Because of ongoing local concerns about the safety of children crossing busy streets near Salem Public School, councillors are ready to support a three-way stop at the intersection of James and Woolwich Street East.
Further, councillors are considering installing two new radar speed traffic control signs on Woolwich Street in the school zone.
The item came up at Centre Wellington’s committee of the whole meeting on Jan. 17 through a report from Public Works Director Ken Elder.
Elder said he was not certain this was the solution, but he considered the issue “a work in progress.” He explained, “we’ve been dealing with various issues in the James St. and Woolwich St. area since amalgamation.”
Elder noted that at one point the Salem school was to be closed and moved, and then because of increased enrolments, it stayed.
One of the concerns is children walking to and from Salem Public School are at risk of being hit by a vehicle while crossing at James St. He also noted that at one point Centre Wellington purchased property at the corner of James and Woolwich streets to install a sidewalk on the southeast corner for better pedestrian walking to the school.
“We have had some concerns from citizens,” Elder said
He noted that last fall there was a meeting with the Salem school principal.
During the last week of October 2010, documented observations were made to review the routes children were making on their way to and from school.
“Part of the problem is the closed right of way from Woolwich street to below the hill,” said Elder. “They tend to walk up the grass right-of-way, go past the guardrails and cross James St. on the south side of Woolwich St.”
The observations determined that as many as 17 children, walking morning and afternoon, are using an uncontrolled crossing on the south side of Woolwich St. E. and James.
During both the one hour in the morning (8 to 9am) and the one hour in the afternoon (3 to 4pm) when children are attempting to cross at this uncontrolled intersection, as many as 240 vehicles travel through the intersections.
Elder’s report stated, “With the information gathered this October there is indeed a safety concern when children chose to use an uncontrolled crossing that is not the intended, or marked pedestrian crossing.”
Currently the only stop sign at the intersection is at the end of Woolwich St.
“There is not a controlled crosswalk.” Elder said three things are being proposed.
In addition to the three-way stop and the radar signs, Elder proposed extending the guardrail at the end of Woolwich St. to force students to cross James Street at the north side of Woolwich – then cross over to the sidewalk.
He said the idea of a sidewalk on the north side of the street was looked at, but because of the elevations, “it would be fairly costly.”
The other thing, he said, is because of the concerns about possible speeding, the intent was to install a couple of solar radar signs, similar to the ones installed on the South River Road.
In addition to monitoring speeds, the signs would also collect data on the speeds of the vehicles coming through.
His report added, “because many Centre Wellington residents use Woolwich St. E. (Side Road 15) as an east-west community bypass between Fergus and Elora, traffic should continue to move at a reasonable service level while considering the safety of the children in the area of the Salem School.
“An average of 2,241 vehicles travel Woolwich St. E., in both directions, on a typical work day. If all drivers stop at all three directions at Woolwich St. E. and James St. then all pedestrian crossings will have an increased level of safety.”
In summary, Elder noted “With as many as 40 children attempting to cross Woolwich St. E. and James St. morning and afternoon each school day, a new all-way stop intersection, and traffic radar speed signs should improve the operational safety of the intersection.”
Mayor Joanne Ross-Zuj asked whether the idea of crossing guards was considered.
“We have not entertained that idea at this point in time. We’ll continue to monitor the situation,” Elder replied.
Councillor Kelly Linton was very supportive of the move.
Elder said his preference would be for the children not to go up the hill at all, “it’s not a walkway.” His wants the students to walk along the side streets, “but that’s not going to happen.”
Elder hopes extending the guardrail will encourage them to cross at the safer location.
“The other thing I should mention is that there is going to be some very progressive enforcement. Any of the residents nearby [should] be warned,” he said.
Councillor Steven VanLeeuwen said he drove the road quite a bit and asked if there would be any advantage to installing speed bumps in the 40km/hr zone.
Elder said in the school zone there will be radar signs, which “work very well.” He added, “I can tell you right now, I’m not a proponent of speed bumps.”
He said what happens is that people slow down for the bumps, then speed up again, “So you actually don’t get any benefit from them.”
Councillor Walt Visser also believed the three-way stop would discourage truckers from using the intersection.
Linton wanted to hear from the residents to be assured this was what they were hoping for.
Area resident Chris Spencer said “This is great that council is talking about the issue.” He said one of the main concerns had been traffic coming in from Fergus.
Spencer commented it is a well-travelled road and the speed reduction from 80km/h to 40km/h often doesn’t happen. He thought another potential solution would be a four-way stop at Irvine Street and Sideroad 15 (before traffic approaches Salem).
Salem school principal Mair Gault agreed this has been brought to her attention over the past three years.
“It’s something parents have been bringing forward for years,” Gault said. “If the safety of one child is increased or one child is saved, then it’s worth it. It means so much to us that you would consider these measures.”
She then asked what happens if parents continue to have concerns.
Elder said the situation would continue to be monitored. He added he is also not a fan of installing stop signs for speed reduction.
“We find if we put in a stop sign to slow traffic, they will speed up from there,” he said.
“Every driver in Ontario knows the speed is 40km/hr in a school zone. If they decide to not be responsible, they deserve to get fined.”
Visser said, “and if they don’t get fined, you call the OPP.” He said if there are enough calls, the police will begin to monitor the area.
When asked if radar signs actually reduce speeds, Elder said the signs installed along the South River Road “actually work and slow traffic down.”
He said since the road reconstruction, he used to get on average two calls per month about speeding. Since the road was repaved and monitors installed, “I have had not had a call about speeding.”
Spencer asked if a crosswalk or crossing guard was an option.
Elder said the problem is that there are three crossings in the area. Realistically, he added, there are issues of getting and keeping crossing guards.
“Once you have a crossing guard, you will never get rid of them. Parents like crossing guards.”
He contended there are three locations in Fergus that currently have crossing guards but don’t really need them.
It was stressed this was not the end of the discussion since the situation will be monitored.
Councillors passed the resolution stating council approves the recommendation to create the three-way stop at the intersection and to install the radar signs near the Salem school.
