Crosswalks concern parents
Ward 3 Coun. Jamie Korab has asked city staff to look for solutions to possibly dangerous crosswalks near elementary schools in Cowan Heights
The Telegram
A tricky intersection near two elementary schools could soon see some attention after complaints on social media made their way to Ward 3 Coun. Jamie Korab. Residents in Cowan Heights have raised concerns over a pair of crosswalks on intersections near Cowan Heights Elementary and St. Matthews
School.
The intersection of Cowan Avenue and Frecker Drive, for example, sees no designated left-turn lane at the three-way stop. Even with a crossing guard located at that intersection, Korab says, concerns have been raised that more is needed.
The lack of a left-turn lane leads to impatient drivers making a left turn into a crosswalk, which Korab says has resulted in tense moments in the area of the schools.
“I see it daily,” he said. “My daughters went to daycare for the last three years in that area, so I’ve seen a lot of near misses.”
Korab says he’s seen the social media posts and been contacted directly by parents with
concerns over the traffic situation.
“Some parents won’t even let their kids walk to school unless they’re with them because they don’t feel it’s safe,” he said.
“If they don’t feel safe on a crosswalk and on a sidewalk going to school, then it’s time where we need to step up as a city and make sure our kids are safe going to school.”
At Monday evening’s St. John’s city council meeting, Korab raised the issue with the city’s traffic services staff, asking them to examine the area
and see what changes can be made in the area to help keep children safe.
Korab pointed to the example of curb extensions at Roncalli School in Airport Heights as one example that could be useful, though he’ll leave it to city staff to determine what options could work in the area.
“Hopefully we’ll get something done sooner rather than later. I don’t want this to drag on until after Christmas,” he said.
“The safety of the kids has to be at the forefront here.”
Because the issue has to do with the surrounding crosswalks and city infrastructure, the matter isn’t necessarily something the Newfoundland and Labrador English School District can help out with. Korab says it’s up to city staff to work to ease the concerns of parents in the area.
Currently there’s no timeline for when any traffic calming measures or changes to the crosswalks could be installed.