Ward 4 Councillor Lou Turco will ask City Council tomorrow to take yet another look at the controversial Crashbag Corners neighbourhood in downtown's west end.
In a resolution to be presented to City Council on Monday, Turco and his Ward 6 counterpart Ozzie Grandinetti say Albert and Gore was the city's crashiest intersection in 2017, with the adjacent Albert/Andrew intersection ranked second.
Traffic signals were removed there during the 2016 Gore St. reconstruction.
But residents had ongoing safety concerns and Turco and fellow Ward 4 Councillor Rick Niro tried unsuccessfully last summer to get the traffic lights restored.
Instead, oversized stop signs and 'sunburst' symbols were used in an attempt to calm traffic.
On Monday, Turco will argue that an alarming number of accidents continue at the two intersections.
Local resident Joanne Denis has posted a dramatic series of webcam crash videos on her Facebook page.
The following is the full text of Turco's resolution.
Monday's City Council meeting will be livestreamed on SooToday starting at 4:30 p.m.
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Traffic lights Gore/Albert and Albert/Andrew streets
Mover: Councillor L. Turco
Seconder: Councillor O. Grandinetti
Whereas in or about the fall of 2016 following construction in the Gore St. area traffic lights were removed from the intersections of Gore and Albert streets and Albert and Andrew streets; and
Whereas after the traffic lights were removed from these intersections, there appeared to be more accidents occurring in the immediate months following; and
Whereas city staff suggested that the drivers need time to get used to the new intersections; and
Whereas ample time has passed and this does not appear to be the case; and
Whereas the following actions were taken by public works as per the direction of City Council on August 21, 2017:
- extra-large stop signs were installed replacing existing signs
- “new” starburst signs indicating the STOP sign were installed
- thermoplastic wording was installed on the roadway stating STOP AHEAD; and
Whereas public works and transportation indicated that staff would continue to monitor the intersections and provide updates to council; and
Whereas to date the situation has not improved and current statistics indicate that there are unprecedented numbers of accidents involving these intersections with the Gore and Albert St. intersection ranking first as having the most accidents for the year 2017 and Gore and Andrew streets ranking second; and
Whereas on one day alone in January 2018, there were three accidents with personal injuries at the Albert and Gore St. intersection; and
Whereas the neighbours continue to be upset; and
Whereas the sightlines at Albert and Gore streets continue to be a concern to drivers who park on the west side of Gore St. making it difficult to see oncoming traffic on Gore St. at the Albert St. intersection; and
Whereas the city has recently purchased properties on Gore St. that could provide off-street parking to businesses on Gore St. to alleviate the sightline problem by removing some of the parking spots;
Now therefore be it resolved that staff be requested to further investigate these scenarios and bring a recommendation back to council by the March 5 council meeting to rectify this problem including the reinstallation of the traffic lights at these two intersections.
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