A new crosswalk is coming to downtown Mission at the 2nd Avenue Bus Exchange to address safety concerns.
Mission’s council unanimously approved the new crosswalk at Monday’s meeting (June 19) and directed staff to implement it in 2023.
“Staff have done a lot of work on this and gone back and forth and had to listen to a picky council,” Mission Mayor Paul Horn said.
The total cost of the project will be $78,000. Council approved $50,000 to install the crosswalk with funds already allocated for the project in the 2023 capital plan. An amended motion with an additional $28,000 from the Public Safety Reserve for optional safety features was also approved.
The transit exchange is currently laid out to service buses and transit riders on both sides of 2nd Avenue between Welton Street and Horne Street.
Currently, the only formal option to cross the road from one side of the bus exchange and catch a connecting bus is to walk to Horne Street and use the marked crosswalk.
“The City has received concerns from residents about transit users regularly crossing 2nd Avenue at mid-block with the objective of connecting with bus transfers on the opposite side of the street, which makes this area susceptible to high-risk pedestrian/vehicle conflicts,” a staff report reads.
According to the report, the Mission Traffic and Transit Committee raised concerns about pedestrians crossing mid-block to access the library or to connect between bus stops. The staff report also indicated a potential for increased usage of transit and public infrastructure due to the growth and land development in the area.
The exchange had bus shelters installed in 2019 in addition to improvements to the sidewalk.
In December 2022, council was asked to consider four options to improve safety at the location. The options were provided through a study conducted by Urban Systems Ltd. The mid-block crosswalk option was favoured by council with modifications that included no curb extensions, additional safety signage and road painting, a 30 km/h speed limit and crosswalk let-downs for accessibility.
At Monday’s meeting, Coun. Ken Herar asked if it were possible to include a four-way stop to help to lower speeds. However, council agreed to proceed without it.
“I think we’ve sent this back 75,000 times and I think it’s time for it to not go back anymore. And I think it’s time for a decision so that people are safer as opposed to waiting,” Horn said.
The city’s engineering department hopes to start construction on the project this year.
READ MORE: Mission Self Advocates Group calls for end to transit strike
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