“We’re not listening to the people who are actually crossing those intersections…the people that are using this intersection are saying it’s not good enough, and how are we going to respond to it?”
Earlier this year, Margaret Mander was struck by a car while she was crossing the street at 95 Avenue and 92 Street, just steps away from her senior’s complex. Every day, many people use the crosswalk to get to the pharmacy, bus stop and shops.
“I would like to see a walk light there, or whatever…There have been so many near misses,” said Mander.
Many other residents have been calling on the city to install flashing crosswalk lights, but say they’ve had no response.
City councillor Ben Henderson says he wants to see a change in the city’s behaviour.
“Someone got hit and our only response so far, even to this day, is just to repaint the lines that were there,” said Henderson.
Mayor Don Iveson says he would also like to see a change.
“Give a little more consideration to the pedestrians in the pedestrian areas,” said Iveson. “Especially if we are trying to promote walkable pedestrian-orientated development.”
READ MORE: Safety concerns raised following fatal pedestrian collision in west Edmonton
The initial crosswalks that are to be assessed by the end of 2014 with construction in 2015 include:
- Whyte Avenue
- 109 street
- 104 street
- Jasper Avenue
These crosswalks are chosen based on the history of concerns and their high pedestrian use.
Other locations will be reviewed after these are completed and addressed. Areas that could be considered include high pedestrian activity around:
- School areas
- Senior complex areas
- Commercial district activity areas
- Transit centre areas
The city says there are hundreds of pedestrian collisions in Edmonton every year.
With files from Kendra Slugoski, Global News
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