There is a chance that traffic lights could be coming to Mitchell yet in 2019.

Brian Esau is Chair of the Local Urban District committee of Mitchell. He says the committee has approved a proposal that would see lights coming to the intersection of Highway 52 and Ash Street. The proposal must now be approved by council for the Rural Municipality of Hanover and then Manitoba Infrastructure.

(Traffic lights could be coming to the intersection of Highway 52 and Ash Street in Mitchell.)Esau says these lights are very unique to Manitoba. He explains they are regular traffic lights but are controlled by pedestrians.

"The main reason for this is for the safety for the kids for trying to get them to cross from the south side of 52 to the north side," says Esau.

According to Esau, the LUD committee is also looking at building a walking path that connects the Oakenwald Crescent area to Ash Street. This cost would be covered by the LUD, while the traffic lights would largely be paid for by the province. It is possible that both projects could happen in 2019.

Esau says the reaction from residents towards traffic lights in their community has been mostly positive.

"We've heard a lot of positive comments," he says. "Everybody's main concern is the number of kids that cross that highway, whether it's going to school, or going to the arena or going to the ballpark."

Meanwhile, there are other safety projects being considered for Highway 52 through Mitchell. This includes additional traffic lights as well as closing some of the medians along the highway. However, Esau says his understanding is this is a multi-year project.

"This is a big step forward," he says. "Mitchell is a growing community and we definitely do not want to see anybody hurt or injured when they are crossing the highway."

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Traffic Lights Could Be Coming To Mitchell