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TOWN OF NEWCASTLE
REPORT File #35'3-
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Res. #,"
By -Law # 1-16
hEETING: THE GENERAL PURPOSE AND ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE
DATE: JANUARY 6, 1985.
REPORT #: WD -5 -86 FILE #:
StRECT:
SIGNAGE ON PROVINCIAL HIGHWAYS IDENTIFYING THE TOWN OF NEWCASTLE
RECOMMENDATIONS:
It is respectfully recommended:
1. That this report be received for information.
RI
Interest has been expressed for more prominent indentification of the Town
of Newcastle on the Provincial Highway system. There is some thought that
signs identifying the Town could include promotional messages relating to
features of the Town or industrial potential. This concept has been
discussed with the Ministry of Transportation and Communications with the
following findings:
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Report No. WD -5 -86
1. With Provincial Highways passing through hundreds of municipalities
(there are approximately 856 municipalities in Ontario), it is
absolutely essential that standard signs for identifying
municipalities be adopted to ensure that:
a) all municipalities are treated the same;
b) only the information which is obligatory for the Province to
impart is essential.
2. On controlled access highways such as Highway 401 and 35/115, there is
no provision for municipalities to erect signs presenting
supplementary information.
3. On normal King's highways such as Highway # 2, municipalities may, by
permit issued by the Ministry, erect and maintain their own signs
providing supplementary information about the municipality.
4. The Province is presently updating Highway signs therefore any changes
in identification, such as "Town of Newcastle, Next Interchanges"
should be requested now.
With respect to the above, the following comments are offered:
Point 1 is valid when one considers the duty and interest of the Provincial
M.T.C. That agency has the responsibility of providing the core road
transportation network for the Province with sufficient signage to direct
travellers to their destination. Promoting individual municipalities is not
part of their function.
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Report No. WD -5 -86
I
Point 2 relating to signage on controlled access highways also has good
logic. On highways such as Highway 401 where traffic volumes and speeds are
high, it is essential that drivers not be distracted by unusual signs so
that safety is ensured.
Point 3 recognizes that the normal Kings highway network does traverse built
up areas at much lower speeds and therefore provides for local
identification by municipalities.
Finally, Point 4, provides an opportunity for the Town to request M.T.C. to
review the present identification and request any changes which might be
felt appropriate and easily accommodated on standard Provincial signs.
Options which might be considered include:
1. Highway 401 signs at the east and west Town boundaries indicating
exits to the Town at the next 7 interchanges;
2. Highway 35/115 signs at the north and south ends in the Town,
imparting the same information;
3. Specific interchange signs on Highway 401 & 35/115 to indicate the
urban area being served, e.g.
Interchange # 1000 Interchange # 898
Liberty Street Courtice Road
Bowmanville Courtice
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VI 6(d1
Page 4
Report No. WD -5 -86
4. Promotional signs on Highway # 2 at east and west boundaries erected
by the Town;
5. Possible removal of signs promoting another municipality where such
signs presently exist.
Upon consideration and direction by Council, staff are prepared to embark
upon the necessary discussions with M.T.C.
Respectfully submitted,
R.G. Dupuis, P. Eng.,
Director of Public Works.
RGD : j co
December 20, 1985.