Sudbury pedestrian crossovers 'long overdue,' says councillor

Pedestrians feeling uneasy about crossing busy Sudbury streets will breathe easier this week, thanks to a new pedestrian crossover in a high-traffic New Sudbury area.

The city plans to demonstrate use of the crossover — the first of 20 planned — tomorrow morning at the intersection of Barrydowne Rd. and Woodbine Ave., just a short walk from Cambrian College.

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"It's been long overdue," said city councillor Al Sizer, "we've heard about the incidents that have occurred in the last year with some of the pedestrian accidents. We're hoping this will be a step in the right direction."

The locations were selected because they have high traffic volume and currently no crosswalks, Sizer said.

Sudbury resident Ray Laporte said it's imperative for the city to draw drivers' attention to pedestrians.

"You've got to be constantly vigilant," Laporte said, "there are so many people who when they get into their cars are lost in their minds and not available to the other person on the road."

But motorists need to be educated on the difference between a crossover and a cross walk, said constable Dan Kingsley of the Greater Sudbury Police Services.

"You'll see that the painting is different and that no vehicular traffic can enter any portion of the crossover while it's being occupied by a pedestrian," Kingsley said.

The city said all 20 crossovers should be installed by the end of this year, with more expected in 2017.