Crash clears way for better crosswalk

By Mark Squibb \ May 18, 2023

A traffic accident at a busy intersection in Paradise has paved the way for council to install a connection to a nearby trail.

Last year, the Town issued a request for proposals to investigate and design a better solution for a busy crosswalk at 1682 Topsail Road near Marie’s Mini Mart and the Octagon Trail access.

Councillor Deborah Quilty reported last week that Pinnacle Engineering presented the most desirable proposal package and was thus awarded the engineering service contract. The design includes installation of a pedestrian refuge island in the Topsail Road median.

Folks may remember the previous effort to increase safety at the site was delayed as the Town had to wait for the new lights to be delivered. In the interim, flags were provided to residents to carry across the street.

Then, about a month after the new lights were finally installed, a vehicle knocked them out of commission.

“On April 15, 2023, a vehicle accident resulted in the traffic crosswalk lights being damaged beyond all repair,” said Quilty. “This unfortunate incident resulted in an opportunity to reinstate the traffic lights in an improved configuration, as recommended in a March 2022 report by traffic consultants. Also, the Town would like to capitalize on the opportunity to add a crosswalk and accessibility feature to the design, including a section of concrete sidewalk and trailhead, apron, and tactile plates. As neither of these items were considered by the consultants’ design proposal, Pinnacle was asked to provide us with a contemplative change notice for consideration.”

That change notice includes traffic light pole base design and relocation ($3,000), sidewalk walking trail connection design ($1,500) and topographic surveys ($500) for a grand total of 5,750, HST included.

The Town budgeted $250,000 for crosswalk improvements, and while there are funds to cover the cost of the change order, the extra cost to replace the damaged lights could push the project over budget, although Quilty noted it may be covered by an insurance claim.

Council had already voted on the matter via an e-poll of council on April 26, and so last week’s vote was just to rubber stamp what had already been voted on.

“As we all know, this is probably our busiest section of the town, traffic-wise,” said councillor Patrick Martin. “There’s a lot of pedestrian activity in that area, with the trails and connectivity. It was unfortunate that we had a traffic accident over there, which incurred most of the costs we are incurring. But I’m really happy that we’re going to be doing a Topsail Road sidewalk walking trail connection for connectivity to the trail. I think that’s going to be $1,500 well spent, for accessibility with people with strollers or anyone that wants to walk across Topsail Road to get to the trail. So, in this case, it’s a good change order. We don’t usually like change orders, but in this case, it’s positive.”

Councillor Glen Carew also spoke to the motion.

“It’s unfortunate that we were waiting quite some time for a piece of equipment to fix those lights,” said Carew. “We waited so long to get it fixed, and I don’t think it was in place a month, and down it came with the traffic accident. So, it’s unfortunate, but this is going to be a much-needed piece of infrastructure in the Town.”

Carew asked when construction will begin. Quilty said she hadn’t been provided with a start date but would find out and e-mail the information to all of council.

CAO Lisa Niblock added the Town was trying to schedule construction in accordance with other traffic projects.

The motion to ratify the approval of the change order passed unanimously.