North Cowichan Mayor Rob Douglas is calling again for urgent action on pedestrian safety after a 17-year-old was struck and killed while crossing the Trans-Canada Highway. The incident is the third pedestrian collision in the Cowichan Valley in the last month. Douglas expressed deep frustration that the province has not delivered on its promise to build a pedestrian bridge near James Street. He said the community has been asking for the project for more than a decade, especially to protect students from nearby schools who often cross the highway to reach shops and restaurants.
The mayor said the Trans-Canada Highway cuts directly through the heart of North Cowichan and sees heavy foot traffic every day. He believes this creates serious risks for both pedestrians and drivers. He began discussions with the Ministry of Transportation in 2023 about the bridge, which was planned near Quw’utsun Secondary School. Douglas had expected the project to be confirmed in the 2025 budget but learned recently that it would not go ahead for now.
Instead, the province will install fencing between James Street and Beverly Street, plant trees, and raise the median to discourage jaywalking. Douglas said these changes were already part of the initial plan and do not replace the need for a pedestrian overpass. He called the decision a letdown after earlier promises.
Transportation Minister Mike Farnworth said the fencing will be a significant first step. He insisted the decision was not due to funding problems and did not rule out a bridge in the future. He said the ministry will review the area again after the barriers are in place to see if more measures are needed.
The fatal crash happened around 8:40 p.m. on Tuesday when a semi-truck hit the teenager at Trunk Road in Duncan. The student, who attended Quw’utsun Secondary School, died in hospital from their injuries. Jeff Rowan, assistant superintendent for the Cowichan School District, called the incident tragic and said the district is providing support to staff, students, and families. He said the area near the school is busy and that students often cross during lunch breaks to visit fast food restaurants. Even though the speed limit drops in the area, traffic remains fast. He stressed that with schools on both sides of the highway, safety is a major concern.
Local residents have long warned that the Trans-Canada Highway through the Cowichan Valley is unsafe. The teenager’s death has increased calls for stronger safety measures. Rowan said the community wants to know if the new fencing can be climbed, what results it has brought in other places, and how it will look once built.
Cowichan Tribes Chief Cindy Daniels called the loss heartbreaking. She said cultural workers are offering help to youth and families affected by the tragedy. Daniels noted that many people in the community rely on walking as their main form of travel and need safe ways to cross the highway. She said traffic volumes are rising and safer pedestrian options are urgently needed.
The recent fatality has renewed focus on the dangers faced by pedestrians in the area. Community leaders and residents are asking the province to make the pedestrian bridge a top priority before more lives are lost.
