During periods of construction, large work vehicles carrying heavy equipment head through the Westgate community. Without sidewalks, Immaculate Conception School (ICS) Principal Donncha O’Callaghan is growing more concerned about student safety.
There are about 200 students at ICS, many of whom have to walk along the edge of the road when heading to and from school. School District 57 also has a bus route along Cathedral Avenue, and high school students walk home down Westgate Avenue after getting dropped off at a Frontage Road bus stop.
O’Callaghan feels these kids need a safe place to walk, especially during winter’s slippery conditions. He hasn’t heard of any incidents or injuries but says there have been a few close calls.
“We have had a bus jackknife across Cathedral and block Cathedral and that was in some wintery conditions,” he remembers.
The developing community will eventually be finished and include even more families and young children. O’Callaghan wants sidewalks so students and families, both current and future, can enjoy the neighbourhood safely.
“There’s going to be continued growth in this area. We’re going to see more families and more kids walking in this area and I think it’s critical that we provide a safe way for them to [walk].”
O’Callaghan is heading to Council on Monday night to share these concerns with Prince George city councillors. He’ll request a sidewalk be installed along Cathedral and a crosswalk put in on Westgate at the intersection of Westgate and Cathedral.
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