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<br /> <br /> STAFF REPORT <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />TO: Mayor Keis and Members of the City Council <br /> <br />FROM: Bill Dircks, Public Works Director <br /> Bryce Shearen, CPRP, Parks & Recreation/Community Services Manager <br /> <br />DATE: November 17, 2021 <br /> <br />RE: Flashing Crosswalk System Installation – Labore Road Trail Crossing <br /> <br /> <br />ACTION TO BE CONSIDERED: <br />Motion to approve the installation of a flashing crosswalk system at the Labore Road trail crossing. <br />BACKGROUND: <br />Earlier this year, city staff removed the flashing crosswalk system from the Eli/Desoto intersection near <br />Little Canada Elementary School and changed the intersection to a three-way stop. The flashing <br />crosswalk system that was previously installed at this intersection is currently in storage and is available <br />for installation at another pedestrian location in Little Canada. <br />One of the possible pedestrian crossing locations that has been considered is the existing crosswalk <br />where the Thunder Bay-Westwind Trail crosses Labore Road. Staff has heard from several residents and <br />a member of the Parks and Recreation Commission that additional safety measures are needed at this <br />crosswalk needs to be more conspicuous to oncoming vehicles. After evaluating locations for the <br />flashing crosswalk system, staff has determined that the Labore Road crossing for the Thunder Bay- <br />Westwind trail would be the most effective use of it. <br />The trail crossing is mid-block with no controlled intersections within 650 feet and the speed limit on <br />Labore Road is 30 MPH. The Thunder Bay-Westwind Trail sees a lot of foot and bike traffic and it is <br />also a connection to the Maplewood trail system. Vehicles are required to yield to pedestrians entering <br />or in a crosswalk, and a flashing crosswalk system at this location would make the crosswalk more <br />visible to drivers when pedestrians are present. <br />There is no cost involved in installing the system at the Labore Road crosswalk as it has already been <br />paid for. There would only be a couple of hours of staff time required to get it up and running. <br />STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS: <br />Staff recommends approving the installation of a flashing crosswalk system at the Thunder Bay- <br />Westwind Trail crossing of Labore Road.