A crosswalk has been added next to an elementary school in Metchosin that area parents say has been the site of hit pedestrians and even more close calls.

MLAs Mitzi Dean, Ravi Parmar, Mayor Marie-Therese Little of Metchosin and community stakeholders were on hand Friday (Aug. 18) at Hans Helgesen Elementary school for the unveiling of the crosswalk.

B次元官网网址淭here is nothing more important than the safety of our children and families, especially during the busy times of getting to and from school,B次元官网网址� said Mitzi Dean, MLA for Esquimalt-Metchosin. B次元官网网址淭hanks to our community, parents, Metchosin leadership and others who have been advocating for this new, safer crossing for a long time.B次元官网网址�

Earlier this year, the District of Metchosin received $14,350 in Vision Zero grant funding to install a crosswalk at the school across Rocky Point Road, which included planning for B次元官网网址渃rosswalk aheadB次元官网网址� pavement markings, school zone markings and a roadside waiting area for pedestrians waiting to cross.

This comes after parents and community members advocated to Metchosin mayor and council and local elected officials to make the school zone safer for all commuting to and from the area through measures like installing new, safer crossing.

In 2021, resident Morgan Bley was quoted at a council meeting describing the situation.

B次元官网网址淲e are bringing to council our deepest concern that another year is passing without the improvements to road safety that we really need to see in that structure of Rocky Point Road,B次元官网网址� said Bley.

She warned council of high congestion, speeding issues, and cars moving in every direction. She highlighted a personal story, where her toddler ran out of her grip along the busy road, but was luckily not hit.

B次元官网网址淢y heart stopped. People were honking. It was a horrible moment,B次元官网网址� Bley said. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 very anxiety-producing to have small children in tow, and to worry that someone is going to get confused with all the different directions people are giving.B次元官网网址�

READ MORE: Metchosin parents call for improved traffic safety at Hans Helgesen Elementary