Media Release: Town Installs New Sidewalk to make Pedestrian Traffic Safer on Busy Bunbury Road
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Thursday, November 3, 2016
This fall the Town of Stratford spent almost $25,000 to construct sidewalks at the intersection of Bunbury Road, Horton Drive and the Bunbury Mall which will also allow for a crosswalk to be installed. The Town has been working diligently for the last five years to see a crosswalk installed at this location and the addition of these sidewalks will improve pedestrian safety in the area.
While the streets in Stratford are provincially owned and operated, and therefore crosswalk installation is under their jurisdiction, the Town continues to work with the Department of Transportation, Infrastructure and Energy by recommending locations, such as this one, to improve resident safety.
"We have consistently heard from residents in the area that this was a safety issue for them", commented Stratford Mayor David Dunphy. "There are many families with children as well as seniors and other residents who are crossing this busy road to get to the library, for groceries and even to catch the transit bus. With their safety in mind, this has been on ongoing priority for the Town of Stratford to resolve".
Through the work of the Safety Services Committee, chaired by Councillor Steve Ogden, this project was continually brought forward for staff and Council to keep on their agenda. In the past Department of Transportation officials denied the Town's request for a crosswalk in this location however, more recently, agreed they would proceed if the Town constructed an adequate sidewalk for pedestrians to use once they have safely crossed between Horton Drive and the Bunbury Mall. With this new compromise, the Town of Stratford's 2016 budget included a capital expenditure of almost $25,000 to construct the necessary sidewalks.
"I would like to thank Councillor Ogden and his committee for their work and our overall commitment to residents in the area to not take no for an answer", added Mayor Dunphy. "Our staff work hard to find a resolution in these situations, alongside their counterparts in the province, and it's great to see that pay off for residents especially when it comes to a safety issue such as this one".
Motorists travelling in the area are reminded that the crosswalk lines will be painted in the very near future and that it will be fully functional once that happens. Motorists are asked to be extra cautious when driving in the area as both they, and the pedestrians, get used to the crosswalk.
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For more information please contact:
Wendy Watts, Community Engagement Coordinator
Town of Stratford
T: (902) 569-6921
E: [email protected]