Cross Walk

[Kitty]

Does anyone know if the city is planning on putting a proper cross-walk in between the Go Station and Iroquois Park? My husband crosses there every work day and it can be dangerous. A cross-walk might even inspire more people to walk from our area to the train rather than take their cars.

[Bundo]

It is unbelievably dangerous. I have seen people diving out of the way of hockey moms in mini-vans who would not stop for anyone.

There are two painted lines there for what purpose? I saw a young kid last week point and try to cross and some jerk in a car sped through yelling profanity out of his car window.

It looks like a half-finished crosswalk and let's hope someone is not killed before they do something about this. Go Train drivers coming and going out of that lot are discourteous animals. They spend their days in the rat-race rudeness that is Toronto and bring that attitude home.

BuNdO

Kitty Wrote:Does anyone know if the city is planning on putting a proper cross-walk in between the Go Station and Iroquois Park? My husband crosses there every work day and it can be dangerous. A cross-walk might even inspire more people to walk from our area to the train rather than take their cars.

[BrianC]

Send an email to Elizabeth Roy. If she can't do anything, she can at least post the info of someone who can.
Thjat way we can email whoever we should.

[Islander]

Henry Street is a Regional Road.

[BrianC]

Ya,,,,but it's all politics, and they all know who to contact, so that time isn't wasted on just complaining to nobodies

[sretav]

This subject has been discussed on these boards many many times in the past when Mark McKinnon was our Councillor. At the time, Town Council was made well aware of the issue repeatedly but time and time again nothing was done and I doubt anything will be done until something bad actually does happen.

I personally believe the safest thing for everyone would be a light where the crosswalk is now and another light at the other exit to the south parking lot on Victoria.

I'm one of the few people who rides their bikes to the station every day (or at least did until baby arrived) and am well aware that I have to be watchful for my own safety because drivers don't see me no matter how obvious I make myself. I'm sure the same is the case for pedestrians.

Technically the current crosswalk should give pedestrians the right of way to cross but we all know that realistically that is not the case.

Maybe this is something the new town council can look at again. New regime, another chance? We'll see.

[vrehorst]

I did some research about this a while ago, since I cross there once or twice a day.  The Highway Traffic Act says that a crosswalk is defined by lateral lines across the road and / or an area distinctly signed for the purpose of pedestrian crossing.  But the Ontario Traffic Manual, which is a great big huge book of standards for traffic markings for the province and municipalities, says that signs are necessary for crosswalks.  It says right on their website that Durham Region adheres to these standards...  surely they can pony up a few dollars for some signs and the few hours it would take a crew to install them?

Until then, when there's a lot of traffic I treat it like a crosswalk, pointing across the street until traffic stops for me.  Even though I'm from Toronto I don't particularly like dodging cars.

[Porch Light On]

This goes back to when there were no homes behind my house and we had geese meandering in our yard. Way back then, we complained so much we got new lights and lines that now exist because it was dangerous crossing on Henry Street. Unfortunately Mark (sorry but he had other priorities) didn't understand the issues that exist from 7:15-8:30 and from 4:30-6:15 at the GO Station because he, like many Town staff don't live down here or use the train. Let's face it, no one but us are down here at that time of day because the Town and Regional offices aren't open. With a great deal of complaining we got the lines because the traffic counts were done and low and behold someone did get nicked when they were traversing the road from Iroquios to the GO train.
After this, and just two year (or is it 3)the new parking area was created and hopes were placed on not having to put in a crosswalk. Ha ha ha.
The regional designation of Henry Street is to put it bluntly, a pain. They can't/won't pave it, the bridge won't be repaired because it isn't a priority and overall the issue of a crosswalk is not anyones problem. The Region of Durham has Henry Street in a "holding pattern" due to the widening of the 401, so any changes are pending.
I would recommend a note be sent to the Chair of the Region of Durham. The GO Train users are great in numbers and lets face it, you do make up a major force if you make enough noise. We did it in the past and got better lighting and the lines but I suspect after 5 years this doesn't help you much. For us it was a huge improvement especially late in the evening during the winter months.
All I can say is best of luck and from me, I'm glad I'm freelancing and not commuting.

[lakeman]

There was news a few months ago that GO was going to build a multi level lot in the existing NW corner lot.  All the more reason why they'll need a crosswalk, or at least a temporary one til the new lot is complete.

[Elizabeth Roy]

Hello all,

I have sent the info along to find out further details of having this improved for crossing.

I will post when I have an update.

Thanks
Liz