College Street crosswalk almost a go

By Samantha Reed

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 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 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.