A Wallaceburg Councillor is looking to delay the removal of a four-way stop in Wallaceburg.
Jeff Wesley said fellow Wallaceburg Coun. Carmen McGregor and himself have heard many concerns from the public regarding the planned work at Murray Street and Reaume Avenue, which is slated to begin at the end of the week.
“Both Counc. McGregor and I have spent a lot of time and effort here and the concerns of the community have been heard and quite frankly we agree with those concerns,” Wesley said in an email addressed to Chatham-Kent staff.
“There is confusion out there as to why you cannot have a four way stop and crosswalk together… this needs to be explained and justified to the general public.”
Wesley added the timing of the removal is terrible.
“Why add this confusion of removing the four way stop while the construction is still ongoing and the school year is mid stream… this part makes no sense in mind. Cars exiting Reaume will have a very tough time getting on to Murray without a four way stop while construction is ongoing. Reaume is very short and it is being highly used during construction. If it backs up you will close off some businesses.”
Removal currently planned for Friday
The Municipality of Chatham-Kent announced on Friday afternoon that the all-way stop control installed at the intersection of Murray Street and Reaume Avenue will be removed on Friday, May 12, and replaced with a two-way stop control and a pedestrian crossover signal.
Municipal officials say the northbound and southbound stop signs on Murray Street will be removed, leaving a two-way stop control for eastbound and westbound traffic on Reaume Avenue.
Pedestrians crossing Murray Street will be able to use a new pedestrian crossover signal installed on the north side of the intersection.
Signs have been posted on Reaume Avenue warning motorists that traffic crossing the intersection on Murray Street are no longer required to stop.
“We urge all motorists to be aware of the new two-way stop control and pedestrian crossing signal while travelling through the intersection and obey the rules of the road outlined in the Highway Traffic Act,” Municipal officials stated.
Delay being sought
Wesley told the Sydenham Current that he has put in a request to staff to delay the removal, until it can be discussed at Monday’s council meeting.
“I will ask council on Monday to delay removal of the four way stop until after the McNaughton construction is done, which will also mean the school year is done,” Wesley wrote in an email.
“Then we can deal with this under much calmer and less concerning conditions in which the change to remove the four way stop can be explained, justified and rationalized to the public. I do not think I am asking for too much here and I should not have to go to council for such a simple ask that staff can easily correct.”
Officials with the Municipality could not be reached for immediate comment.
Many opposed to removal
Social media was abuzz on the weekend when news broke about the removal of the four-way stop.
“This is the stupidest thing I have seen yet,” wrote Rachealle Trombley on Facebook. “That is one of the busiest intersections in town and it’s right at the school. I see lots of trouble there in the future and I pray it don’t involve anyone being hurt.”
April Tuininga said she crosses there with children everyday, enroute to the Wallaceburg Christian School on Albert Street.
“It is a dangerous intersection,” she wrote on Facebook.
“I won’t be letting my kids walk to school without me anytime soon. Drivers aren’t looking for pedestrians, just seem to be in a hurry to wherever they’re going at the risk of me, my kids and all the others who cross there.”
Pat Davis said he understands the rationale for replacing the crossing guard with lights, but cannot fathom this move.
“Public safety is a municipality’s number one priority,” he wrote on Facebook. “But that has nothing to do with removing the stop signs on Murray. What could possibly be the rationale? Why not have the lights to help pedestrians and the four way stop to control speed and facilitate north and south bound traffic coming off Reaume.”
A reader’s poll, started Wednesday morning on the Sydenham Current, reiterates that many people do not agree with the Municipality’s plan. As of 2:20 p.m. 113 people (76.87%) voted saying they do not agree with the move, while 27 people (18.37%) said they did agree, and seven people (4.76%) were not sure.
Feel free to place your vote below:
[polldaddy poll=”9743685″]
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I think there should be a regular traffic light there. Having the 4-way stop AND crossing lights is going to be too confusing.
It is bad enough driving your vehicle, when they don,t want to take proper rules, now children trying to cross there., such a busy intersection. Now with them working on the road, can you imagine. not really do not want to see this. Study this more, before some one gets hurt or worse.
Very bad idea !! Why is my question ? Accident waiting to happen, just hope its only a fender bender and no one is hurt. And may it be the person who thought this was a good idea who needs car fixed !