A proposed crosswalk to be placed not far from where a little girl was critically injured is a step closer to reality.
Windsor City Council accepted a petition presented by Ward 2 Councillor John Elliott Monday night, calling for a crosswalk on Prince Rd. near Mic Mac Park. With the petition, council agreed to fast-track a feasibility study into putting the crosswalk at that location.
Mayor Drew Dilkens says he understands the need for the crosswalk, however, it's unfortunate the near-tragedy put that need centre-stage, considering requests for crosswalks being made by people in other parts of the city.
"There's a lot of attention on this one particular area, and it's tragic what happened to this poor young girl," says Dilkens. "I feel very bad for her and her family. But, we have to look at the entire city and what makes sense for the entire city. There are a lot of areas, as we heard tonight, where there are requests for crosswalks."
Dilkens acknowledges that council could disregard the feasibility study and place the crosswalk there regardless of what's in it.
Lila Jane Zuest suffered critical injuries on May 26 when she ran out onto Prince Rd. near Barrymore St. and was hit by a Transit Windsor bus. She remains in critical condition in a London hospital but is expected to eventually recover.
Zuest's aunt, Courtney Belanger, was at the meeting and was ecstatic when council agreed to fast-track the study.
"I expected them to say 'yes, it's going to happen', but I didn't know they were going to oversee everything else and then speak up the way that they did. I'm just in complete shock right now," says Belanger.
Belanger says Zuest is stable in critical care but has been recovering nicely, with no setbacks.
Dilkens says the report is due at council's next meeting on June 18, and a decision on how to proceed can come as soon as then.
