Seniors won’t have to dodge traffic when crossing Weldon Road from Parkview Village to Sobeys anymore, thanks to a traffic light to be installed this year.

The decision was made at Tuesday’s Whitchurch-Stouffville council meeting. It went against a staff recommendation to wait until a fire hall and arena are built in the neighbourhood before doing another pedestrian crossing review.

In January, a petition signed by more than 200 village residents was presented to politicians asking for a crossing light.

Prompted by increased traffic seniors face as they crossed the road, Rev. Harvey Sider, chairperson of the village residents’ council, wrote to the town’s planning department asking for a pedestrian-activated light.

“It is not fair for them to go to the corner and come back to go to the grocery store,” Councillor Susanne Hilton said.

Noting the seniors’ community here is active, Councillor Rob Hargrave pushed to have the light installed this year, rather than waiting.

According to a town survey, 82 pedestrians crossed the road in the middle of the block over two four-hour periods. Of those, 27 were seniors, disabled or children younger than 12.

Signs will also be posted limiting the speed of traffic to 40 km/h.