Monday June 19, 2023 | METCHOSIN, BC [Updated June 21, 2023]
by Mary P Brooke | Island Social Trends
The District of Metchosin has received $14,350 in funding from the Vision Zero in Road Safety Grant Program for installation of a new crosswalk at Hans Helgesen Elementary School.
That’s a school within Sooke School District 62 (SD62), located at at 4983 Rocky Point Road in the rural community of Metchosin. The school population of K-5 students is 205.
The installation is scheduled to be completed this summer, ahead of the 2023-2024 school year which starts after Labour Day in September.
Metchosin community waited a long time:
“Children attending Hans Helgesen Elementary School, parents and members of the community will benefit from having a safer crossing at this location,” says Metchosin Mayor Marie-Térèse Little.
“This is something parents have been asking from Council for a long time,” Mayor Little added.
The crosswalk will include “crosswalk ahead” pavement markings, school zone markings, and a roadside waiting area for pedestrians waiting to cross. The project will be complete before school reconvenes in the fall.
“People in our community have long been advocating for more road safety measures near Hans Helgesen Elementary to keep students, family members, and staff safe,” said Mitzi Dean, MLA (Esquimalt-Metchosin).
“Working with the District of Metchosin, we’re listening to these concerns and taking action to improve safety,” said Mayor Little, who added her thanks to MLA Mitzi Dean, the provincial government, and Island Health for providing opportunities like Vision Zero to make roads in Metchosin safer for the residents and visitors to the community, said Mayor Little.
Paying for a crossing guard:
The District of Metchosin has approved funding for a crossing guard for Hans Helgesen for the 2023-2024 school year, as confirmed by Sooke School District 62 (SD62).
School buses:
SD62 currently provides two bus routes that serve the rural Hans Helgesen Elementary School community. Students and parents who register for the SD62 bus transportation option depend on that service for lifestyle and safety, and teachers as well (as in students being able to arrive and depart).
About the Vision Zero grant program:
The British Columbia Vision Zero in Road Safety for Vulnerable Road Users Program (Vision Zero in Road Safety Program) supports local governments, Indigenous community governments and non-government organizations to advance evidence-informed road safety improvements resulting in reduced vulnerable road user injuries and reductions in the severity of these injuries.
Grant applications were submitted by January 23, 2023. As announced on June 7, awards were given to 59 applicants in amounts ranging from $5,000 to $20,000 for use in projects from April 1, 2023 to March 31, 2024.
Other Vancouver Island communities which received funding this year include: Oak Bay, Songhees Nation (4 projects), Sidney, Duncan, Nanaimo, Campbell River, and Port Hardy.
Over $1 million this year:
Over $1 million was disbursed overall. The Ministry of Health and Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure (MOTI) contributed $600,000 in base grant funding, with the health authorities providing financial top-ups to maximize the number of projects funded
The Program is provided by the BC Ministry of Health and MOTI. The BC Injury Research and Prevention Unit coordinates the administration of the Program with the BC Government and regional health authorities.
This is the second year for the program. Last year, in the inaugural year, $564,147 was disbursed.
The Grant Program was established with the goal of generating immediate and long-term injury reduction benefits for vulnerable road users, especially in underserved populations. It will also help to advance the implementation of innovative, technology-driven, proven and low-cost road safety crash countermeasures.