Crossing the Trans-Canada Highway at any time can be a death-defying experience for Salmon Arm’s older citizens, but particularly so in the winter.
Katannya Woodruff, seniors’ representative on the board of Downtown Salmon Arm, asked for support in her push for a safer highway crossing.
She said seniors need a refuge in the middle of the highway because there’s often not enough time to cross the full width safely.
Woodruff said she spoke to city staff, who said a change in the light has been requested.
She pointed to the increased danger in winter “when it’s snowing and you’ve got these intrepid seniors trying to get across to our building.”
Other board members agreed crossing the highway in the winter can be tricky for people of all ages and abilities.
In response, Dale McTaggart, the city’s director of engineering and public works, told the Observer the city has asked the Ministry of Transportation to consider moving the traffic light from Ross Street up to the intersection at Tim Hortons. He said a pedestrian crossing at Ross Street would remain, with an island added, and then vehicles would not be permitted to make left turns. Complicating the plan is that fire trucks and emergency vehicles would still need to turn left there.
“They want to be able to make the left turn or go straight through – either one to reduce response time.”
