Community protest for new crosswalk on Principale

Pedestrians get stuck near Marché Laflamme as they attempt crossing this busy stretch of rue Principale. Some gathered March 31 to highlight how useful the proposed crosswalk would be. A petition is being circulated to provide Principale with another pedestrian crossing, between Frank-Robinson and Eardley. Those launching the move point out that “the current street arrangement is not well adapted to pedestrians”.

Gatineau Councillor for the ward, Audrey Bureau, cautions that a pedestrian crossing will not be built quickly. She believes the deadlines recommended by the petitioners are much too brief. “I told the people with the petition that their deadline is unrealistic,” said Ms. Bureau. She encourages residents to sign the petition, and also to “make a request to this effect to 311”. Ms Bureau is asking nearby merchants to send her a letter of support for a new walkway. The city will do its analysis this summer or fall; the results will be announced in the winter of 2020, noted the councillor.     

“I love taking my daughters for a treat in Old Aylmer, and we do it by bus,” one father told the Bulletin. “I’ve seen so many dangerous darts between traffic to get across right there, either for the bus or something else. All the work to improve the area for pedestrian traffic is working, now a crosswalk is simply a must.”

The distance between crossings at Frank Robinson and Eardley Road is 270 metres, leading many people on foot to ignore the signs and jaywalk across Principale.