After a long wait and debate, the student-safety concerns in front of Cobourg Collegiate Institute are being acknowledged and the town council has decided to authorize a bylaw that will establish a new school crossing at King Street East and Abbott Boulevard along with a crossing guard. Since the building of 2 new schools (CCI and CR Gummow) in the last 2 years pedestrian and vehicle traffic have increased, and complaints have been received concerning congestion, near-misses and parking violations. The latest incident involved a student being hit by a vehicle while crossing King Street East the second such incident in the past year.
Meetings have been held to discuss possible solutions, which have included Cobourg Mayor Gil Brocanier, staffers from the police service and public-works and legislative-services departments, principals from both schools, and a Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board representative. While the crosswalk is a short term solution, long-term plans include the realignment of Cottesmore Avenue to line up with Abbott Boulevard, and possibly a new set of traffic lights at the reconfigured intersection.
In Barry Thrasher’s report said at the committee of the whole this past Monday night, plans include a traffic study by the school board and education in the schools with the help of police. As well, there’s the construction of the new school crossing at a cost of $1,500 for signage and pavement markings. Financial implications also include the cost of the crossing guard at this site — $1,350 per year plus benefits.
The bylaw will go to regular council next Monday for final approval.