As I mentioned in a previous entry, there have been a lot of concerns raised while out at the doors about the area around Thompson Road and Kennedy Circle/Louis St Laurent. After talking with some candidates in the ward across the street (ward 7) those concerns are shared by a lot of people.
I received an email from the engineering department at the town of Milton informing me that some changes are coming. They told me there will be a set of lights installed at the intersection of Clark Blvd and Thompson Road, possibly up and running by the end of July. Further studies have been and will be done again for the following intersections: Thompson & Hepburn, Thompson & Kennedy Circle and Thompson & Louis St Laurent.
Now before the “too many lights” people start raging, this doesn’t mean that there will be lights at each of these intersections. In order for that to happen that intersection needs to meet certain warrants (traffic totals in each direction) before anything happens.
I got further clarification of what is required for a signalled crosswalk, the most popular choice of people living in these areas, to be installed. During a period of study there needs to be approximately 200 pedestrians crossing the street in an 8 hour period. I don’t know exactly when these studies were done in the past but Im sure it comes close to that amount during the summer time.
People on the west side of Thompson Road directly across from the Metro Plaza have repeatedly told me and other Ward 7 candidates that its a challenge to walk to that mall. While they live less than 1KM from the plaza, they are forced to get into their cars and drive over for the fear of crossing Thompson Road. The same goes for the people on the east side of Thompson (our ward 6) trying to take advantage of the beautiful park and soccer fields. We shouldn’t have to get into our cars, to go to a park or go shopping when we live so close.
A signalled crosswalk would be beneficial for these and other people who want to walk in the town of Milton. Who knows when the lights will be put in at Louis St Laurent. LSL is slated for a major expansion this year and next in order to keep up with the growth of the Boyne Survey. There needs to be something at this location sooner.
Send me your email at mike@mikecluett.ca to add your name to a list of people interested in finding out if and when we can get a signalled crosswalk there sooner.
Until then, I’ll see you at the doors.
Comments
6 Responses to “New Lights Coming”
Keep up the fight Mike. Count me in as a voice to get that crosswalk put in place. Whenever my kids want to go to that park, we have to drive…all of 600 metres instead of walking.
I cant imagine there not being 200 people wanting to cross in an 8 hr period. I hope they do the study soon and get things moving for the summer months and soccer season.
Thanks again Mike! As mentioned, this is a cross ward-6/ward-7 concern and it’s great that we can work together on this.
Btw nice seeing you canvasing Winter Crescent earlier this week! My campaign manager (Ryan) was very impressed by you 🙂
Thanks for taking the time to write about this, I feel strongly about this and I take pleasure in learning about this subject. If possible, as you gain facts, please add to this blog with more information. I have found it very useful.
No problem Rick. Thanks for getting on top of this issue as well. As we get more information from the engineering department on timing of lights and possible crosswalks, we can update residents on both side of Thompson Road.
Good luck.
Mike
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Rick Di Lorenzo says:
May 20, 2010 at 2:37 pm (Edit)
Thanks again Mike! As mentioned, this is a cross ward-6/ward-7 concern and it’s great that we can work together on this.
Btw nice seeing you canvasing Winter Crescent earlier this week! My campaign manager (Ryan) was very impressed by you
Thanks Rahim. I got your email as well and Im keeping it with others and letting the town know there is a demand for something here…and soon.
The problem with counting people is the fact there is such an issue with traffic during the summer months and on weekends that people are deterred from trying to cross the street and take their cars instead.
I know that more studies are being done soon and when LSL opens up to 25 the amount of traffic will definately increase the need for lights and some form of crosswalk near that area.
Thanks again for your support.
Mike
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Rahim says:
May 17, 2010 at 8:20 am (Edit)
Keep up the fight Mike. Count me in as a voice to get that crosswalk put in place. Whenever my kids want to go to that park, we have to drive…all of 600 metres instead of walking.
I cant imagine there not being 200 people wanting to cross in an 8 hr period. I hope they do the study soon and get things moving for the summer months and soccer season.
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