Residents are hoping the city will take action after a number of collisions and close calls at a north-ward intersection.
Jessica Martin has lived near the corner of Brant and Laclie streets for about a year and said the frequency of collisions is concerning.
“We’ll just be sitting around the house and hear horns constantly,” she said.
Earlier this week, a young child was among those involved in a crash that saw one of the vehicles collide with a hydro pole. The child appeared to be uninjured, Martin said.
“They were OK but upset,” she said. “A lot of the neighbours came out to help.”
She wants to see some kind of traffic-calming measure put in place, as speeding is also a concern. There are no stop signs, and only two sets of stop lights, for the entirety of Laclie Street.
“They’re speeding on that road and there’s nothing to slow them down,” Martin said. “They’re booking it to Front (Street).”
She would like to see a four-way stop installed at Brant and Laclie streets, but she’d be happy with any measure, including a blinking light, the city could take to address what she calls “the most dangerous intersection in Orillia.”
“It’s a shame to watch (collisions) happen over and over again. This can be prevented,” she said, adding she and some of her neighbours are considering petitioning the city.
Coun. Pat Hehn said she was contacted this week by a resident who shared Martin’s concerns. She spoke with fellow Ward 4 Coun. Tim Lauer and said the two plan to introduce an inquiry motion at the next council meeting.
“We have heard from a resident and, because we share the concerns, we are bringing it forward,” she said.
If supported by a majority of council, the motion would direct staff to look into potential measures that could be taken at the intersection. That would require staff to take a number of steps, including traffic counts and looking at collision data.
