A neighbourhood push for a pedestrian crossover could see the multi-million-dollar Riverside Vista project altered or accelerated.
Residents are calling for the controlled crossing on Riverside Dr. at Ford Blvd. — some labelling it the "Ford Funnel" — saying it's a popular but dangerous spot to reach Coventry Gardens and Reaume Park on the other side.
"Yes, it's a bit of a death trap because it's an uncontrolled crossing. It's a very busy thoroughfare," says a resident of the area, Brenda Weeks-Clarke.
On Monday night, council heard from residents that because of a bend in the road the sight lines are poor for drivers to see pedestrians as they come around and high traffic volumes can leave little time to cross.
A picture of the intersection of Riverside Dr. and Ford Blvd. in Windsor included in the agenda for the regular meeting of council for the City of Windsor on September 17, 2018. (Photo courtesy City of Windsor)
Ward 6 councillor Jo-Anne Gignac has asked administration for options during budget talks to move the next phase of the project ahead to see the crossover built.
"If we can get the [Riverside] Vista project accelerated and get it going, I think the residents would probably be open to waiting until we get to Ford [Blvd.]," says Gignac.
The Riverside Vista project is seeing a complete rebuild of the road and is currently seeing nearly $7-million in construction between Riverdale Ave. and Lauzon Rd. Funding for project construction at Ford Blvd. — including the lighted crossover — is set aside in the 2024 budget at the moment.
Gignac says it's been a problem area for a long time.
"There have been near misses lots of times," says Gignac. "We did a mayors walk last year, the residents who appeared tonight also joined in the walk — we saw the volume of traffic."
A picture of the intersection of Riverside Dr. and Ford Blvd. in Windsor included in the agenda for the regular meeting of council for the City of Windsor on September 17, 2018. (Photo courtesy City of Windsor)
Weeks-Clarke has lived in the area for a few years now after moving from Toronto and can't believe there isn't a crossing already.
"It seems like, you know, the automotive city is so car-friendly and really doesn't give pedestrians any kind of assistance to get around," she says.
As far as she's concerned, even if a newly installed crossover has to be ripped up to be re-built once the Riverside Vista project reaches the area, it needs to be installed "ASAP".
"What is one life worth? That's my rhetorical question, really."
The cost of installing a crossover at the intersection was pegged by administration at upwards of $90,000.