Residents in south Windsor still have concerns as reconstruction is set to begin on Cabana Rd. next week.
On Monday, fencing and equipment are expected to start being staged at the site with shovels in the ground on Tuesday.
The project will see Cabana Rd. widened from Howard Ave. to Provincial Rd. to four lanes. There will be new bike lanes on both sides of the road, new sidewalks and new storm sewers installed along with new streetlighting. Sanitary sewers are staying put.
Area resident John Tomlinson supports the widening, but feels engineers haven't addressed the issue of students crossing the road to get to Roseland Public School.
"We've already had one death of a student previously on Cabana Rd. at Karen St. — we don't want more," says Tomlinson. "We're saying this is a very dangerous situation and no one seems to be listening to our concern."
A public information session is held ahead of Cabana Rd. in Windsor widening between Howard Ave. and Provincial Rd. Photo taken May 24, 2017. (Photo by Ricardo Veneza)
Despite public consultations and an open house at Roseland Public School on Wednesday night, Tomlinson feels he still needs to push for his concern to be heard.
"They haven't addressed the issue that I'm raising which is the school crossing issue. They're interested in moving traffic — traffic and engineering is all they think about," says Tomlinson. "I think the school board, if I may say so, is at fault because they haven't looked at this as an issue either."
Project Manager Jane He says the engineering team and contractors are aware of the school crossing concern.
"We'll try to keep the existing school guard crossing at Karen St. and also the full road reconstruction won't start until the school vacation," says He. "We will make an effort to ensure the safety crossing. We are going to meet with the schools and the school boards as well."
Senior Engineer and Project Manager for the Cabana Rd. reconstruction between Howard Ave. and Provincial Rd., Jane He, attends a public information session on the project on May 24, 2017. (Photo by Ricardo Veneza)
Tomlinson is concerned four lanes of traffic will mean faster moving cars and a potentially more dangerous situation for crossing students.
"Given the fact that the planning — or the lack of planning — has never seriously considered a [traffic signal], a flashing light or anything that would provide more safety for the crossing," says Tomlinson.
The first phase of the project is expected to be completed by the end of the year, weather permitting.
One lane of traffic both east and westbound will remain open during construction.
A public information session is held ahead of Cabana Rd. in Windsor widening between Howard Ave. and Provincial Rd. Photo taken May 24, 2017. (Photo by Ricardo Veneza)