A variety of traffic calming measures are set for the University Avenue and Old Barrie Road intersection after the OPP raised concerns about numerous collisions in the area.
According to police statistics, 37 collisions have taken place at the intersection between January 2018 and January 2023, with 42 total taking place in the area over that time. About 70 per cent of these incidents resulted from southbound traffic on University Avenue getting into rear end collisions towards the intersection.
Speeding is an issue along University Avenue, as well, with the 85th percentile speed hitting 66 hm/h travelling northbound and 69 km/h travelling southbound, against a speed limit of 50 km/h.
The posted speed limit on University Avenue is 50km/h and the 85th percentile speed for traffic travelling northbound is 66km/h and for southbound traffic is 69km/h.
Earlier this year, OPP officials spoke to their concerns at a city council meeting, and on Monday council endorsed a slate of traffic calming measures to help reduce the number of collisions in the area.
City staff reported that poor visibility due to the downhill view of the traffic signals, excessive speed, and long distance between traffic signals may have contributed to an increase in collisions at the intersection, and recommended the following changes to council:
- Installing a radar speed display sign at the boulevard near Rotary Place;
- Implementing a right-turn green arrow for westbound traffic on Old Barrie Road while traffic on University Avenue has a green light to improve the flow of traffic and reduce rear-end collisions; and
- Adding intersection turning lines to help drivers stay in the proper lane when travelling through the intersection
The recommended changes will complement other projects being carried out in the area, city staff said.
“The installation of traffic lights at Swinimer Drive North and University Avenue is expected to reduce the number of speeders along University, as well as offer an alternative for left-turn movements,” said project engineer Steven Murphy.
The Ministry of Transportation has plans to replace the Old Barrie Road/Highway 12/Highway 11 interchange, as well. Construction is anticipated to begin in 2026, and will include the widening of Highway 12/Old Barrie Road to two through lanes in each direction.
“Further improvements are recommended … such as a dual left turning lane for southbound traffic. This will improve intersection flow, and reduce the queue length for vehicles turning,” Murphy said. “This project is planned to align with the MTO bridge construction starting in 2026.”
Coun. Tim Lauer questioned whether any thought has been given to measures that might reduce speed along University Avenue.
“Whatever you build is what you're gonna get, and I think that particular road is built like a highway. Is there any merit (to) thinking in terms of retrofitting that whole road, as in putting in medians, and then other things like that that might calm people down along there?” asked Lauer.
“At this time, we're not … looking at specific traffic calming for that whole corridor. It is specific to this intersection where the collisions are,” responded Murphy. “With future recommendations from the Orillia west transportation study, that does look at traffic flow and volumes.”
Council supported the proposed changes, and directed staff to prepare a bylaw amendment for the proposed traffic calming measures, which will be effective March 31, 2024.
