Mapleton council will consider funding the construction of a pedestrian crossover (PXO) on Wellington Street (Wellington Road 11) at the intersection of Andrews Drive in Drayton next year.
On July 11 council approved a recommendation from assets and infrastructure manager Paul Hinsperger to consider including the PXO in the 2018 capital budget.
Council also agreed to seek location approval from the County of Wellington, as the crossing will be located on a county road, with the understanding the county will assume ownership and future operating and maintenance costs.
The resolution approved at the meeting also calls for the transfer of a crossing guard employed by the township from the intersection of Wellington Street South and Edward Street to Wellington Street South and Andrews Drive.
A staff report estimates the cost of the Andrews Drive intersection crossover to be between $5,000 to $7,000.
A mid-block PXO between the Edward Street and Andrews Street intersections was estimated at $60,000 to $70,000 and would have been subject to preliminary engineering work to determine if existing grades in the boulevard would allow for a crossing due to provincial accessibility requirements.
“I fully support this. I think it’s great – one of the best things we can do to protect our citizens,” said councillor Dennis Craven.
However, he added, “I just think it’s unfortunate that we couldn’t get something together for Alma.”
Mayor Neil Driscoll asked Mattina, “In discussions with the county will you be asking them to cover the cost of the crossing guard or will that remain the responsibility of the township?”
Mattina replied, “The county’s not interested in maintaining a crosswalk at this location, or on County Road 11.
“And if Mapleton residents desire it, and council approves it, then the understanding is that Mapleton Township will pay for the initial solution and the county will assume the maintenance costs from there forward.”
“So we’ll be paying for the crossing guard?” asked Driscoll.
“Yes – the crossing guard is still there … and, yes, we will continue to pay for that crossing guard,” Mattina replied.
