by Sarah Benson-Lord
Trail Museum and Archives
In early August 1971, the intersection of Pine Avenue and Victoria Street finally saw the installation of a traffic light.
For five years, the Trail District Safety Council wrote to the Ministry of Highways requesting the measure to both limit traffic accidents and reduce occurrences of injuries to pedestrians at what the paper touted Trail’s “run for your life” intersection.
Situated relatively close to the base of smelter hill, Trail certainly experienced (and still does) a low-scale rush hour for our size at shift change.
At a time when personal vehicle travel was increasing, the ratio of pedestrians and drivers was likely more balanced than it used to be.
In 1968, following a traffic count study, the Ministry of Highways informed the Council that traffic patterns did not meet their thresholds for a light.
Despite accidents, lost-time injuries, and costly damages, the ministry required further analysis and counts.
The safety council was steadfast in their quest; in June 1970, they received positive news and the project had its “green light.”
The committee appreciated the boost of support from the Consolidated Employees’ Benevolent Society, who shared a story with the Ministry of Highways of a smelter employee impacted by lost time after being struck by a vehicle there on his way to work.
The newspaper hit the streets to gain insight into the new traffic control measure.
Folks employed at businesses at the intersection shared they witnessed a few accidents and many stated they wouldn’t consider using it to cross unless in a vehicle.
Dr. Hugh Campbell of the Medical Associates Clinic (now Hall Printing) shared his support of the new light, as well as the wait time to safely cross the risky section of Trail’s main thoroughfare.
One RCMP Corporal stated he believed twice as many accidents happened there than any other area in the city.
The paper credited the dexterity of pedestrians, not any caution demonstrated by drivers, for the lack of fatalities.
Although a lengthy process, the effort was worth the time investment.
Next time you’re sitting on Pine Avenue waiting to turn left, consider the folks that persevered to make our city a little safer!
Read more: Remembering a young man from Trail who went to war and never came home
Read more: The story of unrequited love and murder in the Kootenays
