Region now to consider signals at Keele
Highway 9
By Bill Rea

If traffic signals are to go on Highway 9, it now looks like it's going to be at the intersection of Keele Street, and at King Township's expense.

That was the latest proposal of the transportation and works committee of York Regional council last Wednesday. But Mayor Margaret Black stated that before that happens, there's going to be a study of the policy regarding the Regional warrants for traffic signals in rural areas, with the possibility the Township could be reimbursed.

She also pointed out Keele is a Township road along the stretch running north from Lloydtown - Aurora Road.

The committee also decided signals could go at the entrance to Cardinal Golf Club, but at the expense of the club operators.

Regional council will still have to ratify this.

Black said there is considerable support at the committee table for signals somewhere along the road, including from the likes of Georgina Mayor Robert Grossi, Markham Councillor Jim Jones, Regional Chair Bill Fisch, Newmarket Councillor John Taylor and Whitchurch - Stouffville Mayor Wayne Emmerson. Concerns have been raised for the last several months that there is no break in the traffic along the road between Bathurst Street and Highway 400, sometimes making it difficult for motorists to get on the road. Signals at some point along the road have been discussed. Regional council also approved changing the name of the stretch for road to Davis Drive West.

The staff report that went to committee last week stated traffic on Dufferin, Keele and Jane Streets, and at Cardinal is not great enough to warrant traffic control signals. While the report agreed installing them would create more breaks for traffic to get on the road, it also pointed out it would create delays on Davis, as well as traffic volumes on whichever north-south road got the signal.

The report mentioned other methods for improving the traffic situation, including the installation of "Intersection Ahead" signs, flashing amber beacons at the approaches of the two legs of Dufferin Street, the use of centreline rumble strips in the area of Glenview Heights Lane and southern leg of Dufferin and using pavements markings to assist in the reduction of speeds.

While there is support for signals at an intersection, Black said the issue is who would pay for it. She said the Region's policy is to not pay for signals at the intersection with a municipal road, but she added King couldn't afford it. One set of signals, she said, would cost between $120,000 and $140,000.

"Everybody agreed there needs to be a break in the highway," she remarked.

She also pointed out that while the intersections in question involved Township roads, the bulk of the problem traffic originates outside King.

"Out or principle, quite frankly, this is not a King problem," she declared, adding the Region needs to support rural municipalities.