Concerns with excessive speed by motorists passing through the playground zone in McLennan along Highway 2 have prompted town officials to forward a letter to Alberta Infrastructure & Transportion requesting the installation of pedestrian crossing lights.

Excessive speed by motorists and several close calls involving pedestrians are strengthening the case by McLennan town council and residents for installation of crosswalk lighting system on the east side of town by Hamelin-Leiding Memorial Park. “I feel it’s a top priority to have crossing (pedestrian) lights installed at the park along Highway 2 as soon as possible,” says McLennan Councillor Lawrence McNeil, who has been lobbying hard for the implementation of immediate changes since being elected in the fall of 2007. McNeil, who resides on the south side of the busy arterial near H.W. Fish Arena, says he’s concern lies with children who routinely cross the street in the early morning and late afternoon hours to get on and depart from area school buses. He’s also concerned about the well-being of children in the community who frequent the park and skateboard park on the east side of the arena facility. And he’s not alone. Also jumping on the public safety bandwagon this past week was Sharon Johnson, a local mother in McLennan, who expressed her legitimate concerns in a Sept. 10th letter in the Express. “I watch my kids cross (the highway) to go and play at the playground and the skateboard park and I shutter every time. Even when I walk them across I get nervous,” she emphasizes in her recent letter. Public concern surrounding public safety and excessive speed among many motorists using the busy roadway arterial have been a long-standing issue within the community of approximately 800 residents – many of whom agree that the time for action is clearly now. Whether or not these real and very valid concerns are acted upon will ultimately be up to Alberta Infrastructure & Transportation – the provincial government department responsible for safety and maintenance of the highway. McNeil has requested that the municipality forward a personal letter of support to Minister of Transportation Luke Ouellette calling for the installation of pedestrian crossing lights was also submitted. A second letter emphasizing the serious nature of the matter was subsequently forwarded by municipal administrative assistant Lorraine Willier (on behalf of the town) to Alberta Infrastructure & Transportation on Sept. 2 of this year. “The volume and speed of vehicles travelling through the Town of McLennan has many residents concerned with the overall safety and well-being of children within our community,” she states in the letter. “We feel a crosswalk light would be a tremendous asset both to the children and motorists which commute on this road as 3rd Avenue is recognized as the provincial highway passing through town. The Town of McLennan feels this intersection warrants the installation of a pedestrian crosswalk light, especially for the safety of children in our community.” And the town would like to see it done sooner rather than later – an opinion shared wholeheartedly by Johnson, who wonders what it will take for the province to take action. “I certainly hope it’s not going to be at the expense of someone’s child or children, who when crossing the street get high by a vehicle going way too fast through the playground zone,” she stresses.McNeil, meanwhile, points out the need for a pedestrian crosswalk lighting system in McLennan along Highway 2 is just as important as the systems in place in neighbouring communities such as High Prairie and Nampa. He says if it’s good for the goose, it most certainly should be good for the gander. “Both of these communities have crossing lights for students and there is considerable improvement in the alertness and consideration of motorists,” he acknowledges. McNeil says he is considering the option of starting a petition in the event that the recent request by the municipality to Alberta Infrastructure & Transportation falls upon deaf ears.