York staff to report on lights at Jane and Cardinal
By Bill Rea

While there are no easy answers, Mayor Margaret Black believes some traffic signals could soon be going on Highway 9.

She was involved in a meeting last Wednesday with York Regional staff members, and reported the most promising ideas include signals at the southern intersection with Jane Street, as well as at the main access to Cardinal Golf Club on the north side of the highway.

"We came up with all kinds of different alternatives," Black commented on the meeting. "It's not an easy answer, but that looks like the best."

Staff had previously recommended that signals not be considered at any of the intersections between Highway 400 and Bathurst Street. Members of the transportation and works committee of Regional council, overruled that, however, calling instead for last week's meeting to discuss putting in signals at at least two locations. That position was quickly ratified at the Feb. 21 meeting of Regional council.

The issue was raised by Councillor Jack Rupke in the fall. At the time, he pointed out that between Newmarket and Highway 400, there is nothing to stop traffic, meaning people trying to get onto the road frequently have a hard time finding breaks that enable them to enter the flow.

Staff had reported the signals were not warranted at any of the intersections because the traffic numbers were not high enough. "Installing traffic signals at locations that do not meet the traffic signal warrant can result in a reduction in overall intersection safety and can increase the occurrence of certain types of collisions," they stated in their report to committee last month. They added signals are not traffic calming devices, and are not intended to slow traffic.

Black agreed staff can't recommend signals if the numbers don't warrant them, and she observed that at peak hours, only about seven vehicles make left turns at the intersection with Keele Street.

She also observed Jane tends to get very jammed south of Highway 9 during peak hours of the summer. As well, she said there were concerns with installing lights at Keele because that could have impacts with traffic diverting through Kettleby. Lights at Dufferin Street were also a concern because of similar potential impacts on Ansnorveldt.

Black commented Jane already sees a lot of overflow traffic from Highway 400.

Paul Jankowski, general manager of roads at the Region's transportation and works department, agreed none of the intersections on this stretch of road warrant signals, but since council has indicated it wants them, staff will recommend locations.

"We looked at the whole range of options," he remarked. "We're evaluating all the options here."

Jankowski said staff will be sending a report to the committee. He hoped it will be ready for the April 2 meeting.