Here comes the...Students! New PXOs Come Together in Fenwick to Enhance School Zone Safety

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

July 29, 2025

Pelham, ON – The Town of Pelham is proud to announce the upgraded Level 2, Type C Pedestrian Crossovers (PXOs) in the community of Fenwick that have been strategically placed near Wellington Heights Public School and St. Ann Catholic Elementary School. These municipally owned crossings are the first installed by the Town and mark an important milestone in Pelham owned infrastructure investments designed to improve road safety. 

Prompted by community requests for more visible and effective measures to protect pedestrians, especially elementary school students, these PXOs are designed to increase driver awareness and enhance the visibility of school crossing areas with flashing yellow caution lights that alert divers of a pedestrian wanting to cross the roadway. The project reinforces Pelham’s commitment to proactive and responsive infrastructure planning and comes just before the start of the school year, when roadways in school zones experience increased pedestrian traffic.

“This initiative is another example of Council’s ongoing commitment to ensuring town infrastructure meets the growing and changing needs of the community,” said David Cribbs, Chief Administrative Officer for the Town of Pelham. “The addition of these PXOs offers another tool to support Community Safety Zones and ensure Pelham’s children and families can move around town safely.”

Pedestrians and drivers are reminded to use the PXOs properly to ensure everyone's safety. When a pedestrian approaches the crossing, they press the button to activate the flashing solar powered caution lights to alert drivers of their intent to cross. The pedestrian then waits until the approaching driver has made eye contact and acknowledged the pedestrian and brough their vehicle to a stop. Once the vehicle is stopped, the pedestrian can proceed to cross in the marked crosswalk area.

The project was brought forward by Ward 1 Councillor Ker and was included in the approved 2025 Roads Capital Budget with a total budget of $25,000. Originally slated to upgrade the Wellington Heights school crossing from a signage-only crossing to one with a flashing beacon, competitive pricing allowed for an additional PXO to be installed at the St. Ann School crossing as well. Canadian-made components were prioritized in this project and the beacon and control systems were manufactured in Quebec. 

The Town of Pelham thanks residents for their continued feedback and commitment to building a safer, more connected community.

Learn more at www.pelham.ca/pxo 

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For media inquiries, please contact:

Leah Letford, Communications Specialist | 905-980-6653 | lletford@pelham.ca