It appears Dresden will be getting a new student crosswalk device after all.
Due to the discontinuation of the adult crossing guard program, Chatham-Kent staff is recommending to install pedestrian crossing devices at several location in Chatham-Kent, including Dresden.
A pedestrian crossover ‘type B is being proposed to be installed on North Street at Dresden Area Central School.
The uncertainty surrounding the future of Dresden’s elementary school had impacted the decision making process for the street crossing issue in Dresden.
However, staff ended up including Dresden in their recommendation, despite the cloudy future for the school.
“A review of Lambton Kent District School Board’s Pupil Accommodation Report 2015/2016 has identified Dresden Area Central School as a candidate for closure but does not provide a definitive time frame for this to happen,” said Mark Ceppi, engineering technologist, in a staff report.
“The report also indicates the students would be relocated to a reconfigured (kindergarten to grade 12) Lambton- Kent Composite School, also located in Dresden. This will change the pedestrian traffic patterns in Dresden and potentially create the need for a new PXO in the St. George Street and Trerice Street area.”
Ceppi says in his report a ‘type B’ pedestrian crossover is one of three new versions of the PXO that was introduced in the Ontario Traffic Manual in 2014.
“It consists of poles on each side of the crossing with two signs, audible pedestrian pushbuttons on each pole, and rectangular rapid flashing LED beacons mounted on each pole facing both directions,” Ceppi wrote.
“One of the signs is mounted on a mast arm that extends over the roadway. Additional Advance warning signs, no parking signs, and pavement markings are required. Street lights are required to illuminate the crossing at night and concrete work may be required to meet accessibility regulations.”
The adult crossing guard program was cut from the Chatham-Kent budget this year, however council has extended the program until November, giving time for the installation of the new crosswalk devices.
Council is set to vote on the recommendations at tonight’s meeting.
It gets underway at 6 p.m. at the Civic Centre in Chatham.
I am a parent of a child at D.A.C.S.. I like most residents of Dresden area signed the petition to keep the crossing guard. That being said with the program being cancelled we most definitely NEED a crossing light there. Children utilize that all year long whether the be to and from school or using the playground during non school hours. I for one have my fingers and toes crossed that the vote gets approved.