KPU upgrades Richmond campus crosswalk in response to safety concerns

Richmond campus students can walk a little easier now that the southwest crosswalk at Landsdowne and Kwantlen street includes a pedestrian-controlled light.

The upgrade is a response to the safety concerns posed by the crosswalk, which Kwantlen Polytechnic University identified a few years ago. For example, a student was previously injured at the crosswalk according to Karen Hearn, KPU’s executive director of facilities.

“It was directly after that coming to our attention that we made our approach to the city,” says Hearn.

Prior to adding the new pedestrian-controlled crosswalk, Hearn says the city had installed extra-large signage and painted new stop lines as extra visual cues for drivers.

Crosswalk lighting has also been improved, and some of the adjacent hedges were trimmed for better visibility.

“We just really encourage people to abide by the new crosswalk … and take the extra moment and be safe,” says Hearn.

The crosswalk cost $130,000, and those costs are shared equally between KPU and the City of Richmond.