A busy crosswalk in a popular tourist area has sparked a heated discussion on social media.
The crosswalk located at the entrance to Granville Island has been a source of frustration over the years, particularly during the summer months when it welcomes throngs of visitors.
On Monday, July 17, Vancouver police parked in the crosswalk while they assisted a youth who was in distress, resulting in additional congestion in the area.
Vancouverite Lucy Maloney took to Twitter to share a video of the crosswalk, which showed several police vehicles parked in one lane. Numerous people said they feel the area is particularly dangerous and congested while others say the area should be pedestrian-only.
One man wrote in a tweet that it is an "ongoing safety hazard for any pedestrian or cyclist using that crossing," while Blair Martin said "literally anything is better than the current configuration."
Lee Chamberland noted that she never gets an Evo home from Granville Island but gets one once she's past the entrance because it will cost "about $8 to get past that crosswalk."
A flabbergasted person wrote: I" haven't been to Granville Island for years. Is this a painted crosswalk with no signal? So the person crossing needs to pray that all 3/4 lanes of vehicles miraculously see them and stop?"
Vancouver Councillor Peter Meiszner told V.I.A. that he regularly rides his bike along the seawall and has felt nervous about venturing through the "dangerous crossing."
"I have personally found making the crossing here a bit nerve-wracking at times, as you are relying on vehicles to notice you in a busy area and come to a stop. I’d like to find a way to make it safer," he said.
City weighs in on 'dangerous crossing' at Granville Island
The City of Vancouver told V.I.A. that it has made changes to "enhance visibility" on the crosswalk at Anderson St and Island Park Walk, such as adding green paint and zebra markings, as well as lowering the speed limit from 50 km/h to 30 km/h.
Over the summer, the city plans to replace crosswalk signage with oversized versions, improve the 30 km/h signs by adding a yellow border for added visibility, add 30 km/h markings, and refresh crosswalk markings and green paint.
The bridge's support columns, located directly beside the crosswalk, present a "challenge to visibility" and drivers should use caution when they approach the crossing at the Granville Island entrance.
The city is also looking to install lights at the crosswalk but notes it will take roughly one to two years to complete the RRFB (Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacon) or a pedestrian signal since it "requires an electrical design, civil design and approvals with BC Hydro to connect to power."
Vancouver receives 600 requests per year for new pedestrian signals/RRFBs but is only able to "complete a limited number of locations, prioritizing the most pressing locations first."
The Granville Island crosswalk is ranked in the top 25 most pressing locations in the city due to the "high pedestrian/bike volumes, location, and being adjacent to all of the amenities on Granville Island" but the city can't comment on when it may get an RRFB/signal.
