The much debated issue of what to do at the intersection of Pine Street North and Fifth Avenue has finally been resolved.
At this week's city council meeting, an update to the municipal traffic bylaw was passed. It will allow for the installation of a pedestrian crossover at the intersection. Stop signs with flashing beacons will be erected in the area. The crossover will be on the southern side of the intersection.
The idea was first brought up on December 12, 2016, when Dawna Carrier, a representative of Autumnwood St. Mary's Gardens, a large seniors home situated at the intersection, presented to council. At that time, Carrier said that seniors, and those who have mobility issues have a difficult time making the 105 metre trek down the street to the nearest set of traffic lights at Pine and Algonquin Boulevard. Many residents of the facility like to attend services at the nearby St. Anthony's Cathedral, as well as accessing financial and medical services at the 101 Mall and Business Complex across the street. She presented a petition with dozens of signatures from residents of the facility. At that time she proposed a crosswalk.
Former Director of Public Works and Engineering Luc Duval told council in January that the installation of a crosswalk could cost $100,000, and would come out of the city's 2017 road budget.
The issue was hotly contested several times, and caused significant division from locals on various social media platforms. There are concerns for peak period traffic flow near the Downtown core, as well as safety concerns, as the intersection sits at the crest of a hill.
There were also conflicting reports from consultants and staff about whether or not the amount of foot traffic in the area justified a crosswalk.
A crosswalk, with overhead yellow 'X' lights was initially targeted for the area, but prominent local accessibility advocate, and member of the Municipal Accessibility Advisory Committee Dan McKay suggested a three-way stop, in May. He said that some people would inevitably ignore a crosswalk, but that everyone would stop at a stop sign. He added that crosswalks are particularly scary for the visually impaired, as the pedestrian really has no idea if vehicles are stopped or not.
In June, Engineering Manager Pat Seguin updated council and said the stop signs with flashing electrical beacons would cost roughly $50,000.
Stop signs at the intersection of Pine and Fifth will have flashing beacons mounted on top of them in the near future. Andrew Autio for TimminsTodayThe decision to alter the intersection will also see the loss of seven metered parking spaces along Pine Street, as provincial legislation commands adequate cleared space in the vicinity of a pedestrian crossover.
The issue was finally put to bed this week.
"Do we have a date of installation for that?" asked Councillor Andrew Marks on Tuesday.
Mayor Steve Black replied that he was unaware of a target date.
"If you could forward that as soon as possible. We would want to get in touch with our Traffic Division at the Timmins Police Department to work with the neighbourhood in that area, in particular St. Mary's Gardens to do some training and education," said Marks, who received an approving nod of the head from Police Chief John Gauthier, indicating he would likely accommodate the request.
Councillor Walter Wawrzaszek inquired about the costs of the installation.
"Are we using electric for the flashing lights? Is there any indication why we wouldn't use solar maybe? Might be cheaper," he said.
"I'll defer to staff to follow up with you, but I only assume its so we guarantee they operate," said Black.
As previously stated by city staff, installation is expected to be completed sometime this summer.
