Improvements to a crosswalk across Carrot River’s busiest road, Highway #23, is a low priority for the highways ministry, so the town is looking at cost-sharing to move the project up on the list.
The current crossing near the intersection of Third Avenue, which sees the most use before and after school, is sparse and unnoticeable compared to more modern crosswalks across highways in other towns like Nipawin.
That’s why the Carrot River Young Women’s Club asked the town a year and a half ago to send a letter of support to the highways ministry. The town did and a study was done on the site in summer 2016. The conclusion was there was a need for an upgrade, but it was low on the ministry’s priorities.
“They stated that if the municipality was interested in cost-sharing the project, that it would move the priority higher in the Ministry of Highways’ project priorities,” said Kevin Trew, Carrot River’s town administrator.
The upgrade could cost around $30,000 to $40,000. The cost-sharing would have the town pay 50 per cent of the cost. Council said at their July 20 meeting that they wanted to investigate the project further and see if community organizations like the Young Women’s Club would be willing to fundraise to help pay for the cost.
“It’s a safety concern for kids going to school and we definitely support it,” said Bob Gagné, Carrot River’s mayor.
Trew said he’s hopeful an improvement to the crosswalk will also make drivers more aware of children crossing during other times of the day.
“The reality is: we have a highway right through the middle of our town.”
