Following a June 24 accident at County Road 14 and County Road 6 in Eagle Lake, Dzintra Zarins called for an all-way stop at Eagle Lake’s main intersection.
She witnessed the aftermath of the collision between an SUV and pick-up truck that morning, which totaled both vehicles and sent a number of people to hospital.
Zarins said she had been living near the “problematic” intersection for 11 years. She added her neighbours had been there 20, and witnessed at least six accidents, but said their requests for action had been pushed aside.
“I’m so sick of this intersection,” Zarins said. “Everybody keeps bypassing it. We’ve been here almost 11 years and we’ve clocked 110km coming down through a 50km zone…like insane…and this could have been seriously fatal as well.”
She called on officials to “at least make it a four-way stop. (It has been a two-way stop). What would that cost? This is just stupid. I’ve watched kids jump guardrails because yoyos are doing 110km and drinking.”
She added the intersection puts kids and elderly at risk as it is right near a busy general store and just down the road from a public beach.
On Aug. 27, residents of Eagle Like got the action they had been asking for as County councillors voted in favor of creating a new all-way stop at the intersection.
Director of public works, Sylvin Cloutier, tabled a report calling for the all-way stop at Haliburton Lake Road and Eagle Lake Road “due to safety concerns related to restricted sightlines and an increase in collision occurrences.”
He said it would improve driver awareness, and enhance safety by reducing confusion and potential collisions.
There have been stop signs only on County Road 6, with County Road 14 uncontrolled.
Cloutier said drivers on County Road 6 have limited sightlines, especially when attempting to cross or enter County Road 14 from a stopped position because of a rock cut, curve, and a residential building. The intersection does not conform with the Ontario Traffic Manual.
Cloutier added, “there have been recent right-angle and turning collisions at this intersection. These crashes are consistent with sight-distance related issues at two-way stop intersections. With increasing local traffic volumes due to residential and business activity in the area, the risk of additional incidents may increase if no action is taken.”
The change will see installing two new stop signs on County Road 14 in both directions, retaining the existing two on County Road 6, installing all-way tabs beneath all four stop signs and installing an advisory stop head with ‘new’ tab signs on Country Road 14.
The price tag is $1,200, covered under the public works department budget.
Cloutier said staff would place ‘new traffic pattern ahead’ warning signs to inform drivers of the change, notify emergency services, residents and road maintenance crews, and put notices on social media and the County’s website.
Coun. Walt McKechnie thanked staff and council for the action.
“Needless to say, I live around that area and say thanks on behalf of all my constituents, and tourists. I frequent that area quite often and it is a very dangerous area. I think this is a great thing for our community.”
