Friendship Trail safety improvements coming soon

Projected costs for safety improvements at Friendship Trail crossings appear to surpass what has previously been set aside, leading the municipality to focus on highest priority improvements in the near term.

Those items mostly revolve around improving visibility for pedestrians, cyclists and motorists along the 17 road crossings for the trail in Fort Erie, a staff report presented at the May 11 committee meeting said.

The measures include: replacing existing bollards with high-visibility bollards, removing overgrown vegetation, installing warning signage at crossing, and installing yield lines known as “shark teeth” on roads to better show where vehicles are required to yield.

The proposals are the result of a 2020 budget item regarding improvements at the 17 crossings. At the time council approved $10,000 for a consultant’s analysis and $90,000 for the work.

“As the implementation costs…exceed the approved budget for this project, town staff will focus on high-impact improvements for immediate implementation,” the report said.

Councillor Nick Dubanow welcomed the plan for improvements, saying they follow guidance found within the Ontario Traffic Manual.

“I think this is the right way to do this, I’m very very happy with this,” he said.

The Friendship Trail has also been identified in the capital plan for replacement in 2029 and 2033.

“As part of these future works, tactile walking surface indicators will be installed at urban and suburban intersections, in accordance with the study recommendations,” the report said. “At that time, town staff will also review collected data and feedback to determine whether additional measures are warranted.”

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