The city will build a pedestrian crossover along the Spur Line Trail on Regina Street South this summer at a cost of about $125,000.

Regina Street South carries traffic volumes of around 5,500 to 6,000 vehicles per day and a count back on June 26, 2018 showed there were 677 pedestrians and cyclists crossing at that trail location during an eight-hour period. The split was 60 per cent pedestrians and 40 per cent cyclists.

One of the main challenges users face is crossing streets, particularly the elderly, parents with young children and persons with disabilities, the report states.

Stantec Consulting Ltd. analyzed data and initially concluded a midblock pedestrian signal (MPS) was warranted due to pedestrian volume and delays crossing the road — the same type of treatment installed on King Street at the Spur Line as part of light rail transit.

However, based on the criteria for installing traffic signals, the location is too close to the Erb Street East and Regina Street South intersection and isn’t supported due to potential queuing issues.

Pedestrian crossovers are typically used at midblock locations between signals where trails intersect with the road or where a crossing is required to accommodate people accessing transit. They’re most common at roundabouts, in which vehicles must yield to pedestrians crossing the street, the report states.

Last year, the Region of Waterloo installed a pedestrian crossover on Caroline Street South at the south end of the Willis Way. This is a push button-activated crossing that triggers flashing lights, indicating to vehicles to yield right of way to pedestrians.

A similar type of crossover is anticipated on Regina Street South.

Based on the Highway Traffic Act, all cyclists using a pedestrian crossover are required to dismount their bicycle, become a pedestrian and walk across.

The city’s transportation division plans to determine other priority locations for installing pedestrian crossovers as they’re a relatively new tool available to municipalities, the report says. The type of crossover required at each location is based on provincial criteria.