Town requests left-turn signal at ‘dangerous’ new intersection

September 15, 2022 · 0 Comments

Written By Paula Brown

Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

The Town of Shelburne is reaching out to the Ministry of Transportation (MTO) regarding the installation of an advance left-turn light at a “dangerous” new intersection.

During Town Council’s meeting on Monday (Sept. 12), a motion was brought forward by Deputy Mayor Steve Anderson to contact the MTO on installing an advanced left turn signal at the intersection of Hwy. 89 and Ojibway Rd, into the new Emerald Crossing Plaza.

“I do believe, despite the efforts, that a strong message from council about the urgency of taking action now is important,” said Anderson on the motion. “I’m hoping that everyone will agree just based on what we’ve experience personally or what we’ve heard from the public that some action needs to be taken immediately.”

Anderson noted that in the interim of waiting for a response from MTO, he had spoken with a representative from Dufferin OPP about adding assets to the area in the meantime.

“It is my understanding they will escalate that and hopefully have some assets deployed there shortly, in an effort to prevent what we all believe is the inevitable, which is unfortunately an accident,”
said Anderson.

The motion was seconded by Coun. Walter Benotto, who added that high speed along the highway into town is also a factor in the intersection’s danger.

“That traffic that is coming west bound is going from 80 kilometers almost right up to the light, they don’t slow down, and with traffic trying to turn at that intersection they’re taking awful chances,” said Benotto. “There’s an accident just waiting to happen there and when an accident happens it’s too late to say a left turn signal should have been there.”

Denyse Morrissey, chief administrative officer, said staff have looked at adjusting the speed limit along Hwy 89, which drops from 80 kilometres to 50 kilometres at the intersection.

Staff have recommended dropping the speed limit from 80 km to 60 km at the Mulmur Melancthon Townline before reducing to 50 km into town.

The Town is awaiting a response from the Ministry of Transportation.