Council will reduce Abbott Street to a single in each direction between Spence and Wharf streets to improve safety for pedestrians using the zebra crossing between the Reef Hotel Casino and Pullman Cairns International.
Currently, this un-signalised, mid-block zebra pedestrian crossing in Abbott Street requires pedestrians to traverse four lanes of traffic (two in each direction).
Council considered five options to address pedestrian issues at this crossing, which the report notes is used by international tourists who may not be familiar with traffic flow in Australia, and potentially pedestrians under the influence of alcohol often at night.
Officers have recommended that the section of Abbott Street adjacent to the pedestrian crossing is converted to a single lane as it meet the Australian Standard, maintains the safe pedestrian crossing, is accepted by the local businesses and residents, and is relatively low cost.
It is anticipated that there will be no traffic impacts associated with the change.
The five options considered by Council included:
- Signalised pedestrian crossing
- Reduce traffic lanes to one lane in each direction
- Remove the pedestrian crossing pavement markings
- Do nothing
- Install speed hump and flashing lights
