More than 14 accidents on Hwy 138 so far this year

ONTARIO – The Ministry of Transportation of Ontario (MTO) reported 14 accidents between Jan. and April of 2018. 

There were 46 reported accidents during 2017.

Statistics suggest that 3.83 accidents occurred on a monthly basis during 2017. This year’s average is similar, sitting at 3.5 per month.

“Our records do show two areas with more than one collision; first being at Myers/McPhail Rd. and the second, just north of there, at Willy Allan Rd.,” said Brandy Duhaime, Regional Communications Coordinator of MTO, Eastern Region.

“The (2018) infrastructure budget has been set and has been put into the 401 and 417 for the amount of traffic it takes,” said Jim McDonell, MPP of Stormont, Dundas and South Glengarry. “The 401 had the priority with the sudden lash of accidents we have seen on it.”

Duhaime said MTO understands the importance of Hwy 138 as a vital north/south link between Hwy 401 and Hwy 417.

“The ministry has been working at developing a longer term plan for operational improvements along Hwy 138. The Transportation Environmental Study Report (TESR) was published in June 2017 and received Environmental Assessment approval in April 2018,” said Duhaime.

The MTO Hwy 138 Study includes seven intersection alternatives, including a roundabout or traffic light where Headline Rd. crosses Hwy 138. The study also includes alternatives such as turning lanes, passing lanes, direct connections and improved corner radius in different areas.

Although there is an intersection alternative proposal for the previously mentioned collision location Myers/McPhail Rd., there is no alternative proposal for Willy Allan Rd., which is also recognized as a collision location.

According to Duhaime, over the past few years MTO installed temporary snow fences in sections of the highway to address snow drifting into lanes from open fields. MTO has also added rumble strips to a section of the highway to deter drivers from crossing the centreline. A wildlife detection system one km north and one km south of the McDonald Rd. intersection has been installed to warn drivers of potential animals in the area.

“We have seen a lot of the rural infrastructure missed with the last government, so we will be looking to catch up,” said McDonell. “There are lots of infrastructure priorities in the City of Cornwall and SDG.”

Duhaime said the timing of the delivery of the improvements will depend on provincial funding and priorities, as well as the environmental assessment process.

To view the study, visit: http://highway138study.ca/docs#tesr