The town of Redvers is enhancing pedestrian safety through a school zone safety project funded by a $63,542 grant from SGI. This project builds on earlier initiatives aimed at protecting children and pedestrians, including the installation of a crosswalk along the highway that helps students safely access local businesses during lunchtime.
Jenna Cowan, Assistant Chief Administrative Officer of Redvers, explained the primary goal of the project:
“We want to ensure that our children are safe, especially in high-traffic areas around the school. Prevention is key—we don’t want to be putting them in as a reaction; we want to prevent it. We don’t want anything to happen.”
One of the key features of this project is the installation of solar-powered, push-button flashing crosswalk signs at critical locations around Redvers. These locations include the intersection of Main Street and Broadway, the area near the tennis courts on Doctor Arthur Avenue, and McDonald Avenue.
In addition to the flashing crosswalk signs, removable speed bumps will be placed in school zones. These speed bumps will help slow down traffic while still allowing for street clearing during winter months.
“It’s reassuring to know that we’re taking steps to keep our kids safe and to give parents peace of mind," said Jenna Cowan
One area of concern addressed by the project is the limited visibility around the school, especially with parked cars near the sidewalk.
“Near the school, with the parked vehicles, it is hard to see those kids that are kind of waiting on the sidewalk trying to eyeball the driver. So it takes a little bit off of them of having to edge out, say, past the bumper of a car to get the attention of somebody that might slow down.”
Visibility issues are also present at the intersection of Broadway and Doctor Arthur Avenue, where a large hedge obstructs drivers’ line of sight. Cowan described this hazard as follows:
“At our intersection of Broadway and Doctor Arthur, there’s quite a large hedge on a property. It’s not impeding on our sidewalk or our boulevard, but it is large enough that even vehicles have to creep out quite a ways to be able to see if it’s clear for them to go. The students as well—you can’t really see them because of this large hedge.”
The equipment for this project is expected to arrive in February, and installation will take place once the frost leaves the ground in the spring.
"They’ve been ordered; they’re going to be on their way. I think they’ll be here in February sometime, and then it’s just a matter of waiting for a nice day and the frost to be out."
This initiative highlights Redvers’ commitment to improving safety for students and pedestrians in the community, ensuring a safer environment for all.