Concerns Raised About Hazardous Intersection

Officials at Metropolis at Metrotown, Burnaby's largest shopping destination, are raising alarms about a particularly hazardous intersection that has become a daily gamble for pedestrians. According to Breanna Guy, who oversees security and safety at the mall, the crosswalk near the Metrotown SkyTrain station and the mall—located next to the busy parkade exit to Central Boulevard—is becoming a hotspot for dangerous interactions.

Urgency for Change

Guy expressed her concerns during a transportation committee meeting on November 21, stating, “It’s only a matter of time before an incident occurs at this busy intersection. The urgency to catch a train or hurry into the mall has led many pedestrians to take reckless risks.” She showcased footage revealing alarming pedestrian behaviors, such as crossing outside designated lanes and ignoring "do not walk" signals.

Statistics Highlighting Safety Risks

Moreover, Guy pointed out the mounting congestion within the parkade leads to driver frustration, often causing them to engage in reckless maneuvers to exit safely. Statistics from the Insurance Corporation of British Columbia (ICBC) underline these fears: there have been 24 reported crashes in this very intersection from 2019 to 2023, raising red flags for safety officials.

Concerns from ICBC

Tom Webster from ICBC echoed Guy's sentiments, highlighting his concern about the frequency of pedestrian traffic intermixed with vehicle flow at the intersection: “It’s a statistical train wreck waiting to happen.” Burnaby RCMP have ramped up their presence here, exemplified by recent enforcement efforts where officers issued 16 jaywalking tickets in just one hour.

Lack of Progress on Safety Measures

Unfortunately, Guy revealed that attempts to address the safety concerns with the city’s engineering department earlier this year yielded few results. As the holiday shopping season approaches, mall staff are bracing for an influx of traffic, further complicating an already precarious situation.

Proposals for Improvement

Proposals on the table to improve safety include allowing right turns on an advanced green during peak hours, implementing a pedestrian overpass or underpass, synchronizing traffic signals with train schedules, and launching public awareness campaigns about pedestrian safety.

Challenges and Future Prospects

Transportation director Amy Choh acknowledged the challenges, stating that changes to traffic light patterns require gradual adjustments based on extensive calculations. However, she noted that there might be opportunities to adjust green light duration. Currently, no plans exist for significant infrastructure upgrades, such as a new pedestrian bridge linking the SkyTrain station to the mall, which would require collaboration between TransLink and the mall owners, Ivanhoé Cambridge.

Consideration of a Scramble Crossing

A possible scramble crossing, which would halt all traffic and allow pedestrians to navigate the intersection safely from all directions, is also under consideration. As holiday shoppers gear up to flock to the mall, the urgency of these safety evaluations could not be more crucial. Will officials act in time to avert a potential tragedy at Burnaby's bustling retail hub? Only time will tell, but the clock is ticking.