Residents call for action over commuters heading to and from GO station
By Bill Rea trucks and cars speeding to get to the GO station parking lot. "Warren Road has conveniently become a bypass road for the residents of Oak Ridges, Aurora, Newmarket and others to get to the GO station parking lot," he declared, adding it poses danger for people who live and play on Warren. "It

The traffic complications in King City are not helped by commuters seeking bypasses to get to the local GO station.

Some Warren Road residents are calling on Township councillors to do something about it.

Domenic Lombardi and Tanya Nesterenko appeared before council recently, asking for action on this issue, among others. These matters were referred to Township staff for further reports.

Lombardi, who has lived on Warren for about 17 years, said he's noticed a dramatic increase in traffic in the street over the last two years, including heavy is extremely difficult to get out of your driveway in the morning or late afternoon without possibly being hit by a speeding vehicle, since they may be late in securing a space at the GO station or rushing to get home at night."

He added Warren has young families with children who are at risk.

"Vehicles have jumped the curb onto the boulevard on many occasions, either during the summer or, more recently, two weeks ago in front of my home," he said.

Lombardi also observed some people argue this is something to be expected with a growing population.

"I say 'hogwash," he declared. "It's all about the secret gateway to the parking lot via the newly created bypass - Warren Road."

Warren Road runs south off of King Road, just east of King City Secondary School. Lombardi's suggestions for the situation included implementing turn restrictions at the intersection between 7 and 9 a.m. and 4 to 6 p.m. Mondays to Fridays; restrictions against heavy trucks and the street, as well as "local traffic only" signs, which he said are in place, but don't seem to be very effective; speed traps; speed bumps; having a police officer stationed at the intersection from 6:30 to 9:30 a.m. every day for at least a month; and no parking being permitted on Keele Street at the GO station.

Nesterenko said she has only lived in the area about seven years, and she questioned the suggestions the road is a bypass, calling it "more of a speedway."

She added she didn't have hard data about the number of people who were using the street a "back-door route" to the station, but they had a petition with some 50 signatures of people who are concerned.

Mayor Margaret Black said there are some things that can be done. She said the Township could address the parking situation on Keele, although Lombardi said Warren is the real concern. "It's getting a little scary," he remarked.

Nesterenko suggested a stop sign at the intersection of Warren and Bennet Drive, but Director of Operations Jody LaPlante resisted that. He said the road is due for reconstruction in the next two years. He also pointed out that all-way stops seldom do a lot of good when it comes to slowing down traffic, and actually increase speeds. He also said more data is needed to justify the signs, and indicated he would like to meet with the deputants on this.

Councillor Cleve Mortelliti suggested a traffic light at Keele and Station Road, which could be continuous red heading east and west. He asked staff to see what York Region thought of that.

Councillor Jane Underhill observed most people taking the GO train out of King City don't live in the area. Township CAO Scott Somerville added Keele is a Regional road, which adds another set of issues. He also pointed out more parking is needed, stating the lot is full most of the time.