Early praise for Essex County's first pedestrian crossover

Kirk and Charmaine Godard were some of the first people to try out Essex County's first pedestrian crossover, a new crosswalk design that aims to make roadways safer.

The couple was out for a leisurely bike ride Tuesday, during a visit from B.C. The crossover, which stops all traffic until the pedestrians and cyclists have completely crossed the road, is an important feature for busy thoroughfares, Kirk explained.

"The county roads don't seem to be an issue, but for these major roads? For sure," he said. "We feel much safer."

The crosswalk on Walker Road — between Highway 3 and South Talbot Road — was officially opened with speeches from Essex County Warden Tom Bains and Tecumseh Mayor Gary McNamara.

The county plans to launch an educational campaign with the Ontario Provincial Police in order to ensure drivers, pedestrians and cyclists understand how to navigate the crossing.

"We're going to have to remind people how it works," Bains said.

The crossovers are part of new provincial legislation introduced last year in the Making Ontario Roads Safer Act, which gives municipalities the ability to install similar traffic control infrastructure, explained McNamara.

"This is a great addition to the county and region," he said.

Tom Bateman, director of transportation services for the County of Essex said the county is willing to install more crossovers, if the locations call for it. So far, though, no others are planned.