WOLFVILLE, N.S. — Pedestrian and vehicle traffic have been a long-standing problem at the intersection of University Avenue and Main Street in Wolfville.
At peak times Acadia University students cross the street between the campus and the athletic complex in a steady stream, backing up traffic on both streets.
While collisions aren’t frequent, a student was struck and seriously injured by a vehicle last fall.
So it seemed like bold thinking when an online survey started circulating asking about a “walkway crossing.”
The survey preamble says a current issue that Acadia and the town are experiencing is traffic congestion, and mentions the University Avenue intersection.
“Our team is building out a project plan to develop a solution to this congestion problem through the implementation of a pedestrian walkway crossing allowing traffic to flow continuously while prioritizing pedestrian safety,” the survey says, and concludes with the sentence “Please keep in mind that this is a simulation.”
It asks questions about pedestrian and motorist concerns, safety, traffic congestion, and asks, if a crossing were to be implemented, if the preference is a pedway, skyway or tunnel.
But the survey didn’t come from the town or university.
“I have no idea from where it spawned,” Wolfville mayor Jeff Cantwell said. “It’s not generated by us, I think it’s someone in the the public, or a student.”
He said there is an issue at the intersection at times, and “the real issue is pedestrian safety.”
The town is looking at increased street lighting at the intersection, speed limit reductions and other possible solutions, he said, adding the town has been talking to the university about the problem.
Cantwell said the biggest issue is at class-change time, the beginning and end of the day, and during exams.
“It would be nice to do something, but I don’t know that either the university or ourselves have the money and the resources to afford a pedway.”
He said a tunnel would be easier but also costly because of underground infrastructure.
He said it could be something as simple as hiring someone as a crossing guard for a couple hours a day to make the crossing safer.
Acadia spokesman Scott Roberts said the survey didn’t originate with the university, “but I do know the town is looking at (the intersection).”
Changes are the domain of the town, he said.
“They own the infrastructure, so it’s something the town would have to lead,” Roberts said. “If we want to engage in a conversation later about the crossing, and whether or not there’s a role for the university, I think that’s probably something for further down the road.”
He said pedestrian safety is the biggest issue at the intersection.
“Any time we can make a crossing safer, regardless of where it is, we’re happy to part of anything that looks at how we can do that better.”
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