The City of Nanaimo is analyzing data along Bruce Avenue to determine whether additional pedestrian safety improvements need to be made. The last review in the area was 2008. (Ian Holmes/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By Alex Rawnsley

CROSSWALK COLLISIONS

Notorious section of Bruce Ave. under review for pedestrian safety

Nov 13, 2019 | 12:04 PM

NANAIMO — The safety of a collision-prone intersection in Harewood, which hasn’t been reviewed in nearly 12 years, is back in the spotlight.

A 24-year-old woman suffered life-threatening injuries on Monday, Nov. 11 around 8:40 p.m. when she was hit by a car in the crosswalk.

A 55-year-old woman was killed at the same intersection in March 2016 after being hit by a vehicle in an early-morning collision. Police said at the time speed did not appear to be a factor, however weather and pedestrian visibility could have played a role.

The unlit crosswalk at Albion St. and Bruce Ave. has long been discussed as a troublesome intersection for the City, with Nanaimo RCMP flagging it as one of five problematic spots for pedestrian safety in November 2018.

City of Nanaimo manager of transportation Jamie Rose told NanaimoNewsNOW they actively review crosswalks for vehicle and pedestrian safety.

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“The last time we looked at that one was in 2008 and it didn’t flag any indicators as being in need of changes.”

The area is currently under review, through cameras and radar looking at vehicle movements, volumes, speeds and pedestrian movements.

However, Rose said the City is behind in collecting and analyzing the data due to extensive road construction in the area skewing results.

He expected the review will be finished by the end of 2019.

The data collected will be analyzed by the City and engineers, who will make a judgement call on whether additional service is needed.

Rose added fixing a troublesome spot like Albion and Bruce is a process and not as simple as installing infrastructure like additional lights.

“We need to understand what we’re trying to resolve. Whether that’s driver compliance or a speeding issue. It comes down to looking at the information and making the best decision and applying the best treatment.”

The site of Monday’s accident was not included in recent upgrades on Bruce Ave., which involved utility work, sidewalks and bike lanes between Third and Fourth St.

Nanaimo RCMP Cst. Gary O’Brien said responsibility for crosswalk safety falls on both drivers and pedestrians.

“The onus is on the driver to make sure the intersection is clear, however pedestrians have to be seen. They have to have reflective clothing on, you have to make eye contact with approaching cars.”

O’Brien said motorists must look ahead when approaching crosswalks and intersections and be aware of not only what is on the road but also what could be.

“Maybe no-one is in the intersection but they’re standing on the sidewalk, so gauge your speed accordingly. If someone starts to walk across that crosswalk, you have to be prepared to slow down and yield to them.”

alex.rawnsley@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @alexrawnsley