Marianne Meed Ward
Resident J.M. asks: What was the purpose of putting in another stop sign at Drury and Caroline, it is only 50 ft from the traffic light?
Response: The all-way stop control was installed at Drury Lane and Caroline Street based on the volume warrant which was 100% met. As per the Council approved policy, one of the three main warrants: traffic volumes, collisions or sightlines needed to be 100% met. As the volume warrant was met an all-way stop sign control was installed and will better control the right-of-way for approaching vehicles. It should be noted, that the collision warrant was only 33% met but there is documented history of right angle collisions over the years which will be prevented by the all-way.
Regarding the distance between the all-way and traffic signals, there is 430 feet from New Street and 300 feet from an Intersection Pedestrian Signal, which is only active when there is a pedestrian. Staff did consider the signal spacing and completed a queuing analysis which determined the all-way will not affect the traffic signal operations.
Overall, the all-way stop sign control will better control the right-of-way and help to prevent any further right angle collisions.
Resident C.H. asks: I was just wondering about the new lane markings on Fairview just along the Burlington Mall. There is a bike symbol on the entire curb lane heading east. Is Fairview now down to 2 car lanes in this area?
Response:
No, the lane markings simply signal the lane should be shared between drivers and cyclists – always has been shared, but this is a visual cue. Sharrows are intended to indicate to both motorists and cyclists the appropriate line of travel for cyclists. Where shared lanes are sufficiently wide for cyclists to ridealongside motorists, sharrows are applied near the curb. Where shared lanes are too narrow for this, the sharrows are placed in the centre of the lane. Sharrows are used on streets where dedicated bicycle lanes are desirable but are not feasible due to physical or other constraints.
Love the stop sign at Caroline and Drury!
1) If volume and right-angle collisions are the motivating factors, why would you not put in a traffic circle. That would reduce the speed and remove the possibility of right angle collisions without putting up another stop sign.
2) The Sharrows on Fairview – it’s disappointing to see that the wide grass boulevard on the sides of Fairview aren’t being used to create a separate cycle path (as in Montreal). If we really want to be serious about cycling, we need to provide infrastructure that doesn’t throw them needlessly and dangerously into busy traffic.
Will you please put a crosswalk at Caroline and John Street before someone gets killed there? Thank you.