By Tyler Marr

Pedestrian signals near hospital to be considered by council

Jul 25, 2017 | 2:00 PM

After an incident that resulted in the death of an elderly woman this April, there has been a push to install a crosswalk near the Victoria Hospital.

In May, Coun. Charlene Miller asked administration to look at installing a crosswalk near the intersection of 25th St. W. and 10th Ave. 

A recent study of the crossing showed how in 12-hours, 60 people crossed. At its peak, 12 people crossed in one hour, according to transportation and traffic manager Keri Sapsford. These numbers would not usually warrant marked crossings, but the recent tragedy could influence the findings.

At Sixth Ave. W and 25 St. a study was also conducted.  Similar numbers were charted and the signal currently installed there is well above what is needed. However, Sapsford said when school is back in, these numbers could increase. 

It was suggested either the city install a marked crossing near the hospital or even move the signal from Sixth Ave. W. 

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Mayor Greg Dionne was in favour of the recommendations but was concerned about those crossing the road for a cigarette.

“This is a safety issue. They are crossing the street to have a smoke, in all those 50 acres that [the health region] owns, can you not allow a smoking area?” he asked. 

Sapsford said she had spoken with the health board in the past but they were unwilling to make changes. She spoke with them again Monday morning and the health region informed her only staff are not allowed to smoke on hospital property. The health region told her most employees smoke elsewhere and very few cross the street.

Communications officer with the Parkland Health Region Doug Dahl said their concerns were solely about the safety of those crossing the street near the hospital. He said additional programming at the facility has driven higher traffic to the area. He was also unaware of any case where someone was injured at the crossing venturing out for a smoke. Since the sidewalk on the West side of the street is not hospital property, he said people are allowed to smoke there.

The motion to bring the pedestrian control recommendations to council passed and will be revisited for final approval at a later date.

tyler.marr@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @JournoMarr