SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE
Ecology North is calling on Niven residents for help in pressuring the territorial and municipal governments to improve pedestrian safety on the Ingraham Trail.

Klaus Scheuhing walks his bicycle on the shoulder of Highway 4 near Niven Gate toward downtown on Monday. Ecology North is calling on users to express their experiences and observations on the safety of the highway for walking and biking. - Simon Whitehouse/NNSL photo

Representatives from the organization's transportation issues committee want sidewalks installed on both sides of the highway from the 49 Avenue and 48 Street intersection to Niven Gate, as well as a crosswalk at either Niven Gate or at the Northern Frontier Visitors' Centre. The hope is to improve safety for walkers and bikers.

While the idea has been ongoing since the Niven area was first settled over a decade ago, Ecology North board director Doug Ritchie says there remains obstacles to moving forward with safety improvements.

Improvements have stalled because the Department of Transportation hasn't planned for such upgrades on the highway and the city is reluctant to take over the strip in its current state, he said.

Ritchie says he is hoping Niven residents will come forward with their own experiences and viewpoints to put pressure on both governments.

"We are interested in hearing people's story, whether or not they have safety concerns, and trying to see if we can break the logjam between the city and the GNWT," said Ritchie.

"(The GNWT) would be willing to give it to the city in a moment's notice, but the city doesn't want to take it simply because there would be a lot of work that would have to be done on that road."

At this point, the issue has not come to the council table for public debate, although Mayor Mark Heyck said council has recognized the need to take over the strip in its strategic plan.

As municipal traffic grows in the future due to improvements to the solid waste facility and the Giant Mine boat launch, the city's usage is bound to increase.

"Our main concern in taking over the roadway is the condition of the road, particularly at the turn off to the museum and the legislative assembly," said Heyck.

He added the foundation of the bridge between Frame and Niven Lakes regularly deteriorates from underground water flow.

"Year after year, the road tends to buckle. A repair will happen, and, within a month or two, it is back to the roller coaster that that road can sometimes become."

Discussions between the city and the GNWT continue, with Heyck saying any transfer of the highway and subsequent improvements would be "at least" two years, with the item likely to come to council within a year.

Transportation issues committee council representative Phil Moon Son admits the issue has been an ongoing one for a number of years and one he heard while campaigning in Niven. During the election, he did not commit to taking over the road and this week said there could still be other options that could be explored in order to improve safety.

"I am kind of feeling mixed on the issue," said Moon Son, pointing out there would be liabilities if the city took the strip over.

"I say let's do it if we can get some GNWT funding. We don't even need to recover all of it."

Moon Son said the highway is becoming increasingly dangerous, but other improvements could be made. Chip sealing part of that trail, for example, could end up being cheaper than maintaining the highway, he said

Other committee members have proposed other additions to the area to make it safer, such as a stoplight at Niven Gate.

"It would seem to make sense to have a stoplight at Niven Gate, but they say the traffic volume doesn't merit that," said committee member Tasha Stephenson. "I don't know if that still holds now that they have put the Niven Heights condos in there."

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