As you heard on AM800 News Friday morning, the city has approved a new pedestrian crossing in Walkerville and it has some business owners excited.
Ward 4 Councillor Chris Holt got approval from the city Thursday. He's using his ward funds along with some ward funds from councillors Bill Marra and Rino Bortolin for the $69,000 pedestrian activated crosswalk.
The crossing at Chilver Rd. and Wyandotte St. E. is right across from the Twisted Apron. Owner Katie Robinson tells AM800 News it's been a long time coming.
"We are so excited, there have been days where I've actually had to go outside to help people cross the street," she says. "We get a lot of seniors in the neighbourhood that don't necessarily walk here, they drive and if they need to cross the street it's a pretty far distance between lights."
The added safety is something she's looking forward to.
"We've had a few fender-benders at the intersections since I've been here and I've been here almost seven years. We did have a pedestrian get hit, he survived but it was a terrible accident," says Robinson. "So it's more for the safety of the people than the businesses for me, that makes me excited."
While safety is the major factor, Robinson acknowledges the ability to cross more freely will increase foot traffic.
"It's going to make it busier, it's going to make it more walkable, I think people will spend more time in the area because they can get to both sides and do more things," she says.
Holt hopes the crosswalk will be installed before summer.
— with files from AM800's Rob Hindi.