By Lyonel Doherty, Times Chronicle
Osoyoos Mayor Sue McKortoff and Area C director Rick Knodel are fighting for the same thing – improved safety for pedestrians and cyclists.
Both directors on the regional board recently made requests to the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure (MOTI) to help bring added safety to their respective areas.
Transportation manager Jeff Wiseman was on hand to answer questions from directors during a delegation on Oct. 6.
Knodel started by asking if MOTI can provide a trash can in the parking lot at the junction of Highway 97 and Tucelnuit Drive.
Wiseman said this was not a priority for MOTI because they primarily serve highway users, not trail users.
Knodel also asked if it was possible to erect pedestrian awareness signs (for motorists) along Island Road north to Island Way. In the same vein, he requested that active farming signage be installed on Willowbrook Road, Green Lake Road, Sumac Drive and Black Sage Road. Knodel believes this would enhance safety awareness for motorists and cyclists.
Wiseman said he would arrange a meeting with Knodel and his signage manager to discuss these issues. But he noted that based on his experience, signs don’t generally solve these types of problems.
Knodel said he is looking for signage similar to what has been erected for the safety of cyclists on the east side of Skaha Lake.
McKortoff asked Wiseman if MOTI can install more pedestrian crosswalks on Highway 3’ “motel row” due to concerns about people running across the road.
Osoyoos Mayor Sue McKortoff is calling for more crosswalks on “motel row.” File photo
The mayor said Osoyoos is really encouraging bike travel by offering paths close to the highway. But she expressed concerns for safety when cyclists navigate the bridge in town where “it’s a bit dicey” and narrow. She suggested putting cameras on the bridge, which might help the problem.
Wiseman said MOTI’s engineering staff are revisiting the issue of crosswalks in Osoyoos in the wake of a previous study.
He said the solution is to make more efficient use of existing crosswalks as opposed to inundating the area with too many.
“If too many are not utilized sufficiently, it’s actually more of a safety issue,” said Wiseman, who believes fewer crosswalks that are used more regularly is safer.
Wiseman said he is not sure what would be accomplished by installing cameras on the bridge. But McKortoff said Town staff will talk to him about that.
