Thunder Bay to install more crossovers in 2017

Officials with the City of Thunder Bay hope to install another three to four pedestrian crossovers in 2017, after the first one went into operation in November.

Changes to the Ontario Highway Traffic Act in January allowed municipalities to install new types of crossovers, which offer the option of different signaling systems to alert drivers that pedestrians are set to cross a roadway.

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Although city hall has deemed the first crossing which was installed at the corner of Algoma Street and Cornwall Avenue a success, don't expect to see them replace existing traffic light-controlled intersections, according to traffic technologist Ryan Love.

"To install a full intersection like the ones at Central [and] Carrick would be roughly $150,000," he said. "[For a] crossover, we're looking at 30 to 40 [thousand]."

Despite the lesser cost of installation, as well as a lower operating cost, Love said that administration is prioritising installing crossovers where no form of traffic control exists, before the city starts decommissioning existing intersections.

In addition, city hall generally won't replace traffic control until it's either reached the end of its lifespan, or is deemed no longer necessary, Love added.

When the new intersection at Carrick St. and Central Ave. opens on Friday, the city will have 112 controlled intersections.