The city is installing new crosswalks at a busy arterial road near the hospital.
Crews are installing “overhead flashing beacon systems” on 15th Avenue at the Irwin and Alward Street intersections to make the busy artery safer for all.
These intersections were previously marked with pedestrian signage and road paintings, but foot traffic will now be able to push a button to activate overhead illuminated signs before crossing 15th Avenue.
The brightly flashing signs will alert motorists to slow down and yield for crossing pedestrians, including students at Harwin Elementary School, visitors to Freeman Park and Studio 2880, hospital patients and workers, and residents who live nearby.
The upgrades to the crosswalk located at the intersection of 15th Avenue and Irwin Street were installed earlier this month and are already improving road safety for residents. The illuminated crosswalk at 15th Avenue and Alward Street, right across from the front entrance to the University Hospital of Northern BC, is scheduled to be completed by the beginning of October.
These crossings were identified as a ‘high priority’ in the City’s Pedestrian Crossing Strategy which was developed in 2020.
The Strategy provides a prioritization plan to implement pedestrian crossings as prescribed by the updated Pedestrian Crossing Control Guide by the Transportation Association of Canada.
Out of the 202 City crosswalks evaluated as part of the Strategy, 43 local crossings were recommended for upgrade or installation - 26 upgrades to existing crosswalks and 17 new crosswalks.
