The City of Williams Lake has completed upgrades to the traffic lights at two intersections, adding a feature that informs pedestrians when it is safe to cross the street, and which street is safe to cross.
At the intersection of Second Avenue and Oliver Street, and Eighth Avenue and Oliver Street, a voice will inform pedestrians: “Oliver, walk sign is on to cross Oliver."
“Late last summer, the City completed an upgrade of the traffic lights at Second and Oliver, adding street lights to all four corners, adding efficient LED lights, cameras to assist in tracking traffic flow, and an audio signal for pedestrian crossing,” says director of municipal services Kevin Goldfuss.
“This intersection and the one at Eighth and Oliver are now even safer for pedestrians, especially those who are sight impaired.”
The system is activated by pressing the buttons on the poles at the corners of the intersections.
“We are always looking for ways to make our city more accessible,” says Coun. Sue Zacharias, who chairs the City’s planning and operations committee. “I’m pleased we’ve been able to make these two busy intersections even safer.” A further audio upgrade to the intersection of Hodgson Road and South Lakeside Drive will occur this spring.