Chatham-Kent staff is delaying the removal of an all-way stop at Murray Street and Reaume Avenue in Wallaceburg, after an outcry in the community.
“CK engineering staff have agreed to delay the removal of the four way stop until the May 15 council meeting, where it will be discussed and where I and Councillor Carmen Mcgregor will ask council to further delay the removal until the (McNaughton Avenue) construction is completed,” Wallaceburg Coun. Jeff Wesley told the Sydenham Current.
The removal of the all-way stop had been scheduled to take place today, Friday, May 12.
Wesley had requested the delay earlier this week, adding that the timing of the removal didn’t coincide well with the construction going on on McNaughton Avenue.
“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 my mind,” Wesley said.
Thomas Kelly, the general manager of infrastructure and engineering services, confirmed via email that the removal would be delayed.
“It is my understanding that your request is to maintain the all way Stop until construction on Murray and McNaughton is completed in July,” Kelly said in a email addressed to Wesley, McGregor and Mayor Randy Hope.
“If approved by Council on May 15, we will cover the PXO markings and maintain the all way stop until all construction in the area is completed. There will be some cost associated with this change in direction.”
Kelly said his departments stance on the issue has not changed, but they will await council direction on Monday.
“Based on the engineering studies conducted, the PXO proposal as originally approved remains our best recommendation even when considering the current construction in the area,” Kelly wrote.
Chatham-Kent staff had been planning to move forward with the removal, until the decision was made on Thursday to halt it.
Adam Sullo, the director of engineering and transportation, said council approved the direction of this project back in August of 2016, and approved the tender award back in November of 2016.
Sullo said a traffic analysis was conducted last spring, and it showed that an all-way stop wasn’t warranted at the intersection.
“The results of the analysis indicate that (an) all-way stop is not warranted based on the traffic volume conditions,” the staff report says.
Subsequently, council approved the following recommendation, among others, at their August 22 council meeting:
The All-way Stop located at the intersection of Murray Street and Reaume Avenue in Wallaceburg be removed and the School Crossing located at the same intersection be converted to a Pedestrian Crossover (Type B) per the guidelines of the Ontario Traffic Manual.
The Type B Pedestrian Crossover consists of poles on each side of the crossing with two signs, audible pedestrian pushbuttons on each pole, and rectangular rapid flashing LED beacons mounted on each pole facing both directions, a staff report says.
One of the signs is mounted on a mast arm that extends over the roadway. Additional advance warning signs, no parking signs, and pavement markings are required, the report says.
Council approved a tender for the overall project, in the amount of $260,166.68, to Ron Field and Son Electric Ltd. of Chatham at their November 21 meeting. That figure includes work on 11 other similar projects across the Municipality as part of the tender award.
Wesley said fellow Wallaceburg Coun. Carmen McGregor and himself have heard many concerns from the public regarding the planned work.
Wesley added that he did see the removal of the four way stop in a report, but never keyed in on the significance and impact of it.
Wesley said he appreciates staff listening to their concerns.
Watch for more on this story.
Here is more of our coverage on the issue:
– Update: 4-way stop removal still planned for Friday
Thank you Chatham Kent for listening to voices of the people. When the study was done there was no construction. Thank you Jeff and Carmen. The kids will be safe