The $30 million intersection's $1,000 mistake

The installation of six bright yellow tactile pads at the intersection of Beacon Avenue and Highway 17 in Sidney has been marred by mistakes, with three of the pads directing pedestrians into traffic.

Disability advocate Vanessa Pettinger and Sidney resident Barbara Fallot are speaking out about the issue,which they say affects not just those with accessibility issues but the entire community.

Who is the unnamed buyer?

The Ministry of Transportation and Transit is responsible for the intersection, but advocates haven't heard from anyone since the concern was first raised in April.

Sidney resident Barbara Fallot is disappointed by what she sees as a lack of accountability from the ministry.

What auditors flagged in the April filing?

The response Fallot received when she inquired about the pads indicated that they were intended to be anti-slip ,but the question of why they were misaligned during installation remains unanswered .

Pettinger wants the community to understand that these types of mistakes affect everyone and not just those who face accessibility issues.

She believes that if everyone can collaborate and make it work for everybody, it's the most important thing.

What's next for Sidney's intersection?

The issue was brought to the attention of Sidney's engineering department, but advocates are still waiting for a resolution.

Pettinger was involved in a car crash in 2017 that damaged her optic nerve, and she remains confident in many aspects of her life, but leaving home on her own is still a challenge.

She has to have a sighted guide, or use the HandyDART or a cab, and have someone meet her on the other side, as the sidewalks and crosswalks are all different.