Will there be flashing yellow lights on Airport Road?

One of the last flashing yellow lights in the city of Sault Ste. Marie failed and was removed early this fall and City Council has asked for a study to see if it needs to be replaced.

"[To the best of my knowledge] a study was never done to see if we needed the flashing yellow light on the corner of Airport Road and Base Line," says Larry Girardi, Commissioner, Public Works and Transportation.

He also says it's not typical to put flashing yellow lights at an intersection like this one. 

"They're usually used in school crossing zones and areas like that," he said. "But we'll do anything City Council wants us to do."

Girardi said the flashing yellow light that used to hang over Airport Road at Base Line was installed sometime around 1958 after a person was killed in a collision at or near that intersection.

While some people are arguing for caution lights on Airport Road because of the steep grade at the intersection others are saying it isn't necessary.

On Monday night City Council approved a motion to commission a traffic study to determine if lights are needed to replace the broken one. 

If it is replaced, it will be with flashing yellow solar placed on the intersection warning signs located on Airport Road about 100 metres north and south of Base Line, Girardi said.

He expects a call for proposals on the study to go out next week and hopes to bring a report back to council as soon as possible.

To watch this discussion, click here and go to 2:17 on the video.