More stop signs not warranted downtown

Council debates adding 4-way stops on Main st.

According to West Nipissing municipal staff, more stop signs are not warranted in downtown Sturgeon Falls.

Councillor Daniel Gagne brought forward a motion this week asking that 4-way stops be added at Main and Queen as well as Main and William.

Anyone who has ever travelled down Queen Street trying to cross Main Street will understand the risks posed at that intersection. While there is a 4-way stop at Queen and King, drivers must often take a chance at Main because drivers on that street do not have to stop. The sightlines because of downtown parking also make it difficult to cross that intersection.

In his memo to council Gagne noted that “I have received many requests from business owner's and also residents for the additions for 2 four-way stops”. He added “with the increase in traffic many businesses and residents find it hard to enter Main Street and this will also slow down the traffic on Main St.”

But the Director of Infrastructure, Elizabeth Henning did not support Gagne’s request. She stressed that the Ontario Traffic Manual only recommends 4-way stops when roadways have more than 200 vehicles/hour. In 2023, traffic counts for these intersections were only 160 vehicles/hour.

Council acknowledged that the sightlines are not very good and pose a risk to cross. They also agreed that this problem is worse during the summer construction season.

No councillor supported Gagne’s request to add stop signs permanently, but most were in favour of his alternative request to have them there temporarily until the end of the summer.

This isn’t the first stop sign debate that council has had in 2024. A few months ago, staff had proposed adding a controversial 3-way stop at the corner of Levac and Cache Street in Cache Bay. This was met with a lot of opposition from the public. At the time, Councillor Fern Pellerin brought these concerns forward stating that most in Cache Bay didn’t find that an additional stop sign was necessary. He asked that the public be consulted prior to adding the stop sign which would drastically slow down the morning commute. However, council concurred with staff recommendations and refused a request for consultations.

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