The Hillcrest Community Association is calling for a safer crossing for pedestrians and cyclists at the Alaska Highway between the neighbourhood and airport trail.

In a statemeant sent out Friday, the association highlighted its efforts of last Wednesday.

That day, cyclists from the area made their way across the highway at 8:15 a.m. The Yukon government oversees the highway.

The association called its actions a way to send a message to Highways and Public Works Minister Richard Mostyn that the issue is a priority for the community.

“For many years now, Hillcrest has been asking for a safe highway crossing,” said Dan Bader, a director with the association.

“We need to create a way for pedestrians and cyclists to get across the highway safely. We are also concerned about creating a safe way for vehicles to enter and exit our neighbourhood, which is becoming increasingly dangerous.”

The last traffic study for the area was done in 2011.

Since then, Bader noted in an interview this morning, traffic has only increased on the highway.

And that’s expected to continue as plans for a new North 60 Petro cardlock gas station move forward and more mines are anticipated to get up and running in the territory.

“What may have worked in the past, simply isn’t meeting our safety needs anymore. It’s time to make safety improvements,” Bader noted.

Many parents would likely be more comfortable having their kids bike to the downtown area if there were a safer crossing, he continued.

Many residents have expressed concerns that once a new gas station complex is in and operating, there won’t be enough of a break in traffic for pedestrians and cyclists to get across the road to the trail.

“We are very concerned about the impact to the safety of pedestrians, cyclists, and commuters if we have cars, RVs and large trucks streaming into our neighbourhood all day long to refuel,” said Bader.

The association has met a number of times with government officials about the issue, the group said in its statement.

“Most recently, the Hillcrest Community Association met with Deputy Premier Ranj Pillai in August 2017, and Highways and Public Works Minister Richard Mostyn, and our MLA, Jeanie Dendys, in September 2017 and again in May 2018,” the group said.

“We were told that a safe highway crossing for Hillcrest was not a priority, and wouldn’t be considered for at least another four to five years.”

While the crossing may be some time off, Bader said, the association would like to see at least some interim action taken to help deal with the situation.

“It looks like there’s nothing in the works,” Bader said of any kind of interim solution.

He pointed to overhead crosswalk signs other neighbourhoods have that could draw more attention to pedestrians trying to cross the highway.

As well, traffic radar may help convince drivers to slow down, he added.

Bader also suggested lowering the speed limit on the highway between Two Mile Hill and Robert Service Way so that it’s consistent throughout that stretch of the road.

Bader noted there are three changes in the speed limit between the two areas.

A consistent lower limit of perhaps 60 or 70 km/h could “keep that whole section calmer,” he suggested.

The former Yukon Party government had considered spending an estimated $200 million over 20 years to widen the Alaska Highway corridor in Whitehorse to two lanes in each direction.

The Liberal government cancelled that plan after coming to office.