Starting today, January 4, the Dryden Skywalk will have reduced service hours.
City Council has authorized a temporary, trial reduction in the hours of operation.
The Pedestrian Overpass will be closed daily from 7:00 p.m. until 6:00 a.m.
Chief Administrative Officer Roger Nesbitt says the temporary decision was made over health and safety concerns and notes loitering, damage, and public intoxication continues to be a problem.
“During a six month span in 2021, City staff attending the pedestrian overpass to complete their work duties, filed 16 near-miss incident reports relating to unsafe conditions they encountered at the overpass. Some of these situations resulted in 911 calls to police.”
Nesbitt notes the they requested help from the Dryden Police Service last year and foot patrols were conducted but that didn’t improve the situation.
Maintenance costs to maintain the walkway and elevators also played a factor.
Cost breakdown in 2021:
-590 annual staff hours with labour costs totalling $13,564 (estimate)
-Elevator repair costs totalling $45,415 (estimate)
-Electricity costs totalling $16,200
Staff will revisit the hours of operation in the next few weeks.
For further information, you’re asked to contact Colin Hawkins at chawkins@dryden.ca or 807-223-2367.
