The Hamilton Drain crosswalk is having some work done this week.
As part of Monday night’s regular meeting of council, Coun. Tina Comi asked staff for an update on the project, noting she had seen work being done at the site.
“I’ve had comments from many residents about lights being installed at the Hamilton Drain crosswalk. What will the mechanism look like?” asked Comi.
Director of public works, engineering and environmental services Peggy Slama provided council with an update of the work.
“Work had begun and the contractor is to be on-site this week to complete the installation of the pedestrian traffic signals,” said Slama. “Fingers crossed it does get completed this week. It’s possible they could be operational very shortly.”
First installed in 2019, the crosswalk at the Hamilton Drain Trail is located north of the Poplar Sideroad/Hurontario Street intersection close to Collingwood Collegiate Institute, St. Mary's Catholic School, and Elementary School Catholic Notre-Dame-De-La-Huronie.
Councillors last received an update on the project to swap out the flashing orange lights to red-yellow-green traffic lights at their Sept. 13 development and operations standing committee meeting. The change was deemed necessary as a consultant report indicated there was only about 50 per cent compliance by vehicles, causing council and staff to doubt the safety of the crossing.
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Collingwood staff recommended replacing the flashing lights with two traffic lights (red-yellow-green), which would turn red when a pedestrian pushes the button on either side of the street. The committee supported the change with a vote in favour of the recommendation at that time, and council voted to ratify the change on Sept. 27.
The original cost of the existing crosswalk was $75,000. To change the type of crosswalk was expected to cost an additional $75,000.
With files from Erika Engel.
