Children and parents who use the pedestrian crosswalk at West 16th and Binning Road may not benefit from safer crossing conditions quite as soon as they hoped.
In May, the transportation ministry said it anticipated that pedestrian-controlled traffic lights would be installed “prior to school resuming after Labour Day.” However, the latest information provided to The Campus Resident about the project’s completion date remains somewhat ambiguous.
“The new signal is expected to be implemented in September,” a ministry spokesperson said.
The issue of upgrading the existing pedestrian-activated flasher to a traffic signal with the standard green, yellow, and red lights displayed for drivers and a walk–don’t walk signal for pedestrians has been under discussion for nearly a year.
Following concerns voiced by the community, the UNA sent a letter to the ministry in October 2023. “This crosswalk is one of the key corridors for students and parents to travel to and from school,” said Wegland Sit, the UNA operations manager. The crossing is used by 900 pedestrians a day during the school year.
The project is still ongoing. “The electrical design for upgrades to the traffic signal and pedestrian crossing at West 16th Avenue and Hampton Place are nearing completion. Procurement of materials by the ministry’s electrical contractor is the next step,” the ministry said in its latest response.
The University RCMP detachment, which plays an important role in maintaining traffic safety for pedestrians and drivers in the university campus area, says, “The planned change for 16th Avenue and Binning Road is welcomed and should improve pedestrian safety.”
Staff Sgt. Chuck Lan, the detachment commander, said the force doesn’t see a need at other area crossings for the kind of changes being made at 16th and Binning.
He added, however, that, “There are always improvements that could be made to ensure pedestrian safety at any intersection and crossing, especially as the community continues to grow. Monitoring of pedestrian crossings is an ongoing process.”
Tips from the RCMP for drivers and pedestrians
For drivers:
- Focus on the road. Always leave your phone alone while driving.
- Be ready to yield to pedestrians, especially when turning at intersections and near transit stops.
- If a vehicle has stopped in front of you or in the lane next to you, it may be yielding for pedestrian.
- Expect the unexpected, even mid-block, as pedestrians may be jaywalking.
- Slow down. Give yourself more time to react to the unexpected, like a pedestrian that suddenly appears in front of you.
For pedestrians:
- Be careful at intersections. Watch for drivers turning left or right through the crosswalk. Drivers may be focused on oncoming traffic and not see you.
- Don’t jaywalk—always use crosswalks and follow pedestrian signs and traffic signals.
- Make eye contact with drivers. It can be hard to see pedestrians when visibility is poor. Never assume a driver has seen you.
- Remove your headphones and take a break from your phone while crossing the road.
- Wear reflective clothing to make it easier for drivers to see you in wet weather, as the sun is setting, at dusk, and at night.
ADA BUCUR IS A CAMPUS RESIDENT, POSSESSES A GRAPHIC DESIGN DIPLOMA, A PHOTOGRAPHY CERTIFICATE, AND OVER TWO DECADES OF JOURNALISM EXPERTISE GAINED IN HER NATIVE ROMANIA.