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Four-way stop now planned for Nelson and St. George intersection
By DONNA McMILLAN
Although the Port Dover intersection of Nelson and St. George Streets does not meet the Norfolk County criteria for a four way stop, Norfolk councillors voted at a Council in Committee meeting on April 3 to recommend an all way stop be established there and the yellow flashing amber light on Nelson Street be changed to red.
Angela Wark, a St. George Street resident, and Shelly Desgagne, Office Manager of Dover Cliffs Long Term Care Centre, attended the meeting to seek Council support for a change in traffic flow at this intersection before there is a serious accident.
Council also received a Petition from the Residents’ Council of Dover Cliffs Long Term Care and letters from Pauline Lyne, Executive Director at Dover Cliffs, nearby homeowners, Principal Elaine Thomas of Port Dover Composite School, other Dover Cliffs staff and numerous concerned residents, all asking for a four way stop.
Ms Wark said she felt the traffic report did not accurately reflect the true nature of the corner. There are many fender benders and near misses at this corner, she said. Ms Desgagne added that it is extremely difficult for Dover Cliff residents to cross the street here because many are on scooters, in a wheelchair or less ambulatory. An amber flashing light one way and red flashing another way has created confusion, she added. Other concerns included: the fast flow of traffic on Nelson Street; the increase of traffic flow during the busy tourist season; the number of school children who cross at this corner to attend Port Dover Composite School or to catch a bus to another school; cars parked on both sides of the street impede the street sight lines; lack of sidewalks on the south side of Nelson St; the ambulance parking space designation on St. George St.; proximity to a funeral home, Masonic Hall, downtown businesses and churches.
Eric D’Hondt, General Manager of Public Works & Environmental Services, indicated in his report that the technical evaluation used to establish the need for a multi-way stop condition included traffic volumes on the minor road averaging 200 per hour for an eight hour period; an average delay to the minor road vehicular traffic entering the intersection exceeds 30 seconds during peak hour; a collision problem as indicated by five or more collisions per year of a type which may be prevented by a multi-way stop installation; and road and sight line conditions.
Using these criteria, he recommended the application for a Four Way Stop be denied.
Recognizing that due diligence was done in terms of investigation and that a total of five accidents were reported from 2004 to 2006, individual councillors agreed the corner was a problem.
Councillor John Wells said he “understands we can’t put Four Way Stops everywhere, but this one merits it.” Mayor Dennis Travale and the Committee in Council supported the petitioners and agreed to recommend the installation of a four way stop and all way red flashing lights.
-- Wednesday, April 11, 2007
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