ASSINIBOIA — In a media release issued Jan. 8, the Government of Saskatchewan announced close to $1.6M was awarded to support vital traffic safety improvement projects in 79 Saskatchewan communities, thanks to the latest round of grants from the Provincial Traffic Safety fund. The majority of projects aim to reduce speeding in communities.
The complete list of recipients can be found on the Saskatchewan.ca website under news, and it shows Assiniboia will be receiving $100,000.
The release outlined, "There are hundreds of municipalities in Saskatchewan, and every community has specific needs," Minister Responsible for SGI Jeremy Harrison said. "These grants are extremely beneficial because they fund safety improvements directly identified by each community. Thank you to everyone who took the time to apply for these grants and for working to make your communities safer."
Provincial Traffic Safety Fund grants are given to communities twice a year, using proceeds from Photo Speed Enforcement. Since the program was established in 2019, $13.1 million has been provided for 870 projects in Saskatchewan.
The Town of Assiniboia tells the Assiniboia Times, “This grant application is for solar flashing pedestrian crossings and solar stationary speed signs.”
Eligible projects must focus on one of the following traffic safety issues: speeding, impaired driving, distracted driving, occupant protection, intersection safety, aggressive driving, vulnerable road users, or medically-at-risk drivers.
In an interview with the TOA, Tina Dijkstra, Finance/Administration Coordinator also adds, “We have noticed over the summer that these areas of travel past our schools and within the playground zones that safety has been ignored while school is out and the number of vehicles speeding through are dangerous.”
TOA says the project will be focusing on the pedestrian safety of the youth in Assiniboia.
There are three sections of focus as follows:
Empire Road & Empire Place – The installation of a solar flashing pedestrian crossing will provide our youth with a safer option to cross from a densely populated subdivision of families with children, located across Empire Road and Highway 2 Â鶹ÊÓƵ. This crossing serves as the primary entrance to our community from the south.
The Intersection of 7th Avenue East & 2nd Street East – The installation of solar flashing pedestrian crossings will enhance the visibility of children as they approach the main entrance of Seventh Avenue School, which serves Preschool through grade four.
The intersection of 7th Avenue East & 4th Street East and also, the intersection of 4th Street East & Assiniboia Avenue – The installation of solar flashing pedestrian crossings at both intersections will enhance the visibility of pedestrian traffic, particularly for young students, effectively framing the Assiniboia Elementary School.
Incorporating solar stationary speed signs throughout the areas above would enhance awareness among residents and visitors regarding vehicle traffic, helping to ensure safer speed limits. The installation is expected to occur in the summer of 2025.
The Town says they are very grateful to be included in the recipients of the recent funding announcement and look forward to enhancing safety in the community, especially for youth.
