THUNDER BAY – The City of Thunder Bay is ready to push ahead with removal of two sets of traffic lights after receiving few concerns from the public.
Traffic signals at the intersections of Donald and Vickers streets and Frederica and Brown streets are both set for decommissioning this summer, to be replaced with four-way stops.
Both locations have long failed to meet provincial standards setting out when traffic signals are recommended, city staff have reported, while removal would cut costs and idling, and improve traffic flow.
City council approved the planned removal in March, subject to a public notice process.
That unearthed only a small handful of objections, outweighed by support from other residents.
The city’s engineering department received one phone call citing a desire to maintain a controlled crossing signal for pedestrians at Donald and Vickers, it said.
McKellar ward councillor Brian Hamilton said another constituent had initially expressed concern to him, but had been reassured by the plan to install the four-way stop.
Engineering received two phone calls and two emails regarding removal of the lights at Brown and Frederica. Three were supportive of removal, while one felt the lights should remain.
Westfort ward councillor Kristen Oliver reported hearing from five residents in support of removal, and two opposed.
“Due to the limited number of area residents expressing concern for the proposed traffic signal removals, administration has not deemed a community consultation [meeting] necessary to address concerns,” the city concluded.
That leaves removal set to go ahead this summer. Council will still need to pass an amendment to its traffic by-law formalizing the changes.
