Lower Sackville councillor wants to look at Beaver Bank Connector safety following pedestrian death
Posted Dec 5, 2018 03:17:00 PM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
The death of a Lower Sackville man killed last Friday trying to cross the Beaver Bank Connector has renewed calls for something to be done about the dangerous crossing.
RCMP say the 60-year-old was near the off-ramp Highway 101’s Exit 2 when he was struck by two vehicles.
The connector is often used as a shortcut for people living at the Sackville Manor Trailer Park, which has no quick access into Sackville’s main business area.
Lower Sackville councillor Steve Craig plans to bring a motion before council on Tuesday to explore options to improve safety in the area, including a pedway.
“I don’t know what it takes to actually put one in, and that’s the issue here,” Craig told NEWS 95.7’s The Rick Howe Show. “People have said it could cost upwards of $5 million to do that.”
He added, if a pedway were to be installed, HRM would have to partner with the province on the project because it involves a 100-series highway.
Craig says there used to be a shuttle in that area, but it’s his understanding it wasn’t often used.
“We have conversations throughout the municipality where people won’t walk 100 metres to take an intersection when crossing the road,” he said. “It’s human nature to take the shortest distance.”
Until a solution can be found, Craig says people will need to be vigilant and realize the connecter is not meant for pedestrian traffic.
