This project will install a flashing beacon and radar speed signage at the 2nd Avenue and 13th Street crosswalk. This will improve safety for students walking and biking to the elementary school in Fernie, at an increasingly busy intersection.
Fernie is a rapidly growing resort community. This year, 575 students were enrolled in Isabella Dicken Elementary School, exceeding the school’s carrying capacity by 167 per cent. The school is located on one of the town’s busiest streets and offers over 8 classes taught in portables. Before and after school, children arrive and exit mostly on foot or by bike. However, many students live rurally and 4 large busses also exit the school grounds each day. The school is centrally located in line with 2nd Avenue, our main downtown and central business district street, as well as 13th Street, a main artillery road to downtown, its adjacent residential neighborhood and the Provincial Highway #3.
At the moment, there are two main intersections used by students to access the school. While one of these intersections has a crosswalk with an overhead flashing beacon, the busiest of the two intersections (situated on the main downtown road, 2nd Ave and a major artery 13th St) currently has no stop signs or flashing lights to assist walkers/cyclists alike in crossing safely. School support staff have been asked to temporarily help manage both crosswalks before/after school as crossing guards.
This project will add a speed indicator sign and flashing pedestrian beacons to better get drivers’ attention and aid pedestrians and cyclists in accessing and exiting the school safely every day.
