The Town of Oliver wants another designated crosswalk on Bank Avenue, but the Ministry of Transportation isn’t crazy about the idea. Here, Mike Carter uses the existing crosswalk to access the other side of Main Street. Photo by Lyonel Doherty
The Ministry of Transportation has turned down a request from the Town of Oliver to paint another crosswalk at Bank Avenue and Main Street.
Mayor Ron Hovanes wrote the ministry last month about complaints from residents regarding the change in crosswalk location. There used to be two crosswalks there, but only one exists now on the north side of the intersection of Main and Bank.
“There have been a few close calls with vehicles and pedestrians since the (new) bump outs were completed at the unpainted crossing.”
The mayor said the bulk of pedestrians cross on the south side where there are no painted lines. This confuses people and drivers don’t seem to be looking at pedestrians crossing there.
Hovanes requested the ministry designate another crosswalk (where the old one was) to alleviate concerns about safety.
Town Councillor Maureen Doerr recently voiced concerns about this hazard, noting that many people still use this crossing, adding her worry that somebody will get seriously hurt there.
But ministry representative Jeff Wiseman said they would prefer not to install another marked crosswalk immediately adjacent to the existing one.
“It would be more desirable to encourage pedestrians to use the current marked pedestrian crossing.”
Wiseman suggested an advertising campaign to educate the public on the safety benefits of using the marked crossing. He also suggested temporary signage recommending pedestrians use the north side crossing.
