GUELPH/ERAMOSA – The province is evaluating possible measures to address safety concerns at a crash-prone Highway 6 intersection before springtime construction begins to replace it with a roundabout.
Ministry of Transportation staff observed traffic where Wellington Road 22 and 8th Line intersect with Highway 6 on Jan. 2 and 5, according to a Jan. 9 email from the ministry to Highway 6 resident Shawna Percy-Jurchuk.
She started a petition last month calling on the province to mitigate collisions at the notorious intersection, the site of many crashes and several fatalities, after she and her children were T-boned there last month while travelling southbound on Highway 6.
The province has installed more signage, along with flashing beacons and pavement markings, on Wellington Road 22 approaching Highway 6.
The ministry stated in the email, reviewed by the Advertiser, that it also looked at collision reports to determine if additional interim measures are warranted.
The ministry did not specify how long the intersection was observed or the number of collision reports reviewed.
Based on the visits and reports, the ministry said vehicles appear to be stopping before turning onto the highway, so it’s focusing on what to do on Highway 6.
Possibilities include turning the southbound passing lane into a northbound and southbound left-turn lane, adjusting speed limits and adding more signage as drivers approach the intersection.
Percy-Jurchuk, whose Change.org petition has amassed more than 4,700 signatures, said the province was already aware from earlier engineering studies that “speed, visibility and decision-making time on a high-speed highway” are key factors in collisions.
Percy-Jurchuk said though she appreciates the province’s response, it’s devoid of clear timelines.
“Progress can look like a win on paper, but it only becomes a real win when there are firm timelines, clear accountability and safety measures in place that reduce risk now … while we wait for both interim lane changes and permanent construction,” she told the Advertiser.
Wellington-Halton Hills MPP Joseph Racinsky said in an emailed statement he’s thankful for the ministry’s effort to “take all possible steps to mitigate the risk of collision at this location.” He said he would continue advocating for improvements.
The MTO did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
