MOOSE JAW — The City of Moose Jaw plans to install new rapid rectangular flashing beacon (RRFB) pedestrian crossing lights on Grace Street this week.
Two new RRFB pedestrian crossings will be installed on Grace Street between 11th Avenue Northwest and 13th Avenue Northwest. This includes one east of the Gordon Road entrance, where the community mailbox is located, and one in place of the existing overhead amber beacon crossing.
Both locations are mid-block crosswalks that carry higher risks as there is no specific mechanism to force traffic to stop like a stop sign or signalized intersection.
Installation is expected to occur between Feb. 17 and 21, weather permitting.
When activated, the units will operate for about 12 seconds to allow pedestrians to cross the road safely. The installation of these crossings is a part of the city’s Safe Routes to School initiative, which included the new school zone perimeter classification and 30 km/h speed zones.
These RRFB units are similar to what is currently in place at the Kinsmen Sportsplex, Wood Lily Drive (east side), and Manitoba Street East and First Avenue Northeast (Giant Tiger). The purpose of the rapid flashing beacons is to draw drivers’ attention to the presence of pedestrians who wish to cross at these locations.
Implementation of these units provides more effective driver yield rates when compared to signage and line painting alone. The RRFB pedestrian crossings will be seen more frequently around Moose Jaw as the city’s engineering services department identifies more locations where these units can be effectively utilized.
These two RRFB pedestrian crossing units, along with others, will be supplied and installed using SGI Grant funding from the Provincial Traffic Safety Fund Grant program. For more information on this funding, click here.
