A petition has been launched calling on the Ministry of Transportation to install new traffic signals at the intersection of Highway 7 and MacLennan Street/Dunbar Street in Rockwood.
Guelph-Eramosa Mayor Chris White and Wellington-Halton Hills MPP Ted Arnott believe that new traffic signals are urgently needed to protect children who have to cross Highway 7 in order to reach École Harris Mill.
They have been working together since the school opened in September 2014 to raise the problem with the Ministry of Transportation
“While we appreciate all the challenges that the province faces and are grateful for the addition of new schools in Rockwood, I call on the province to install a set of traffic lights at the intersection of Highway 7 and MacLennan in Rockwood without delay,” White said. “The safety of our children and our residents depends upon it.”
While Guelph-Eramosa has proactively implemented a guarded school crossing at the intersection Arnott agrees the Ministry of Transportation should pay for traffic signals.
“Highway 7 is a busy provincial highway. Traffic lights would make it a lot safer for children,” Arnott said. “Our petition is an easy way for our community to let the Ministry of Transportation know that we are concerned and that we want the ministry to install the lights as soon as possible.”
The Ministry of Transportation has carried out traffic studies at the intersection and has advised the township that the intersection meets the provincial standards for traffic signals. However, the ministry has yet to come through with the funding to install them.
Copies of the petition are available at the Guelph-Eramosa Township office.
