In hopes of making Timmins a little more friendly for seniors, the city is moving ahead with plans to install a new crosswalk at the intersection of Pine Street North and Fifth Avenue. The only thing that can stop it now is a scathing consultant's report.
It would be a big boost to residents of the Autumnwood St. Mary's Gardens Retirement Home, as they will be able to now cross an often busy Pine Street to get to the 101 Mall, as well as the St. Anthony of Padua Cathedral.
Upon its completion motorists traveling south on Pine would have to adjust to a new stop, at the crest of a hill.
"Installation is slated to be this summer on the premise that it meets all of the technical standards, detail engineering design will confirm that. We are proceeding with the technical review and the detail design as per the direction provided to us by mayor and council," Director of Public Works and Engineering Luc Duval told TimminsToday.
The funding for the crosswalk, which could be as much as $100,000, will come from from the city's road budget. Duval told council on January 23, that the money was found in the 'rout and seal' program for 2017. It is the process of repairing cracks in pavement, and has been described as a 'critical maintenance activity' in the city's asset management plan. The seal usually lasts between six and and twelve years. Duval told council Engineering Manager Pat Seguin felt that $50,000 would be 'more than adequate' for this summer's repairs.
"So we're just going to take $100,000 from the 'rout and seal' and earmark it for this project," he said.
When the idea was first brought to council on December 12, a petition with 152 signatures was read aloud by a representative of St. Mary's Gardens, Dawna Carrier, who explained the rationale for the request.
"The added distance of having to walk all the way up to the set of lights on Algonquin, makes the trip to the 101 Mall prohibitive for those who suffer from shortness of breath, and low mobility," she said.
"Additionally, the added parking metres on Pine now make it especially dangerous for our seniors who need to shorten their trajectory in order to make it to their appointments. Please let's not wait until a tragedy happens," said Carrier.
On February 6, city council approved proceeding with an RFP for preliminary engineering design of the crosswalk. Councillor Walter Wawrzaszek was the lone vote in opposition.
Statistics presented by the Engineering Department show that the intersection doesn't even come close to reaching the 'justified zone' according to the Ontario Traffic Manual, which would merit a crosswalk. The department however acknowledged the numbers are likely heavily influenced by the fact that there is a pedestrian crossing 110 metres away at Pine and Algonquin.
Dawna Carrier, a representative of St. Mary's Gardens, presented a petition to council on December 12. Andrew Autio for TimminsToday Duval said the consultant's report will include recommendations on the exact placement of the crosswalk as sightlines are an obvious safety concern, although there are very limited options.
A sentiment expressed by multiple members of council was that the intersection was a special case. St. Mary's Gardens is a sizeable complex which includes 66 independent living apartments, as well as 87 assisted living suites. It is also used as a polling station during elections.
"The signage and street markings will be similar to all other crosswalks we have in the City. If it is safe to do so, at this location, we expect to see a recommendation for an overhead cross walk installation with yellow flashing lights," said Duval.
Examples of this include the pedestrian crossing on Waterloo Road, in front of Wendy's, and at the MacLean Drive and Ninth Avenue intersection.
Since the idea was first discussed at council in early December, dozens of citizens have expressed concern on social media over everything from the sheer cost, to the crosswalk's effect on peak period traffic flow in the city's centre, to major safety concerns.
When asked how the challenges of installing a crosswalk in the tricky location can be dealt with, Duval was blunt.
"Great question and that answer will come from the professional engineers who will be tasked with the design and with ensuring that the crosswalk meets all safety standards of the Province of Ontario," he said.
A detailed consultant's report is expected to be back on a council agenda in the spring.
