Time for a stop sign? Wasaga committee considers traffic-calming options for Golf Course Road

Traffic-calming measures on two Wasaga Beach streets have noticeably reduced speeds, according to data collected by the public works department.

In a report to council’s co-ordinated committee, public works director Kevin Lalonde noted speed humps installed on Dunkerron Avenue had reduced speeds from 58 km/h to 27 km/h.

Permanent speed tables on Golf Course Road also had an appreciable effect on speed, according to the data, reducing the speeds of drivers in the 85th percentile for speed from 74 km/h to 55 km/h.

Residents living along Golf Course Road, notably near the intersection at Marlwood Avenue, say the speed tables have done little to slow drivers. In an email to councillors, and shared with Simcoe.com, resident Frank Steele said the tables have merely increased noise as vehicles travel over them.

That has some councillors suggesting a stop sign might be in order. Coun. George Watson said his neighbourhood on Old Mosley Street was faced with the same issue until the town put in a stop sign at 16th Street 20 years ago.

Prior to that, he said, there was frequent speeding — and some vehicles that would leave the road and ending up in front yards or taking out fences and decks.

“(The signs) really did the job,” he said, adding the collisions that had been taking place were “almost eradicated” and the signs have had a calming effect on speed.

“We need to listen to the people who experience the traffic issues on a 24-7 basis, and arrive at a solution that is satisfactory to all,” he said. “You can’t put a price on public safety … I don’t think you need to rip up the speed tables; you just have to add an enhancement to make it work for these people.”

Manager of engineering services Mike Pincivero said the department had intended to conduct a traffic count on all three legs of the intersection during peak times of use of the Marlwood course, such as during a tournament, with the idea of collecting enough data to justify a sign.

With no tournaments taking place in 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the department has pushed that to 2021.

However, Pincivero pointed out, “The intent of stop signs is to control the pace and function of an intersection. It’s not intended to mitigate speeding.”

He said council could give that direction if it desired, though it might not conform to guidelines set out by the Ministry of Transportation.

Watson noted that “sometimes you have to throw the book out and make a decision.”

“If the stop sign rectifies it,” added Coun. Joe Belanger, “maybe it should be a consideration.”

However, the committee stopped short of directing staff to take further measures to control traffic on Golf Course Road. For the time being, it merely accepted the director’s report for information.