Councillor John Lamers received unanimous support for his Nov. 9 motion to install a four-way stop with red flashing light at the corner of Hogback Road and Sunnidale Concession 2, near New Lowell.
“Anybody that’s been down that road knows that there is a problem there. The sightlines are terrible. The angles are terrible, and they are both 80 km/h roads,” said Lamers. “I hate going through that intersection, along with a lot of other people. It’s just a bad intersection, the way it’s laid out.”
Deputy director of public works Dan Perrault said he asked the OPP for the stats on the intersection and reported there have been six collisions there in the past five years.
Deputy Mayor Barry Burton has championed many of the other stop signs that have been installed in Creemore. He said local residents are asking council to do something about it.
“I know it’s always a question, are stop signs the right thing to do? I think in this case it’s the right thing to do,” said Burton.
“Studies show improper placement of four-way stops actually increase accidents. The goal is safety and staff would appreciate being able to provide a report,” said director of public works Mike Rawn. “We have expertise in-house. I want to be able to sleep at night.”
Mayor Doug Measures commended Lamers for bringing the issue to the table, saying the problem should have been handled a long time ago.
“I do think it’s time this council, community and township step up and do something about that intersection. I don’t know if it’s the right thing or the wrong thing to do at this point. I am no traffic expert either,” he said.
Council also discussed lighting the intersection, improving the sightlines by removing some of the trees, and possibly realigning the intersection. Councillor John Broderick suggested a roundabout may be a good solution.