HomeMy WebLinkAboutWD-114-81 TOWN OF NEWCASTLE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT
Director's Report to Public Works Committee of September 15, 1981.
Item: WD-114-81.
Date: September. 10, 1981.
Subject: Resolution # W-166-81.
Church Street/Cobbledick Street Intersection,
Village of Orono.
Recommendation:
THAT this report be received for information and Mr. M.J. Bellamy,
Traffic Supervisor for the Regional Municipality of Durham, be
thanked for his concern and assistance in this matter.
Report:
Report # WD-88-81 to the Public Works Committee of July 7, 1981,
accompanied a Petition request a four-way stop at the intersection
of Cobbledick and Church Street in the Village of Orono.
This matter has been considered on innumerable occasions and each
time the Region of Durham has been asked to review the situation
and approve the installation of the four-way stop.
t ,}l? On August 24, 1981, an on-site meeting was held with Mr. M.J.
Bellamy, Region Traffic Supervisor, and serious consideration was
given to the nature of the intersection, the condition and usage
j of the approach roads, the types of traffic and it's associated
volume, and the need for increased pedestrian protection, all
of which aspects had, at one time or another, been raised as
matters of concern.
Attached is correspondence dated September 3, 1981, from Mr.
Bellamy; this is in confirmation of our findings at the on-site
meeting, and clearly states the position of the Region of Durham
in regard to this request for four-way stop control at the subject
intersection.
It is felt that the opinion of those concerned with traffic
control and safety have made a valid statement in regard to this
item, and their position is supported by the opinions and findings
of Town Staff.
Respectfully sub ^tted,
J. Dunham,
Director of Public Works.
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DURHAM
September 3 1981
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The Regional
Municipality 1 1861 8 d 3 S
of Durham Corporation of the Town of Newcastle
Works Department Public Works Department
HAMPTON, Ontario
Box 623 LOB 1JO C) °'
105 Consumers Dr.
Whitby, Ontario Attention: Mr. J . Dunham, Director of Public Works
Canada,L1 N 6A3
(416)668-7721
Dear Sir:
W.A. LVETREES,P.Eng.
Commissioner of Works Re: Intersection of Cobbledick and Church Streets, Orono
Please quote our ref: This is further to our on-site meeting on August 24, 1981 at the
intersection of Church and Cobbledick Streets. From discussions
GEN-TRA-1-5 with several local residents, there appears to be four areas of
concern:
1. Elderly residents have trouble crossing Cobbledick Street
when going to the Medical Centre.
2. Speeding on Cobbledick Street.
3. Parents feel the intersection of Church and Cobbledick
Streets is dangerous for young children.
4. Large number of trucks using Cobbledick Street.
Since the Cobbledick Street sidewalk is on the south side from
Church Street westerly and on the north side from Church Street
easterly, the intersection is the most likely location for
pedestrians to cross Cobbledick Street. The number of pedestrian
crossings, however, is minimal and I doubt that very many elderly
residents would be visiting the medical centre during the times
when traffic volumes peak on Cobbledick Street.
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We have stated in previous correspondence that stop signs should
not be used as speed control devices. Although operating speeds
would be reduced through the intersection, the midblock speeds
would remain as high or increase following the erection of stop
signs on Cobbledick Street. In addition, a large number of
"rolling" stops and squealing tires would result . To my mind,
this is not a safer situation.
With regards to the safety of children using the intersection, we
have found that a 4-way stop can be a more confusing situation,
and therefore, less safe than a standard 2-way stop. It is
better for parents to educate their children in how to cross the
uncontrolled approaches to an intersection than to give them a
false sense of security with additional stop signs.
Page 2
During the two hours we spent on-site, I did not observe any
truck traffic on Cobbledick Street. If, however, this is a
problem at other times of the day, a truck restriction would be
reasonable. Cobbledick Street is not built to collector
standards and truckers do have a reasonable alternative in
Station Street.
In summary, I do not feel there is any Justification for a 4-way
stop at the intersection of Cobbledick and Church Streets. If
speeding is a problem then local residents should continually
request police enforcement. In addition, you may want to
consider the truck restriction discussed earlier.
I trust this is the information you require.
Yours truly,
M.R__. a anly
/Jw Traffic Supervisor
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