Improved pedestrian crossing coming to Elgin Park Drive

DARRYL KNIGHT The Standard

UXBRIDGE: Improvements for pedestrians and other trail users are on the way to Elgin Park Dr., with council asking staff to take a closer look at possible changes to the road’s speed limit.

At a recent Uxbridge Council meeting, on Tuesday, August 13th, Courtney Clarke, Assistant Director of Public Works, Parks and Trails, alongside Kyle Brennan, Operations and Capital Project Manager, presented a report on the Elgin Park Drive Speed Limit and Trail Crossing Review.

The review, conducted by Safe Roads Engineering Inc. (SRE) at the request of the Township of Uxbridge, assessed safety concerns along Elgin Park Drive, particularly focusing on the Wooden Sticks Trail crossing.

Elgin Park Dr. currently has a posted speed limit of 40 km/h. Despite this, SRE's findings revealed a significant portion of drivers exceed the speed limit, with only about four percent adhering to it, while approximately 25 percent travel at speeds over 60 km/h. The Transportation Association of Canada (TAC) guidelines suggest increasing the speed limit, to 60 km/h, based on road conditions. However, due to the presence of the trail crossing, it was recommended the speed limit remain unchanged.

The field assessment, conducted earlier this year, on June 3rd, included an examination of traffic volumes, speeds, pavement markings, signage, and trail crossing users. While the road's pavement markings were found to be in good condition, the sight distance, for trail users approaching the crossing, was deemed insufficient, particularly on the north side. This lack of visibility poses a safety risk which requires immediate attention.

Noting the continued issues with speed limit compliance written in the report, members of council expressed a desire to see an increase in speed limit, at least in some sections of the road.

Regional Councillor, Bruce Garrod pitched a plan which would see the road continue to be 40 km/h, from Confederation Dr. to Toronto St., while the section between Main St. and Confederation Dr. could be increased to 50 km/h.

Ward 4 Councillor, Willie Popp noted, he has heard numerous safety concerns as the area’s representative on council, but was willing to discuss all possibilities for traffic in the area.

“I like it at 40, but I am not opposed to having a discussion to see how [a speed limit change] could work,” Councillor Popp explained. “If our public works people find a way which could make it happen, while still having the utmost in safety at that area, in that corridor. I think we have to consider all pieces.”

Public Works Director, Ben Kester noted, there is a recommendation, flashing lights with a button for pedestrian crossing be installed, at the trail crossing, on Elgin Park Dr. Mr. Kester noted, the lights would need to be in place, regardless of the speed limit, and urged councillors to move forward with that recommendation in the report, and refer the speed limit discussion back to staff and the traffic consultants.

Ultimately, councillors moved the recommendations in the report, and then asked for a further report from staff, on the possibility of splitting the Elgin Park Dr. speed limit.