Traffic signals at Fairbairn, Highland a step closer
The intersection of Fairbairn Street and Highland Road is a step closer to having traffic signals after city councillors, sitting as general committee Monday, supported a recommendation to install the lights for a cost of about $140,000.
The lights, which were formally requested by nearby Highland Heights Public School earlier this year, must still be approved by city council when it next meets in Sept. 10.
Northcrest Ward Coun. Dave Haacke said the signals are much-needed as he thanked staff for the work they have put into plans.
“Thank you very much for listening to the people.”
Ashburnham Ward Coun.
Gary Baldwin asked if the signals would snarl traffic if not co-ordinated with the signals at Fairbairn Street and Parkhill Road.
Wayne Jackson, the city’s commissioner of infrastructure and planning, said he wasn’t sure if the intersections are close enough for that to happen, but would investigate.
“It’s certainly something we could look at.”
Baldwin wanted to know if walking signals with numbers that countdown like he has seen in other cities could be installed. Jackson said they will start appearing in Peterborough next year, starting downtown.
They weren’t planning to install them at Fairbairn and Highland, but he said he’d talk to staff about the possibility.
Jackson said he isn’t sold on the countdown signals – they come with disadvantages, like driver’s being able to see them, too.
Otonabee Ward Coun. Dan McWilliams, who does not support signals at the intersection, asked if there is evidence the lights could increase the amount of traffic driving on Highland – effectively increasing the number of vehicles passing the school.
With the addition of traffic signals, some drivers may find is easier to access Fairbairn via Highland over Wolsely Street, Jackson said. “The potential is there.”
Construction of the traffic signals could be done before the end of October.