The intersection of Boundary and Central near Grand Forks Secondary School is one of the most dangerous and frustrating traffic zones in our city—and it's past time for meaningful change.
School buses are exiting just 25 to 30 feet from the highway intersection. This leads to frequent lane blockages and near misses with oncoming traffic. A safer alternative exists: rerouting buses behind the school.
Each day, parents, students, and drivers contend with delays, vehicle congestion, and heavy pedestrian traffic. The school’s nearby parking lots are poorly designed, and the intersection lacks flashing light warnings or advance green signals. Many drivers wait through multiple red lights just to turn safely.
These problems are not theoretical. A cyclist was recently killed there. Other incidents—such as a pedestrian nearly being struck while walking a dog—underscore the urgency. Today in a 10 minute period I watched one driver run a red light and a fully loaded logging truck lock up it’s wheels to stop in time for another light.
Temporary RCMP presence is appreciated, but it’s not a solution. What’s needed is flashing red-light warnings, better traffic signal timing, and a redesigned approach to school access.
If less critical crossings in Grand Forks received flashing lights, why is the busiest child crossing in town left unaddressed? We owe it to our youth and community to act now—before another life is lost.
Christopher Stevenson
Grand Forks, B.C.
