Crosswalk effort to improve pedestrian safety
By Pam Wright
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Work is underway make six Chatham-Kent communities more pedestrian friendly.
An $180,797 bid from Sarnia-based DiCocco Contractors was selected to build seven new crosswalks in downtown areas.
The work includes the installation of new sloping sidewalks where needed to increase accessibility and safety.
According to Mark McFadden, the municipality’s head of engineering for traffic, transportation and underground infrastructure, the crosswalks came about as the result of frequent requests from business owners in the downtown cores.
There was also strong support from Chatham-Kent council, he said, adding councillors green-lighted the project in January.
McFadden said all associated BIA groups were consulted during the design phase of the project.
“The feedback was positive for each location,” McFadden said.
Blenheim, Wallaceburg, Dresden, Ridgetown and Tilbury will all see one new crosswalk built, while two new ones will be located on King Street in Chatham.
Thamesville was originally slated for a new pedestrian crosswalk but the community’s BIA opted out, as members didn’t want to lose parking spaces.
