Iqaluit’s pedestrian safety road signs upgraded with ‘newer design’
City’s public works department behind the replacement of pedestrian-yield and crosswalk signs
A truck driver waits while a pedestrian crosses Queen Elizabeth Way, near D.J.’s Specialties, in Iqaluit on Sept. 20. The City of Iqaluit recently installed new pedestrian-yield signs around the city, replacing older signs. (Photo by Corey Larocque)
Road safety signs in areas of high pedestrian traffic have been upgraded in Iqaluit over the past two weeks.
The replacement of old pedestrian-yield and crosswalk signs comes a month after a pedestrian died on Aug. 10 after being struck by a vehicle on Sivumugiaq Street, formerly Federal Road.
However, city spokesperson and economic development officer Geoff Byrne said it was “just a routine sign replacement.”
“No specific incident or event prompted the installation of the newer design,” Byrne said in an email to Nunatsiaq News.
Need some street lights now, Iqaluit is a growing city.
That was a good move. As mentioned above, now we need the proper lighting around the areas where pedestrians use the crossings. That brings me to the most important point. Residents need to learn how to cross streets properly. Use the pedestrian crossing, and 3 or 4 way stopping areas. Do not assume that you can just start walking without looking to the left and right. Make eye contact! We are upon the slippery season of our roads, all participants have an important role to play; drivers and pedestrians.
Lastly, will anybody ever use the new light that was installed at the hospital/boarding home? I’d like to see it flashing and provide priority to whoever wants to cross. Just use it please, and stop running over the road where you like.
But is it even working yet? It looks like nothing has happened since the work to install it.
schools need to adopt new signs? finally they were approved awhile back .now for the by=laws and police officers to do a study and make sure it is working right or All Safety and Inclusion.
Now, if only the drivers can abide by the rules put in.
Iqaluit needs traffic lights to manage dangerous intersections for pedestrians and drivers in front of the hospital, 4 Corners, and hospital. Did I mention hospital. The city put up pedestrian signs there that many vehicles ignore.
And last but not least, put in permanent sidewalks from the AWG, around Queen Elizabeth. From the 4-way corner to the gas bar and Federal Road to the RCMP station. Then when they are installed, keep them clear daily during the winter. Pedestrians need to stay off the road and if they need to, then walk on the left facing the traffic