Calls for enhanced pedestrian safety and reduced speed limits are intensifying outside a Sikh temple in Winnipeg following a recent car-pedestrian collision that left a woman with severe injuries. Witness Harpal Kaur Sidhu described the incident as distressing, emphasizing the need for better safety measures in the area.
Video footage circulating online captured the moment the woman was hit by a vehicle while crossing King Edward Street near the Gurdwara Kalgidhar Darbar on Monday evening. The victim is currently hospitalized with serious injuries, as confirmed by a family member to CBC.
Sidhu highlighted the recurrent hazards faced by pedestrians in the vicinity due to the absence of a designated crosswalk. The area sees a constant flow of people, including elderly individuals and families with young children heading to the temple, necessitating improved safety infrastructure.
Resident Prabhjot Singh disclosed that his family has prohibited his grandmother from walking to the temple post-accident, fearing for her safety. Expressing concern for the well-being of all pedestrians, Singh advocated for the implementation of a controlled crosswalk and a speed limit reduction akin to a school zone.
Jagdev Singh, another local resident and temple attendee, echoed the demand for enhanced safety measures, emphasizing the need for caution when crossing the road due to existing dangers. City councillor Devi Sharma acknowledged the necessity for improved pedestrian safety but acknowledged the complexity and time-consuming nature of the process.
The City of Winnipeg revealed plans for the upgrade of King Edward Street to enhance safety features, including sidewalks and pedestrian crossings. However, the project remains unfunded, with preliminary work slated for 2030 according to the city’s budget. Efforts towards improved pedestrian safety in the area are ongoing, albeit requiring coordinated planning and funding initiatives.
