The city is making an appointment with the Ministry of Highways to look into options of making a potentially dangerous trail crossing safer.
The crossing in question is where the highway intersects the Trans Canada trail, near Donaldson Drive.
Frank Konrad, a concerned citizen, first brought the issue to council recently.
In a letter addressed to council, as well as the Ministry of Highways, Konrad outlined the dangers of the crossing.
The dangers include little signage and low visibility of the crossing when approaching, especially from the west. Because of this, Konrad says there could be tragic consequences.
“I think definitely something should be done soon,” Konrad says. “I don’t think it’s something that should just be pushed aside.”
Coun. Chris Moslin says that it will probably take time for anything to happen, but he would definitely like to see some signage to alert drivers and slow traffic down. Until that time, Moslin advises residents to go up to 19th Avenue to cross at the intersection because of the added safety of the traffic lights.
“In the future there will be something done, some improvements made for safety there for sure,” Moslin says.
He says Lynne Burch, the city’s chief administrative officer, and Mayor Brian Taylor are in the process of setting up a meeting with Highways.
“Personally I believe that there should be a pedestrian crossing there, with adequate warning for drivers and for pedestrians to get people to slow down,” Moslin adds.
“It’s not just a pedestrian crossing; there’s wildlife, the left turning (to A&W).”
Moslin would like to see deer signage as well at the crossing as well.
“The whole thing about that stretch (of road) is we need to make it safer for pedestrians and for deer and the drivers,” he says.
Moslin alludes to the other crossings in the city as examples of what the city would want there.
“If you want to see what the city wants to do there, well just go back and take a look at the crossing at Boundary (Drive) and at Kettle River Drive where the Trans Canada Trail crosses those roads, that’s what the city wants to see.”
Mayor Brian Taylor is enthusiastic about the potential of the project, saying that other groups involved, such as the Trail Society, would most likely have no problem with the changes.
“The trails group I think would co-operate,” Taylor says.
“We’ve identified the problem so I think we’re looking for a co-operative solution on it.”