Improving Pedestrian Safety: Crosswalk Improvements Coming to Five Locations in Sooke

The District of Sooke is receiving $30,000 in funding from ICBC through their community road safety program to create two new crosswalks and install five flashing systems in the community --- helping make pedestrian travel safer.

This phase of crosswalk improvements includes:

• A new crosswalk with flashing lights on Phillips Road by SEAPARC front entrance;
• A new crosswalk with flashing lights on Grant Road by French Road;
• Flashing lights added to the Phillips Road crosswalk at the SEAPARC back entrance;
• Flashing lights added to the Church Road crosswalk on the Stickleback Urban Trail and Poirier Active School Travel Route; and
• Flashing lights added to the Otter Point at Rhodenite crosswalk.

Safely getting around town is important in any community. In Sooke, through recent budget engagement, residents are expressing this as one of the top priorities for our community.

Further, vehicle emissions are the greatest contributor of greenhouse gas emissions in Sooke. Notably, travel within Sooke produces nearly the same amount of emissions as travel to and from Sooke. “If we are going to make an impact toward our goal of reducing emissions by 50% by 2030, we need to ensure people feel safe walking around town,” says Mayor Tait. “While there is much more work to do, this is welcome progress. I extend my appreciation to our funding partners for helping with efforts for a safer, healthier Sooke. ”

The total project budget is approximately $50,000 with $20,000 being funded by District of Sooke Climate Action funding, made possible thanks to support from the Local Government Climate Action Program.

The work will be completed this fall.