Councillor Tanya Vrebosch, who is the Chair of Engineering, Public Works and Environmental Services, says the city has not yet given the green light on creating a crosswalk on the busy thoroughfare.
“The City is collecting data and information and upon receipt, will be reviewing it,” stated Vrebosch.
“Once that review is complete the City will make further comment.”
See related story: Algonquin accident proves fatal
The North Bay City Police are also waiting for direction from the city.
“We haven’t been involved yet with the city with regard to any ideas related to that,” said Chief Shawn Devine.
“We would certainly be open to get into discussions with the city and provide our views or observations but really that will be a city decision with regards to whether they decide to put in a crosswalk. The enforcement of that crosswalk would then be the responsibility of the police service.”
A petition called “No more deaths on Algonquin Avenue” is just past the halfway mark of the goal of 1,000 signatures.
See the petition: No more deaths on Algonquin
The petition came up after a tragic accident along Algonquin Avenue near Lansdowne led to the deaths of two elderly people in early May.
Petition author Cheryl Foy says she drives by that section of road every day.
“Every time, I'm reminded about the accident,” she told Care2. “I see people dodging traffic there to cross the busy street to get to and from their appointments and I'm concerned for their safety.”
Foy says she didn’t personally know the 80-year-old man and 74-year-old woman who were struck and killed there in May, but decided to start her Care2 petition to prevent similar tragedies. The elderly individuals were hit by an SUV travelling north as they were crossing Algonquin Ave. from a parking lot on the east side toward a medical building on the west side.
“I don't know the individuals who lost their lives and I've never known anyone who was hurt there,” Foy says. “I don't even use that building and I've never parked at that parking lot. I am just a concerned citizen.”
Foy has plans to present her Care2 petition signatures to City Council. She hopes something is done, even if her solution is not deemed feasible.
“If it is determined that a crosswalk is not feasible, I'm hoping a suitable solution is implemented,” she says. “The city needs to either find another parking lot and close the one in the dangerous location, or look at possibly moving to a better location. It is a very busy street and parking has always been an issue.”
