CORNWALL, Ontario – Cornwall City Councillor Dean Hollingsworth wants to see something done about the Tollgate Rd. and Vincent Massey Dr. intersection in 2022.
On Monday, Feb. 14, Cornwall City Council received a report from City Administration detailing the cost of up to $200,000 for an Environmental Assessment (EA) for the intersection. The report recommends that the EA be included in the 2023 budget, but Hollingsworth wants to see something done about the issue this year.
“My fear is that if we wait, this corner is not a safe corner and even the report admits it is not a safe corner,” he said. “If we wait and the composition of Council changes . . . my fear is that it will get lost somewhere in the shuffle.”
There will be a municipal election in October of this year.
Hollingsworth had previously put forward a motion in April 2021 that a roundabout be installed at that intersection, citing multiple complaints that he had received from residents and that the intersection was of an awkward design.
READ MORE: Councillors suggest roundabout for Vincent Massey Dr.
The report authored by City Administration acknowledges that the intersection is not up to code.
“(T)he existing intersection is unorthodox and would not meet current applicable design standards per the Transportation Association of Canada’s (TAC) guidelines,” the report reads. “The primary issue with the intersection is the angle of the Tollgate Road West alignment as it approaches the intersection which poses a number of potential issues. Typically, road alignments should intersect as close to 90 degrees as possible in order to provide appropriate sight lines, accommodate turning movements, etc. In order to address the alignment issue of the intersection, sharp curves are provided in the Tollgate Road West road alignment on both sides of the intersection in order to address the sight line issue. These curves would not be meet design standards; however, they do serve the intended purpose of improving sightlines especially since they are located at a stop-controlled intersection with low operating speeds.”
The report also details that the intersection receives higher traffic volumes than intended due to people travelling to and from the Riverdale subdivision.
Despite its unusual design and higher traffic volumes, the intersection has not been the site of a high number of accidents when compared to other intersections in the city.
The intersection is not in the top 25 intersections for collisions, collision rate, or traffic volume.
Hollingsworth put forward a notice of motion that the EA for the Tollgate Rd. and Vincent Massey Dr. intersection be included in the 2022 budget, which was seconded by Councillor Justin Towndale. The motion will be considered at the next council meeting on Feb. 28.
