By Samantha Reed [1]
BELLEVILLE – The city’s most controversial crosswalk will soon be operational.
The crosswalk – located on busy College Street West – has been installed but not activated yet. This week council approved amending a bylaw that covers the regulation of traffic in Belleville by adding the new crossing to the schedule of traffic lights within it.
A group of residents at the Amica at Quinte Gardens [2] seniors’ residence approached city council earlier this year about their concerns with crossing the busy street. Residents asked council to install a crosswalk to create a safer way for them to get to shops and other amenities across the road.
City council [3] approved the proposal, but not long after Belleville Police Chief Cory MacKay warned city officials that the crosswalk would be unsafe. Police officers then held a presentation at the retirement home to explain to residents the safety concerns about the crosswalk.
The problem is that it is in a high-collision area where drivers already have a lot to look out for, police say. As well, the crosswalk is at the top of a hill, which reduces visibility for some drivers.
QNet News will be talking to residents at the retirement home about the new crosswalk.
More to come.