It’s full steam ahead for stop signs at two Barrie intersections.
City staff will install stop signs northbound and southbound at the corner of Sproule and Miller drives in the west end, and install a four-way stop at Dock and Cox Mill roads in the southeast, city council decided with no discussion Monday night.
But staff are of two minds on these stop signs.
At Dock and Cox Mill, staff measured a stopping sight distance of 70 metres when a stopped vehicle is eastbound on Dock Road, looking north. The minimum distance required is 105 metres.
So staff recommend installing an all-way stop at the intersection of Cox Mill at Dock Road. Also, forestry and traffic staff will work with the resident located on the northwest corner (326 Cox Mill Rd.) to prune foliage to maximize stopping sight distance to increase safety at the intersection.
An all-way stop is recommended at Cox Mill and Dock roads due to the restricted stopping sight distance on the northwest corner.
But city staff say installing all-way stop signs at the intersection of Miller and Sproule is not warranted, as it does not satisfy any of the Ontario Traffic Manual warrants — volume, collision history or stopping sight distance.
Unwarranted all-way stops create operational and safety concerns for both pedestrians and vehicles entering the intersection, according to staff. They make drivers feel the stop is unnecessary and motorists do not always comply with the stop control.
Staff do recommend installing an auxiliary stop sign on Sproule Drive to increase visibility and bring driver attention to the stop sign.
It’s city policy that traffic and safety measurements be done before stop signs are installed, but those standards cannot be met with low vehicle totals due to the pandemic.
City policy is also that council gives staff direction to investigate and report back on stop signs, but council always has the authority to override it own policies.
