SaltWire E-Edition

‘It’s a dangerous intersection’

Council hoping to make Windsor’s downtown safe for motorists, pedestrians

CAROLE MORRIS-UNDERHILL carole.morris-underhill @saltwire.com @CMUnderhill

A three-month pilot project is being rolled out in Windsor in June with the hope that it will make travelling downtown safer for both pedestrians and motorists.

Council and staff with the West Hants Regional Municipality have agreed to change the intersection at Gerrish and

Water streets to a four-way stop, at least on a trial basis.

“In my opinion, and in many people’s opinions, it’s a dangerous intersection,” Mayor Abraham Zebian said in an interview.

Currently, only traffic travelling along Gerrish Street are faced with a stop sign, which makes turning onto Water Street tricky, the mayor said.

“People have been highlighting it. People have been reaching out and saying, ‘I was almost clipped today’ or ‘I was trying to cross the crosswalk and somebody whipped out.’ I think (the pilot project) will be a really good thing to happen,” Zebian said, noting he travels that route daily.

The experiment is, however, a bit unconventional given the placement of one of the stop signs.

When Troy Burgess, the municipality’s traffic authority director, first announced the pilot project to council on April 25, he was asked why the driveway, which is used by Avonian Place customers, would receive a stop sign.

“So, it’s a little unconventional,” said Burgess, noting anyone leaving a driveway must stop before pulling out onto the roadway anyway.

But, if the municipality doesn’t include the driveway and just has a three-way stop, Burgess doesn’t believe it will work well.

“The problem is people are going to sit there for a long time. They’re going to get impatient and they’re going to go anyway,” said Burgess. “So, we want to incorporate all four directions because they are all right there.”

LONG-STANDING ISSUE

Coun. Laurie Murley, who sat on Windsor council prior to amalgamation in 2020, said the intersection has long been a subject of conversation.

“Certainly, we’ve talked about having a stop sign in that area many times in the past,” said Murley. “And I do note, section 133 (1) of the Nova Scotia Municipal Vehicle Act … (states) we may be able to erect stop signs where we need them.”

She asked if there was anything that indicated a stop sign located at a parking lot should be treated the same way as a traditional four-way stop.

“Typically it’s not done because it’s a stop sign already, essentially, without a sign,” said Burgess. But by adding the sign, it will allow all motorists an equal opportunity.

In 2008, Jennifer Daniels, who operated Daniels Flower Shop on Water Street, launched a petition aimed at

getting council to install a three-way stop.

“At that time, there wasn’t an island nor crosswalk from 40 Water St. traversing to the opposite side of the street,” recalled Daniels.

“As a merchant — at that time — I watched numerous people, especially tourists, crossing that broad area and almost getting hit by vehicles. It was very concerning. As well, trying to negotiate out of the parking lot was very difficult as there wasn’t anything there at the time to slow traffic. Once the island and crosswalks were put in, it mitigated the prior risks.”

Although she retired as a florist in 2022 to take on new challenges, she said she was pleased to learn about the

pilot project.

“This is wonderful news and clearly shows there has been growth in the downtown area and the region as a whole for this to be considered,” she said in an email interview.

“I’m glad to see there is consideration to at least pilot this project. Nothing is learned until you try and hopefully it will earn its place in the downtown and ease traffic flow and increase safety of pedestrians, which enhances the attraction of doing business in downtown Windsor.”

MONITOR EFFECTIVENESS

Burgess told council that if the changes are not working, or prove to be dangerous, staff will intervene.

“We are certainly going to monitor to make sure that it’s going to work,” said Burgess.

“If it’s dangerous at any point within the three months or we’re seeing that it is, then we’ll stop the trial,” he added.

“If after the three months, data tells us that it didn’t work, then we will go back and maybe look at taking some parking spots out or some other method.”

Burgess said staff has been using radar signs to collect data on the downtown traffic flow already, and they’ve contacted the RCMP to see if they have concerns.

“We believe it’s going to be fine. If we have any concern, it would be that possibly traffic might back up on Water Street as far as King Street,” said Burgess, noting that’s one area they will be watching. “We believe it will work, it’ll be safe. Everybody will get their turn.”

Zebian said he feels the pilot project will succeed.

“If anything, it’ll slow down the traffic and give people more time to safely enter and exit, whether you’re coming from Water or Gerrish. I think it’s going to be very good,” said Zebian.

“I think this will just allow stop-go, stop-go. I think it’ll be more efficient.”

But if there are issues, he said the traffic authority will intervene and will make recommendations to council.

The change starts June 5.

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2023-05-30T07:00:00.0000000Z

2023-05-30T07:00:00.0000000Z

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