A crosswalk will be installed on Dickinson Road.
On Monday, the District of Lantzville council approved the installation of a non-illuminated crosswalk on Dickinson Road and Oar Road.
The crosswalk will be installed at the end of the District of Lantzville Trail, which terminates on Dickinson Road. The crosswalk will consist of signage, thermoplastic line painting, and embankment modifications and will cost $3,250. Council also asked staff to look into the possibility of having some trees cut nearby to ensure the crosswalk is visible to motorists.
The project stems from a request made earlier this year by Lantzville resident Jennifer Phillips.
Speaking to councillors on Monday, Phillips described crossing Dickinson Road as “like playing a game of Frogger” and said she and her children as well as other residents are at risk of getting hit by vehicles.
Phillips also told councillors that a petition was signed by 20 out of 21 residents living along Dickinson Road in support of the installation of a crosswalk.
Coun. Mark Swain said the district needs to do something to slow traffic along Dickinson Road and improve pedestrian safety.
“You don’t have to spend much time on Dickinson Road to realize how few people actually follow the speed limit. It is going to get the reputation as a speedway by the seaside,” Swain said.Story continues below
How difficult is it to cross Dickinson Road (near Oar Road) in #Lantzville? Well ... you be the judge. pic.twitter.com/4B54HedliO
— Nicholas M Pescod (@npescod) April 26, 2016
Above: Jennifer Phillips and her children cross Dickinson Road.Although the motion was approved, council debated whether a crosswalk would create a false sense of security.
Coun. Will Geselbracht, who supported the motion, described Dickinson Road as a “raceway” and that a crosswalk won’t address the real issue of speed along the road.
Phillips said she was happy council approved a crosswalk but was hoping to also see lights and traffic calming on Dickinson.
“I am afraid that someone is going to get hit here one day,” she said.
No timeline has been established as to when the crosswalk will be installed.reporter2@nanaimobulletin.com