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Home My WebLink AboutWD-25-83 2i CORPORATION OF THE TOWN OF NEWCASTLE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT R. DUPUIS, P. ENG., DIRECTOR HAMPTON,ONTARIO TEL.(416)263-2231 LOB 1J0 987-5039 REPORT TO THE GENERAL PURPOSE AND ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE MEETING OF MARCH 21, 1983. REPORT NO. : WD-25-83 SUBJECT: IMPROVEMENTS PROPOSED BY THE REGION OF DURHAM FOR THE INTERSECTION OF REGIONAL ROAD 17 AND NORTH STREET IN NEWCASTLE VILLAGE RECOMMENDATION: It is respectfully recommended that: 1. The Region of Durham be advised that the Town of Newcastle does not wish to have a cul-de-sac constructed on North Street at Regional Road 17; and, 2. The Region of Durham be further advised that the Town of Newcastle prefers to have the one-way southbound connection from Regional Road 17 to North Street closed as part of any intersection improvements; and, 3. The Region of Durham be requested to consider flattening the curvature of the east edge of pavement on Regional Road 17, north of Monroe Street, to improve visibility; and, 4. That a copy of this report be forwarded to the Region of Durham. J)k - 2 - REPORT: The Region of Durham, in response to safety problems and complaints about speeding traffic on North Street, has examined the Road 17, North Street intersection in an effort to eliminate these problems. The Region has concluded that from a Regional point of view, the most desirable option would be to close North Street, thereby eliminating through traffi-c.- —--—--------- A similar request was received by the Town, i .e. , for closure of North Street, in 1980, and the attached report was prepared. The result of this report was Resolution W-152-80, which may be summarized as stating that in order to retain an efficient transportation system in the Village of Newcastle, North Street must remain open. The same observation applies at present; North Street provides one of the main north/south connections in Newcastle Village. Furthermore, the Newcastle Village Small Urban Area Plan shows a major east-west collector intersecting Raod 17 at this location, lending further support to the fact that the intersection should remain intact. Other factors which affect the decision on closure are as follows: 1. Cul-de-sacs create difficulties with respect to winter maintenance. Snow plow routing in Newcastle would have to be adjusted and would take more time to complete; - 3 - 2. Garbage collection routes as well as fire protection would be affected; 3. Improvements at the intersection of North Street and Highway 2 would have to be made to accommodate the additional traffic demands at that location. Further to the above, local observations indicate that si-bi l ty -tire--north orr--Roa-dLL 17 from *onroe Street- fs----------------- __ restricted. The Region should therefore be requested to take this opportunity to review the visibility with respect to design and speed and to determine whether improvements are required. Since the Region proposes intersection improvements at North Street and Road 17 in their 1983 program, and is anxious to proceed with design, this report should be forwarded to them as soon as possible. Respectfully submitted, R.G. Dupuis, P. Eng., Director of Public Works. RGD:j co March 15, 1983. TOWN OF NEWCASTLE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT Director's Report to Public Works Committee. ITEM: WD-80-80. DATE: May 29, 1980. SUBJECT: North Street, Village of Newcastle Traffic. Background: The attached correspondence was submitted to the Public Works Committee meeting of May 22, 1980, by the Mayor and, subsequently, Resolution # W-140-80 referred the matter for a report. Concerns expressed are that traffic using 'North Street, from High- way 2, could use Regional Road 17 (Manvers Street) and it is sugg- ested that North Street become a 'dead end' , presumably at the northerly limits thereof, or that a portion be closed, as per the attached drawing. It is also stated that Southbound traffic on North Street uses the road "as a racetrack". Report: North Street is a 'through' local road, providing access from Highway 2 and Regional Road 17 to abutting properties. The matter has been discussed with Durgam Region Traffic Department which is of the opinion that, if the suggested portion of North Street was to be closed, improvements to the southerly intersection would be necessary in order to provide adequate turning movement. Should North Street be considered to become a 'dead end' then both northerly portion would require closing by by-law; in my opinion such action would detract from the present, efficient, transport- ation system. It is also indicated in the attached correspondence that traffic in the area is travelling at excessive speed; this item should be reported to Durham Region Police Force for their necessary action. II 2 j WD-80-80 (2) � j I I i Recommendation: WHEREAS to retain an efficient transportation system it is most important that North Street in the Village of Newcastle remain a through street, therefore it is recommended that no action be taken -and, further, --that--Durham-Region-Police Force--be__,r to investigate the matter of speed traffic on that section of North Street, between Highway 2 and Regional Road 17, and that the writer be so advised. I ' I I i a i I I 4 t w RECEIVEn MAR Q 1 February 17, 1983 Town of Newcastle 40 Temperance Street Gowmanv i l l e3, Ontario L1C 3A6 Attention: Mr. U. Smith th Chief Administrative Officer Uear `sir: Re: Intersection of Regional Road 17 and Horth Street TRA-RR-17 Newcastle V i 1 l a e At the present time the intersection of Regional Road 17, 04anvers Rd.). and North Street has a one-way connection for southbound traffic controlled by 'YIELD' signs at the south junction. The attached sketch depicts current conditions. Over the east Z years complaints have been received from North Street residents regarding truck traffic, high traffic volumes and speeding on their local street. Our surveys qnd the records of police radar enforcement could not confirm that these problems were of unusual magnitude. We did, however, find a large number of motorists driving northbound on the southbound connection. Because of the potential . hazard this presents we proposed to close off the short one-spay connecting roadway as part of our 1983 Intersection Improvement Program. The closing of this connecting roadway alone eliminates the hazard of wrong-way traffic but it does little to reduce volumes and speed. on Worth Street. One positive solution to all problems is to close off North Street completely at its intersection with Regional Road 17 and construct a Sul-de-sac. I' r Although the cul-de-sac proposal solves all the operational problems of the intersection and North Street, it is difficult to justify the additional expenditure when the added benefits are strictly local In nature. We also recognize that y6ur municipality would inherit some inconveni once .in snow removal, garbage collection and enorgency protection if a cul-de-sac were constructed. The purpose of this letter therefore, is to request tho input of the Town of Newcastle. I would ask that this matter be brought before your Council and that the Region be advised which alternative is preferred and if the Town of Newcastle is prepared to consider cost sharing if the wore expensive cul-de-sac is the preferred alternative. k6fore your Council dercide on this issz e 6 solicit comments from those residents of Worth Street who would be directly affected by the intersection closure. We are anxious to complete our design work so that construction can proceed as soon as possible this year. I would therefore appreciate your earliest response. Yours very truly, 4. A. Twelve OS, Pe Engs Unission!'s Work 110/rd cc: C. McMullen ,{,OX K. Schipper, ''*' R. Dupuis, Eng., Director of P"blic Works Town of Newcastle 0 w STOP YIELD 1 �O DO NOT ENTER sd, STOP w Vii. z 0 z 15