The City of Orillia will soon upgrade the traffic lights at the intersection of West Street North and Fittons Road, following concerns about vehicle and pedestrian safety in the area.
Later this week, advanced turn lanes are expected to be in place in all four directions, with left-turn timings varying depending on the time of day, city staff reported in Friday’s council information package.
City staff received the equipment needed for the upgrades last week, with the work expected to be carried out this week, city staff told OrilliaMatters.
Concerns were initially brought forward to city hall by councillors Jay Fallis and Jeff Czetwerzuk, who heard from citizens and motorists that the intersection was not safe.
“There were two major things we heard a lot about, (and) one was the need for an advanced left turn lane … because so many cars were backing up, and there were a lot of close calls,” Fallis told OrilliaMatters. “The other thing we heard a lot about, too, was pedestrians crossing at that intersection, and that being a major worry.”
The upgrades also include pedestrian countdown timers and audible signals, set for installation in August, which will reduce wait times for pedestrians and help quell concerns about students walking to and from public schools in the area, Fallis said.
“I'm actually a part of this committee at Orchard Park that looks at pedestrian safety for students that go to the school, and that intersection was one of the intersections identified as something we need to really look at in terms of addressing safety and crossing,” he said.
“It's a real upgrade from what's currently there, and they'll really increase pedestrian safety too.”
Left-turn timings at the intersection vary from 6:30 a.m. to 10 a.m., 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., and 6:30 p.m. to 6:30 a.m., city staff report, based on “studies conducted by staff over several years.”
Fallis credited city staff for implementing the upgrades without the need to overhaul the intersection.
"Council put forward the idea, but staff have gone above and beyond, making it all happen, and doing it in a way that's actually very affordable," he said. "They didn't have to re-do the whole intersection."
