Norfolk councilors consider traffic lights at St. John’s Road intersections

Speeding and a significant number of traffic collisions have prompted Norfolk councilors to consider the installation of two sets of traffic lights on St. John’s Road.

Article content

At a recent meeting, council approved a staff recommendation that a project be brought forward in the proposed 2024-2033 capital plan, including $150,000 in 2024 and $2 million in 2025 for the engineering and construction, respectively, for traffic signals at the St. John’s Road intersections at Blueline Road and Cockshutt Road.

Article content

County staff will report back to council in 2024 regarding the preferred alternative for the traffic control measures. Consideration will be given to constructing left-turn lanes at both intersections.

After hearing in July 2022 from Regan Bill, whose father was killed and mother seriously injured in a crash at Cockshutt Road and St. John’s Road East earlier that year, the county installed additional signs, flashing amber lights and rumble strips at the intersection.

Article content

“Cockshutt Road and St. John’s Road is a problem and has been for years and years,” Bill told councillors. “Every family that’s in this position asks the question, ‘Why does this continue to happen?’”

Andrew Grice, Norfolk’s general manager environmental and infrastructure services, said the safety measures are helping but speeding continues along St. John’s Road.

Traffic counters were set up in three locations along St. John’s Road to measure traffic volumes and speed. Results show the average speeds along the corridor at 88 to 95 km/hr., exceeding the posted limits by eight to 15 kilometers. About half were driving in excess of 90 km/hr., said Grice.

“It’s likely not a surprise to anybody here that speeds are at that rate and, while not reckless, they certainly do constitute speeding.”

Article content

In a report to councillors, Grice said there have been 36 motor vehicle collisions, including one fatality, at St. John’s Road and Blueline Road over the past eight years. Thirteen were single-vehicle collisions with animals.

There were 41 accidents, including the death of 52-year-old Chris Bill, at St. John’s and Cockshutt over the past eight years. Twenty were single-vehicle collisions with animals.

Grice said traffic signals not only help reduce speed but create more driver awareness so they’re less likely to hit animals.

In response to questions from Coun. Chris Van Paassen about the intersection at St. John’s Road and Highway 6, Mike King, the county’s director of engineering, said he would share the St. John’s Road traffic review with the Ministry of Transportation. That intersection is the responsibility of the ministry.

Article content

“There has been a need for a stoplight there ever since Stelco was built,” said Van Paassen. “We keep talking about it, but it has been 40 years and there’s still not a stoplight there. I think that adds to the speeding because you spend 10 minutes sitting at that intersection and when you finally get across you’ve got to make up for lost time down St. John’s.”

When questioned by Coun. Alan Duthie about whether left-turn lanes will be required at Cockshutt and Blueline, King said more study will be done on whether they are warranted.

“There are still some unknowns,” said Grice. “Turning lanes may not be required. If not, costs will be greatly reduced.”

Article content