Cold Lake City Council has determined a crosswalk that has been a hot topic amongst downtown businesses will be staying right where it is, for now.
It was a tough decision for councillors voting on whether or not to keep the crosswalk located on main street between 50 and 51 St. The final result was 3-2 in favour of maintaining the crosswalk.
Coun. Bob Buckle and Coun. Duane Lay voted to remove the crosswalk, with Coun. Vicky Lefebvre, Coun. Chris Vining, and Mayor Craig Copeland opting to keep it.
Frustrations over lack of parking because of the crosswalk were brought forward by businesses through a letter to council. This prompted council to send out about 20 letters of their own to businesses along 50 Ave. The city received six replies from parents of children attending the Pirouette School of Dance, expressing their concerns with the crosswalk being removed.
Copeland explained he voted to keep the crosswalk as a safety measure for the kids who are using it daily.
“Right now, people are utilizing it. I wanted to keep it in for now, but I would probably vote not to keep it once the dance studio is out of there because I don't think we need it.”
He added, “Once the gymnastics and dance studio is built in the Energy Centre, then I am sure the council of the day will revisit that crosswalk.”
Prior to making a decision on whether it stays or goes, council instructed administration to review the city's options to enhance the crosswalk, in order to better determine how much the project would cost, and whether or not it was viable.
The next steps will be looking into improving the visibility of the crosswalk. Currently, there is posted signage and lines painted on the road, however, council would like to see it improved by way of lights, better signage or by being raised.
Raising the crosswalk above road level could cost about $110,000. The current crosswalk was installed using hot inlaid thermoplastic pavement markings, so raising it would require the area to be cut or milled.
Bump outs come at a cost of about $50,000, not including the possible need for storm water management at an additional price of $35,000.
Upgrading the lights is one of the more cost effective options, with a price tag of about $10,000 to $25,000, depending on the fixture. Any work needed to improve the crosswalk itself is an additional $15,000.
Another option is advance yield marking. Signs for the area would cost about $10,000. Similar to the lights, it too could require $15,000 of additional work.
Regardless of which option they choose, the end result would see a loss of four parking stalls.
Copeland said, “I understand that the business community feels the crosswalk isn't needed because they are scared of losing parking spots… I just voted from a safety standpoint for the kids.”
City administration recommended painting the crosswalk different colours so it stands out on the road, or making the crosswalk sign more visible.
“The business community downtown is multi-functional. You have dance studios and recreational sports activities inside of our downtown community. You have the theatre that also wants to have classes for kids. The downtown is multi-purpose,” Copeland expressed.
Council will review options for enhancing the area and make a decision on which route to take at a later meeting.
