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Here's a blast...

by Adrian Barnes on 08 Sep 2010

 With all the road work going on around town, and all the urban trail development too, I can't believe that no one's done anything about the short but dangerous stretch of Columbia just west of the Miners' Hall where a lane tapers off on the south side of the highway. Today I was walking past and workers were putting the concrete barriers back into place.

For about thirty feet pedestrians, including dozens of school kids a day--rain or shine, snow or ice--are forced to walk on a shoulderless stretch of highway that is constantly travelled by REALLY BIG TRUCKS. One day, mark my words, somebody is going to get hurt there--and hurt really badly.

There are several potential solutions: close the lane in question (something I believe was considered when the new Miners' Hall to museum trail was being planned) and build a proper sidewalk along that stretch, build a proper shoulder, or--and this is the easiest possibility--build a stair case of some sort from the shoulder down to the lane so that pedestrians can avoid walking withing a foot or so of REALLY BIG TRUCKS.

At any rate, I wish somebody would do something about the only stretch on that entire highway that's completely unsafe for pedestrians--especially in a city that's billing itself, more and more, as foot traffic-friendly.

Comments

Dangerous stretch for pedestrians

by Sara Golling on 14 Oct 2010 at about 10:17.
Yes, it';s a bad stretch. I have a suggestion for the City: build a proper retaining wall below the highway and its concrete barriers, and build a walkway between the lane and the wider paved area just to the west of this "pinch-point". This would eliminate one section of nasty invasive spotted knapweed, widen the lane slightly, and make a safer alternative for pedestrians to use instead of the pinch-point. The disadvantages are that it would involve going up and down somewhat, and might not be ideal for strollers; and that it would involve some cost. But pedestrians already have one alternative -- they can use the new pathway that goes along the lane below Columbia. That lane makes a good route all the way from Nevada, and angles up to the paved lane we've been discussing.

 Good point, Sara. I was

by Adrian Barnes on 14 Oct 2010 at about 12:39.

 Good point, Sara. I was walking the new trail yesterday and had the same thought. I think it would even be a good idea for council to post a sign saying 'alternate pedestrian path indicating the new route. I still think stairs from the opposite direction would be a good idea, though...

YES --- Crazy Dangerous ---

by sammy on 20 Sep 2010 at about 15:15.
That section is bad enough in summer, let alone winter when the snow from the plow forces you to walk in the middle of the road. Try pushing a stroller through there in winter and I assure you it will be the last time you take that route. Unfortunately, I speculate that this is provincial highways land and it may be next to impossible to get them to do something. Side note: (Remember when the highways department ripped up the crosswalks they themselves had built in Rossland, just to spite the city...All at tax payers expense).