COLD LAKE – With nearly 400 students attending North Star Elementary School and more than 100 being dropped off by parents each day, the school’s Parent Advisory Association is asking Cold Lake City Council to take another look at pedestrian safety along 50th Avenue.

The association appeared before council during its October 27 regular meeting, requesting flashing pedestrian crossing lights and proposing changes to traffic flow outside the school.

Principal Jason Whaley joined the delegation, outlining concerns about congestion, visibility and students crossing the road during busy morning drop-offs and afternoon pickups.

According to the presentation, North Star Elementary has 394 students, and 12 school buses transport about 120 students daily. Parents drop off more than 100 students, while the remaining students walk or bike to school.

The busiest periods are between 8:05 and 8:25 a.m. and 3:20 and 3:45 p.m., when buses, vehicles, pedestrians and cyclists converge along the same stretch of roadway.

Parents Say Previous Traffic Changes Have Not Solved the Problem

The Parent Advisory Association first raised its concerns with the City in October 2024 and requested illuminated pedestrian crossings.

At the time, the association identified several issues, including traffic congestion, vehicles parking on both sides of the road, heavy two-way traffic and bicycle traffic on sidewalks.

The City subsequently installed a four-way stop, extended a no-parking area by 10 metres and added signage. A school safety patrol was also suggested.

While the association acknowledged those improvements, representatives told council they believe additional measures are necessary.

Their primary request is for flashing pedestrian crossing lights similar to those used near other Cold Lake schools.

The association believes illuminated crossings would encourage students to use designated crossing areas while making drivers more aware of pedestrians.

Visibility is also a concern for school bus drivers, particularly when children cross near buses or between parked vehicles.

One-Way Traffic Proposed as Another Option

The delegation presented two potential solutions.

The first would introduce flashing crossing lights and convert the roadway to one-way traffic travelling west, with parking permitted on both sides and a single travel lane through the middle.

The association argued this configuration could give students and parents more room to exit vehicles and reach the crosswalk safely.

Representatives also pointed to winter conditions, when snowbanks can narrow the roadway and make it more difficult for pedestrians to navigate around parked vehicles.

The second option would maintain the existing two-way traffic arrangement but add flashing lights at the pedestrian crossing.

During the discussion, Whaley suggested testing a one-way arrangement to determine whether it improves conditions.

However, council and administration raised concerns about how a one-way street could affect surrounding intersections and traffic patterns.

Councillor Vining questioned whether redirecting traffic could create additional congestion at the end of the roadway.

Administration also explained that the City’s transportation master plan contemplates future changes to an intersection in the area, partly because of traffic requirements associated with Highway 28 and potential growth at the military base.

Those longer-term plans would need to be considered before making permanent changes to traffic circulation.

School Growth Adds to the Pressure

Whaley explained that North Star Elementary’s student population and programming have changed over the years.

The school originally served kindergarten to Grade 3 but now accommodates kindergarten to Grade 6, along with expanded pre-kindergarten programming.

That growth has increased the number of students and vehicles arriving at the school.

He emphasized that the association’s concerns focus primarily on the short periods when students arrive and leave, rather than traffic volumes throughout the day.

Administration noted that the roadway continues to carry traffic in both directions outside school hours and that any changes would need to account for other road users.

The discussion also touched on maintaining consistent pedestrian crossing standards throughout the City.

The delegation clarified that it was seeking standard flashing pedestrian lights, similar to those already installed at other school crossings, rather than full traffic signals.

Council Acknowledges Safety Concerns

The delegation emphasized that its objective is to improve student safety and that members are open to alternative solutions.

Council thanked the representatives for raising their concerns.

Mayor Bob Mattice acknowledged the issue and indicated the City would continue working with the school community.

The presentation did not approve funding or installation of new crossing lights.

For the Parent Advisory Association, the request remains focused on making the daily trip to and from school safer for North Star Elementary students.