A council conversation around jaywalking at the Isabella and Gibson Street intersection could lead to changes.
A staff report on the troublesome intersection was presented to council at a meeting on May 5. In it, staff acknowledged that jaywalking is an issue, and that many students leaving the high school cross the intersection diagonally.
“Based on staff observations, the jaywalking appears to be influenced in part by the physical layout of the intersection,” states the report from Zach Emberson, Manager of Bylaw Enforcement. “Isabella meets Gibson Street at a 70-degree angle, which creates a shorter and more direct crossing route from the north side of Isabella to the south side of Isabella through the Gibson Street intersection.”
Coun. Bonnie Keith, who lives a block away from the intersection, mentioned experiencing several close calls and suggested a study be undertaken to explore possible solutions.
“I had an experience at that intersection where I was on Isabella going to make a right onto Gibson Street and I had a person cross diagonally in front of my car as I was turning,” said Keith. “My concern is that we are going to have a fatality there.”
She asked staff to investigate a traffic engineering study at this intersection with recommendations of possible solutions including a red light camera, and the cost of a sidewalk on the north side of Isabella Street.
After considering the fact a new school, new recreation and cultural centre and new 90-unit apartment building are slated to be added to the area, Councillor Paul Borneman suggested a broader study be undertaken.
Council agreed, and has requested staff return with information on a potential study related to traffic and pedestrian crossings along Isabella, Gibson, Joseph/Church streets.
