Pedestrians cross at the Queen and Grafton streets intersection Wednesday. Guardian photo
Charlottetown residents may have to get ready for the pedestrian scramble.
No, it’s not a new dance.
Charlottetown city councillors are considering a new way for pedestrians to cross one of the busiest intersections in the capital city’s downtown core.
A pedestrian scramble allows walkers to cross in any direction — even diagonally — because the lights go red in all directions.
The idea is not new.
It’s in place in Japan, New Zealand and Australia and has already been adopted at the busy Yonge and Bloor streets in Toronto, Canada’s largest city.
Now, Charlottetown city council is looking at making the intersection at the corner of Queen and Grafton streets, near the main entrance to the Confederation Centre of the Arts, a pedestrian scramble.
Rob Lantz, the councillor responsible for policing, says he’s intrigued by the idea. He said he will bring the idea to the police committee for further discussion.
“If there is a Young and Bloor in Charlottetown it’s that intersection,” said Lantz.
In Toronto, an automated voice reassures pedestrians that it is safe to walk.
Coun. David MacDonald first raised the issue during a meeting of Charlottetown city council on Tuesday night. He said he’d like to see either left-turns allowed at the intersection or the creation of a pedestrian scramble.
Currently, drivers travelling along Grafton Street cannot make a left-turn onto Queen Street.
“The problems are only going to get worse there because we are encouraging more pedestrians,” said MacDonald.
The police committee will discuss the idea and bring it back to council for a vote.
But Deputy Mayor Stu MacFadyen said the idea of a pedestrian scramble is nothing new for Charlottetown. He said that was in place until the early 1980s at that very intersection.
MacFadyen said it didn’t work then and he doubts it will work now with even more traffic in the city.
“The cars were stacking up,” said MacFadyen. “But it was great for the pedestrians because everybody moved at once. They went from corner to corner. It didn’t matter what direction they were going in. They could kiddy corner.”
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certainly from PEI writes: Anything to improve the pedestrian experience is good in my books.
Scramble intersections work well and should be employed.
Wider sidewalks and longer crosswalk lights would help too.
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Bad Paddy from York, PEI writes: Maybe we should wait until Islanders learn how to signal properly...or even signal at all..it is actually a safety feature supplied in your car, to the 90% of you, who don't seem to know about it!!!!...before we introduce a scramble.....
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KingStreetWestEnder from NS writes: Charlottetonians using a crosswalk ! Since when did they use cross walks anyway ! Anytime I returned to my homeland, they jaywalked right accross the street and they expect you to stop. I remember years ago theat Grafton and Queen used to have a crosswalk that ran diagnally through the intersection. It is nothing new to Charlottetown. While your at it PUT THE CROSSWALK SIGNS AT THE CROSSWALKS and not at the nearest pole closest to the crosswalk. Some crosswalk signs in Charlottetown are almost 20 feet from the crosswalk. I know of no other jursidiction in Canada that does this. Also the Confederation trail should have larger crosswalks , but with a big stop sign on the trail to tell people with bikes that they have to stop and not just roll through the street. A major problem with traffic in Charlottetown is the angle parking and the people who turn across traffic to get to the other side. Parallel parking is what you need on the main streets so there can be more lanes to direct the busy traffic through the city. In fact, University Avenue shouldn't have any parking in the three major blaock downtown after 1600 HRS. Left turning onto one-way streets on a red light is a great idea ! But put up the signs please or people will de doing at every light !
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bill from pei writes: what foolishness !
as if this was the only busy intersection !
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Mike C from Charlottetown, PEI writes: To be a pedestrian in Charlottetown is taking your life into your hands. Everyday I have to cross the streets of downtown and believe me stopping up short, running and jumping while walking through one of the designated walkways is common place.
Have said that, PEDESTRIAN's HAVE TO BE RESPONSIBLE TOO! I have seen twice a Mother with a child in a stroller walking up a side walk, then when they got to the pedestrian walkway literally swing the stroller out on the street in front of me, then glare at me. Sorry, my ESP isn't what it should be. You have to stop and let the drivers know your intention first. It's just common sense.
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vick from pe writes: Sorry folks but there are a lot bigger issue's you could be dealing with and spending money on for the down town then worrying about what young/bloor st do......young/bloor would have more people cross in 15 minutes then Ch'town would have cross all day..including peek tourist season!
Take the money and close off Queen/grafton-Victory row...allow for more attractions in the area......farmers markets (real farmers markets)...events...outdoor restaurants etc.......expand our parkades and teach Islanders how to use them (bigger signs leading to them lol) even if its only for the sametime as victory row......Lets face it folks most city's have their resident shopping (except high end corp's) in a mall on the out skirts!
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Former Islander from Halifax, NS writes: In Saint John, NB and other places in NB they use this system. It's great as a pedestrian because you can kiddy corner the intersection and you don't have to worry about a car trying to turn riding your ankles. As a driver when making left or right hand turns, you don't have to wait to see if someone is going to jump from the sidewalk in front of you to get to the other side before the light changes. I wish the Halifax Regional Municipality would implement this at the majority of their intersections. It would make drivers a lot less stressed at some of the busier intersections.
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joe from pei writes: Ya,it works in Toronto but it won,t work in Charlottetown because it will back the traffic up,unbelievable.Time for a change in council with some clear thinking.
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Transplant from PEI writes: The parking kiosk idea was going to solve the parking in the downtown area problem, and didn't cost taxpayers anything neither *snicker*
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Cindy from PEI writes: I remember that Corner it had that same set up years ago. I am only middle age and I remember it Hughes Drug Store was there. I have been saying for years why don't they bring it back. I think it is a great rememberance for visitors and a great way to keep car traffic and foot traffic at a even kiel.
I also suggest that they close Kent Street from Queen to University Ave. This road is a DANGER ZONE!!! No-one knows how to change lanes and people cut out like the own the place and People jay walk. Want to make extra money give 25.00 fines for jay walkers other cities do.
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Mell from PE writes: I guess that means an increase in towing services and medical costs!
Will there now be tow trucks and ambulances at this intersection or intersections??
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Old Townie from PEI writes: It used to be like that many years ago. Funny how it's going back to the old ways. I guess it must have worked then.
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Former Islander from Alberta writes: Since when is this a new way to cross this intersection? In the late 1950's and well into the 1960's (maybe longer) pedestrians could cross this same intersection in the manner being proposed today. Many times I crossed diagonally at Hughes Drug Store, over to the hardware store, and zipped down the street to the 5 & 10 (Woolworths) or Moore & McLeods. It seemed to work well then!
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Ignore my Ignorance from Memramcook, PE writes: Scramble?
Round About?
Who does the government think we are? Next thing you know there will be a law forcing us to use the signal light. Driving is too hard. I'm going to the Wal Mart to buy a set of roller blades and ski poles.
Motorists please try not to hit any high ranking Liberal officials as they scramble accross Charlottetown.
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head shaker from pe writes: We still have drivers who think the picture of the walking guy is a reminder of what they are to aim for.
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Scott from PEI writes: KingStreetWestEnder: a left turn at a red light only works from a one-way street to another one-way-street. They do this in Alberta. But we don't have any intersections like that in Charlottetown.
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JD from PE writes: I think this is great idea.
You used to be able to walk this intersection on an angle years ago.
I always wondered why they stopped it. But I guess some expert at the time decided there was better way to do things.
Well funny how we keep seeing many of the old things coming back and the same experts who didn't like them before is now gone and thank god.
Seems like no Government can make a decision without consulting THESE EXPERTS.
Well maybe these experts could suggest that the city installs fencing along the Kent Street Sidewalk to stop the jay walking.
Since the City Police will not enforce the NO JAY WALKING law maybe if we make it that the people have to actually climb over a fence to cross the street they will learn about using crosswalks and lights.
Not to mention if we stopped all the Jay Walking on Kent Street there would much less traffic congestion.
But in true city form i am sure they would have to consult with the experts and doing a million dollar study to see what they could do about the Jay Walking on Kent Street.
Bring back the Scramble and add some fencing..maybe electrical fencing as well on Kent Street.
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