This project will involve installing a cross walk across Rocky Point Road in Metchosin, crosswalk ahead pavement markings, School Zone pavement markings, appropriate signage as well as the creation of a waiting area for pedestrians to cross where no adequate roadside now exists. The primary goal is to provide more safety for students and others crossing the road with these safety enhancements and obvious indicators to drivers.
Hans Helgesen Elementary School is situated in rural Metchosin (population 5,067) in Southern Vancouver Island. Access to the school is on Rocky Point Road which is a major thoroughfare in the area. Parents taking their children to school often park on Windover Terrace, the road opposite to the school, and students cross over Rocky Point Road to get to school. There have been some incidents and near misses over the years as people cross the road. Safety has been the subject of Parent Advisory Council (PAC) letters to the school district and the District of Metchosin. News reports have featured parent concerns and highlighted their experiences.
The danger for students crossing the road is that there is no road safety crossing. The road is narrow and has tall trees on either side. There are no road markings to indicate that a school is nearby asides from a flashing sign, a distance from the school on one side and a small school zone ahead sign on the opposite approach to the school. Between 2017-2021, ICBC data suggests there were 3 crashes at the intersection. Drivers speed on the road as it is a relatively quiet road. In 2020, a driver was recorded travelling at 95km/hr in a 50km/hr zone and crossing to the other carriage to take the corner; thankfully this was outside of school hours.
Much needed funding is needed to: (1) install a crosswalk; (2) paint the words SCHOOL ZONE, according to Transportation Association of Canada standards, on the roadway approach to the school zone; and (3) formalize the road speeds ensuring they are decreased to 30kpm during school hours.
Read more about this project here:
Header photo source: Mary P Brooke, Island Social Trends (August 18, 2023)
