BIBLE HILL – Don’t look for another crosswalk on a section of Pictou Road to be installed anytime soon.
The Village of Bible Hill recently approached the Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal Department to see if it would install a crosswalk and overhead signage on Pictou Road at Village Line Avenue.
A letter from the transportation department’s Rob Jerrott was read to the village commission on Tuesday night, indicating it’s “not desirable” to install a crosswalk in that vicinity.
“This location is not desirable and may, in fact, put pedestrians at increased risk,” said Jerrott in the letter, adding the setup would be unexpected by motorists.
“Also this is a less densely developed part of Pictou Road with a 70 km/hr speed limit. Placing an unwarranted or inappropriate crosswalk can indicate to pedestrians a safer location to cross and can lead to an inappropriate level of complacency on the part of pedestrians.”
Jerrott suggested pedestrians would be “better served and safer” to select a safe gap in traffic to cross.
Village clerk Bob Christianson estimated the cost of the project, had it proceeded, could have been upwards of $40,000.
Commissioners agreed not to push the issue any further.
“It sounds obvious we can’t go further,” said village chairman Tom Burke.
Commissioner Lois MacCormick was pleased the commission at least tried.
“A resident in a wheelchair came to us and asked … (now) it’s on the record we tried,” MacCormick said.
