Region looking at options for Highway 9 traffic
By Bill Rea

More signs are soon to go up along Highway 9 to remind people of the penalties for speeding. And York Region will be looking at other steps to slow things down on that road.

That decision was made last week by the Transportation and Works committee of Regional Council. It still must be ratified by full council, and that is slated to happen Dec. 13.

This was the latest step in the efforts to have something done about traffic concerns on the highway, especially along the stretch between Bathurst Street and Highway 400. Amain worry, which was raised in September by Councillor Jack Rupke, is there is nothing between those two intersections, such as traffic signals, to slow down or break traffic. That makes things awkward for motorists trying to get on the road.

"We can't get a break on the traffic," commented Dalt Hicks, owner of Cardinal Golf Club on Highway 9, who was also at the committee meeting. "It's just a bit of a horror story."

Mayor Margaret Black said she was pleased with the attention the Region has been showing on this. "They've been very attentive," she remarked.

The Regional staff report, which was considered by committee last week, stated there were two written requests received by business owners on the road, prompted by difficulties their employees and customers were having. The concerns they raised dealt with issues like traffic volumes and speeds, the lack of gaps in traffic and the need to install signals somewhere along the road.

The report stated video observations have been made of traffic trying to get on the road. "The delay to side street traffic causes drivers to take risks and these risks could result in a severe collision," they stated.

"It's not a selfish thing," Hicks declared, pointing out drivers forced to wait too long to get on the highway might get frustrated and take chances.

The Region took over the road in the fall of 1999, and started work on widening it the following year. Prior to the widening, staff reported the average daily traffic counts were around 25,000 vehicles. Since then, it's risen to about 40,000. But the statistics also show the road is safer, even with the higher volumes. In the five years prior to the widenings, there were a total of 27 accidents involving injuries or fatalities, and 106 involving just property damage. The first five years after the widening saw only 17 incidence with injuries and fatalities, and 49 involving just damage.

But staff did agree that speeds have increased since the widening work. The posted speed limit is 80 kmh, but the average operating speed is closer to 100, with several vehicles going in excess of 120.

The Region has looked into automated speed enforcement methods, like photo radar. Staff reported it's been used effectively in Alberta and British Columbia, as well as in Australia, but they said it's not allowed in Ontario. Despite that, staff reported the Ministry of Transportation conducted an evaluation of the photo radar program when it was in effect in the mid-90s, and determined it did reduce overall speeds.

As far as signals are concerned, staff reported the traffic numbers don't warrant them along the stretch of road in question.

"I don't like stop lights either, but now I don't want to get killed," Hicks remarked.

He also used the example of the Keele Street intersection, stating if signals were there, drivers would use that route because they would know they can get on the highway.

Another method being considered changing the name of the road to Davis Drive West. The committee opted to refer that issue to King and Newmarket councils.

Black observed there's a psychological factor which causes people to drive faster on a "highway" than a "drive."

"The designation of 'highway' can create a perception that high speeds are acceptable, particularly in conjunction with a rural environment," the staff report stated.

Black said she would be happier if things could move faster on this issue, "but I really have to be guided by the professionals."

She pointed out too many stopping points on the road could result in more accidents.

As well, she said another solution could be the completion of a Bradford bypass. A lot of the traffic on Highway 9 is there because of the convenient access to Highway 400.