About 200 pedestrians a day jaywalk across Memorial Dr. to get to the Peace Bridge, according to city numbers tallied earlier this summer.
People darting across four lanes of traffic to get to the popular bridge has been a frequent sight since the $24.5-million helical steel structure opened more than four years ago, with no marked crosswalk at the bridge’s north end to connect it to nearby 8 St. N.W.
Similar counts in 2012 and 2013 also tallied about 200 jaywalkers per day unwilling to walk to the nearest marked crosswalks at 7 St., 10 St. or across the LRT overpass at 9A Street to access the iconic bridge, which crosses the Bow River and connects Sunnyside and downtown.
But, the number of Calgarians on feet braving vehicle traffic to use the Peace Bridge is expected to decrease dramatically when a new crosswalk across Memorial Dr. opens later this year.
Spurred by the new pedestrian strategy and consistent jaywalking numbers, the city has decided to build a marked crosswalk and install a traffic signal at 9 St. N.W.
“Given how many people cross the Peace Bridge — it’s 4,000 to 5,000 people a day — it makes sense to invest in the walking infrastructure in the area,” said Jonathan Chapman, programs coordinator for the city.
Chapman said staff thought the jaywalking problem “might settle down over time,” hence the four-year wait for a crosswalk.
“We see that there’s a consistent issue there,” he said.
“Since the pedestrian strategy was approved by council, we’ve been looking for some early actions that we can take.
“This will be one of the ways that we can take quick action in responding to what Calgarians are concerned about.”
The city decided not to put the crossing at 8 St. N.W. because the bridge’s height made it pricey and unfeasible.
Construction on the $400,000 project began two weeks ago and it’s expected the crosswalk and lights will be up and running this fall, weather-permitting.
“We’re a bit late in the season. If we have some heavy rains in September or even an early winter arrival, that could push the project further back,” Chapman said.
Jaywalkers? Solution add more crosswalks on busy roads!
The current crosswalk is on 7th and the new one they want to add is on 9th. Clearly the city wants to make memorial un-drivable. Maybe they should have a permanent Druh Farrell flow event where they shut it down and hand it over to bikes and pedestrians!
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Originally Posted by killramos
Pull out a shit ton of peace officers and watch every single person who Jaywalks, line em up like they do transit fee tickets
