Calgary city council continues to debate a proposal aimed at improving pedestrian safety within the city.
Step Forward is a plan brought forward by a city committee which includes a number of methods the city can use, including lowering residential speed limits, improving maintenance of crosswalks, installing more crossing lights and building mid-block crossings in problem areas.
However, the most talked about issue in the document, namely the reduction of residential speed limits, won’t be on the table because council decided to wait for more information on the topic before making a decision.
They’re hoping to collect more information from the public on the impact a lower residential speed limit would have on pedestrian safety.
Many residents are on board with the prospect of reduced speed limits in residential zones because of how many children there are in Calgary.
It’s a situation that Ethan Nielson knows too well. The eight-year-old was walking with his sister to their piano lessons in Cranston when he was hit by a truck on March 17.
STARS Air Ambulance flew him to the Alberta Children’s Hospital in critical condition, with Ethan suffering from serious brain injuries and a fractured pelvis.
Medical professionals told Ethan’s parents that the prognosis wasn’t good.
“His chances of making it were not good,” said Jordan Nielson, his father.
Ethan remained in a coma for two and a half weeks before he started showing progress. A few weeks later, he was well enough to go home for a visit.
His family now says they are counting their blessings and doing their part to help families who have children in the hospital for long periods of time.
In 2014, the city says more than 200 people were hit and sent to hospital. Seven other people were killed.
The new proposal does come with a hefty price tag and Calgary has $15M set aside for short term plans over the next three years and $2.5M for an annual operating cost.
