The popularity of two coffee shops in opposite ends of the city is causing safety concerns for council.
At the very end of this week's meeting, Councillor Walter Wawrzaszek brought up a notice of motion regarding a potential crosswalk near Tim Hortons in South Porcupine. The ubiquitous chain's location on Highway 101 East is across the road from the campus of Northern College, a seniors home, and a major residential area.
"In the last couple of weeks, some people have come close to being hit. To cross safely and legally, I think you have to go to the Porcupine Mall, or go back to the lights at Main and Harold," said Wawrzaszek before asking Police Chief John Gauthier to confirm if it is safe to cross a five lane highway.
"It certainly wouldn't be my recommendation. Perfect scenario is to use the lights at Harold," replied Gauthier.
The North side of the highway in the area has a short stretch of a paved shoulder, but it is in utter shambles. Andrew Autio for TimminsToday Both crosswalks mentioned are a significant distance away, and Wawrzaszek pointed out a shortcoming of the area's roadside infrastructure.
"So when they do cross over on Harold, or go back to the Porcupine Mall, and they do come up the North side of the highway, there is no sidewalk there. The sidewalk is on the South side. So I'm looking at putting in a crosswalk, or have a study done to see what we can do there," he said.
Councillor Andrew Marks then asked for a report, with a definitive date, for traffic lights at the intersection of Airport Road and Westmount Boulevard in Melrose. It is the site of a commercial development which includes a hotel, as well as a Tim Hortons which opened in January. In February, a major motor vehicle collision occurred at the intersection, which left a 10-year-old boy with serious injuries.
The Airport Road development saw its doors open for business before mandated traffic lights were installed at the intersection, at request of the building company Cy Rheault Construction, who told council last October that the lights were yet to be delivered.
Both Wawrzaszek's and Marks' motions will be on next week's agenda.
