Following an outcry from residents, the District of Squamish is seeking to extend school zone speed limits to an area where a toddler was hit by a vehicle over the weekend.
A two-year-old boy was struck on May 23 while riding his bike at the intersection at The Boulevard and Highlands Way North at about 2:30 p.m.
His injuries were not serious, but the incident sparked a petition from residents demanding that something be done to keep cyclists and pedestrians safe from oncoming traffic.
The high volume of fast-moving traffic in that area has been a major concern for many parents, especially since it serves as a route to the nearby Garibaldi Highlands Elementary.
The petition was started Monday, and within a day it had 680 signatures.
“It is unacceptable that the District of Squamish has not implemented a school and/or playground speed zone on The Boulevard between the lower roundabout at the top of Highlands Way South and Perth Drive, installed traffic speed control measures, such as speed humps like the ones on Skyline Drive, and allowed the university development to expand without a secondary access to Quest and the lands above via Mamquam [Road],” reads the petition, which was started on change.org by Jessica Boux.
Earlier this month before the incident, municipal staff told council they would be exploring traffic calming methods for Highlands Way North and Perth Drive. However, residents’ demands have since spurred further action.
A day after the petition started, the municipality’s director of engineering said in a council meeting that staff are working on a plan to lower speeds in that area.
“Given the incident, and given the attention that traffic in the area around the school’s getting in the neighbourhood in the last few days, we brought together the team again and looked at the numbers, looked at the guidelines — maybe leaned on the numbers a little bit — and we do believe that we can justify a school zone in that area,” said Chris Wyckham on May 26.
“Both down The Boulevard, between the two traffic circles, and also the lower section of Perth, just given the volume of children moving through those areas before and after school.”
Wyckham said that staff are still figuring out a timeline for when these regulations could come into effect.
There are considerations about when the signs can be made and when they should be placed in the area, he said.
“Whether we get them out there a week before school, or whether we wait until some time in August to get people used to them — we’ll have to put our heads together and decide what the best course of action is,” said Wyckham.
Considering the recent chain of events, it was arguably the highlight of a staff update to council regarding safe routes to school.
This initiative aims to create safer ways for students to get to their places of study. This includes a combination of changes in infrastructure and regulations, as well as the education of people using roads.
During the presentation, Dora Gunn, a sustainability co-ordinator with the District, said that by the end of this year, $2 million will have been spent on these kinds of infrastructure projects since 2016.
This would refer to creating things like sidewalks, crosswalks and signage, among other things.
There were a number of completed projects that she showcased.
Judd Road’s south shoulder, between Brennan and Cottonwood roads, was widened to provide more space for pedestrians. That cost $48,000. This would help people walk to Brackendale Elementary.
Guilford Drive’s south shoulder was also widened, and parking on one side of the road was removed. The price tag was $24,000, and it was for pedestrians going to St’a7mes School.
About $525,000 was spent in upgrading the Discovery Trail to a three-metre paved multi-use path. This would benefit students of Squamish Elementary and Howe Sound Secondary.
The new Hunter Place trail, intended to help students of Squamish Elementary and Howe Sound Secondary, cost $12,000.
There are also three projects currently in progress that are expected to be finished by this September.
In Brackendale, an upgrade to the stretch of Government Road between Depot and Axen will install a three-metre two-way path and a curb bulge. It’s intended for pedestrians walking to Brackendale Elementary and will cost $250,000.
Improved lighting and crosswalk locations for the intersection of Guilford and Clarke Drive will cost $300,000, and is intended for the students of St’a7mes School.
The Discovery Trail will also get lighting in a new section, and it’s expected to cost $50,000.
