'It's not safe': Residents voice safety concerns over northeast intersection

Residents in a new northeast Calgary neighbourhood say an intersection with no official pedestrian crossing is putting people's lives at risk.

Pedestrians crossing 88th Avenue N.E. at Savanna Street in the community of Savanna in Saddle Ridge have to walk out into busy traffic with no crosswalk to help them.

The area's community association says that with the new Savanna Bazaar outdoor shopping centre about to open there and a new school year about to begin, it's a safety issue that needs addressing by the city.

"The traffic here is getting to be a bit much so we're concerned for pedestrians and especially children," said Sue Clark, president of the Saddle Ridge Community Association. "And we also have older residents that we want to keep safe."

"This intersection doesn't have any control whatsoever and we'd like to see at least crosswalks put in with the flashing lights so drivers can see people and can take proper action," said Clark, who says residents are contacting her to raise concerns. 

Many vehicles don't stop for pedestrians who walk out into the road and are often travelling at high speeds along 88th Avenue, making crossing a tricky task.

"88th is straight through from Metis Trail all the way to 60th, so it can get fast," said Clark. 

"It's not safe," said Kartar Singh Moody after carefully making it across the road.

"We should have a light here. They can't see you," said Moody. "A crossing would be much better."

Majok Tiir made it halfway across but some cars sped past, leaving him stuck momentarily in the middle of the road before continuing to cross.

"It's difficult sometimes. Cars come fast and I have to stop sometimes when I cross," said Tiir.

"I have to make sure cars aren't going too fast. At least if they can put some kind of light here, a stop light, to stop cars," said Tiir.

Clark is urging any residents who have concerns to call 311. She's also put the issue on the radar of Ward 5 councillor George Chahal. 

"It's the squeaky wheel theory: the more calls, the more likely action will be taken," Clark said.

The city says it will collect data at the intersection to see what sort of crossing is appropriate. 

"The city understands that travel patterns at this intersection are changing and we are collecting information including the number of pedestrians crossing here and traffic numbers," said Ravi Seer, manager of traffic for the City of Calgary.

"We do anticipate with the new shopping mall there will be changes to traffic patterns," said Seer, who says the city is anticipating more traffic using Savanna Bazaar once it opens in the coming weeks.

Seer says the city is also installing a new traffic signal at an intersection east of the location, which would be operational by mid-November.