'I've outrun the odd train': Safe rail crossing is being presented to Saskatoon council Tuesday
Keeping pedestrians safe in Pleasant Hill is the goal of a proposed pedestrian walkway over the rail tracks being presented to council this week.
The transportation committee will see the design concept for a railway crossing in the west industrial area at 19th street and Avenue N — an area which sees a lot of pedestrian traffic.
Fred Martin lives in west industrial area and walks the area daily.
“I’ve outrun the odd train,” Martin told CTV News.
That’s not something Martin recommends, but with train tracks a block from his house often the only route, he admits it does happen.
“I had a railway man in a truck stop me and say this is not a path. He says, cross at the intersection, but everyone uses it as a pass,” according to Martin.
Fred Martin lives in west industrial area and walks the area daily.
It’s a safety concern for residents, especially parents whose kids walk to school nearby.
“They’re concerned about their children going to St. Mary’s,” he said.
That’s one of the reasons council’s transportation committee will see a report Tuesday detailing a drawing for a safer crossing over the railway tracks beside the school.
At this stage it’s just being put forth as information. It was a resident who first brought this proposal to light two years ago.
“There are lots of folks who cross there already, we can see the trails through the snow. So I brought that forward to council and administration has been working with CP Rail to see if there’s a crossing design that could work for everybody,” Ward 2 Councillor, Hillary Gough told CTV News.
Gough says, the name of the area “west industrial” doesn’t reflect the volume of pedestrian traffic there.
“Sounds like an industrial area. There are houses being built right behind us. More and more people are living in this area, and so we need to provide residential level access to the area,” she says.
The issues don’t end there because the nearest safe and legal crossing for pedestrians is blocks away.
“This gap in terms of where you can legally cross is big and unusually big in terms of the whole stretch of rail here,” she said.
This crossing, if completed as suggested, would connect the west central corridor pathway which is a safe pathway along the railway tracks. It runs from Idylwyld Drive, following the train tracks through to the Meadowgreen neighbourhood. That pathway is already underway with a portion completed near Idylwyld.
While this project is still years away from being concrete, according to Gough, it could now be a small step closer to reality for those who live here. The presented crossing is on the City of Saskatoon Website.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Israel attacks Iran, Reuters sources say; drones reported over Isfahan
Israel has attacked Iran, three people familiar with the matter told Reuters, as Iranian state media reported early on Friday that its forces had destroyed drones, days after Iran launched a retaliatory drone strike on Israel.
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
Nearly half of China's major cities are sinking, researchers say
Nearly half of China's major cities are suffering 'moderate to severe' levels of subsidence, putting millions at risk of flooding especially as sea levels rise.
Prince Harry formally confirms he is now a U.S. resident
Prince Harry, the son of King Charles III and fifth in line to the British throne, has formally confirmed he is now a U.S. resident.
Judge says 'no evidence fully supports' murder case against Umar Zameer as jury starts deliberations
The judge presiding over the trial of a man accused of fatally running over a Toronto police officer is telling jurors the possible verdicts they may reach based on the evidence in the case.
Health Canada to change sperm donor screening rules for men who have sex with men
Health Canada will change its longstanding policy restricting gay and bisexual men from donating to sperm banks in Canada, CTV News has learned. The federal health agency has adopted a revised directive removing the ban on gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men, effective May 8.
Colin Jost names one celebrity who is great at hosting 'Saturday Night Live'
Colin Jost, who co-anchors Saturday Night Live's 'Weekend Update,' revealed who he thinks is one of the best hosts on the show.
Sports columnist apologizes for 'oafish' comments directed at Caitlin Clark. The controversy isn't over
A male columnist has apologized for a cringeworthy moment during former University of Iowa superstar and college basketball's highest scorer Caitlin Clark's first news conference as an Indiana Fever player.
'Shopaholic' author Sophie Kinsella reveals brain cancer diagnosis
Sophie Kinsella, the best-selling author behind the 'Shopaholic' book series, has revealed that she is receiving treatment for brain cancer.