City to bag parking meters at Albert and Gore

City staff have been asked to make further recommendations for crash prevention by early in March

One person was taken to hospital after a two-vehicle crash at the Albert/Gore intersection on Jan. 12. James Hopkin/SooToday

Parking meters on the west side of Gore St. just south of Albert will be covered with bags as soon as possible to see whether fewer accidents result at Crashbag Corners.

City councillors unanimously asked for the test bagging tonight during a discussion of the controversial intersections at Albert and Gore and Albert and Andrew.

Ward 2 Councillor Susan Myers said the effect of parked vehicles there on sightlines is evident to anyone passing through the Albert/Gore intersection.

"To me, it's a visibility issue at that corner," said Ward 6 Councillor Ozzie Grandinetti.

Ward 4 Councillor Lou Turco said Albert and Gore is the Sault's crashiest intersection, with 23 collisions reported, resulting in 43 injuries.

The adjacent Albert/Andrew interection ranks Number 2 in accidents, Turco said.

Traffic lights at the two corners were removed during the 2016 Gore St. reconstruction.

Turco has been fighting to get the signals put back.

"What drivers have to do is change their driving habits overnight," he told tonight's meeting of City Council.

"We have five lights on Wellington St. between Gore St. and the underpass. Why do we need five lights there?" Turco asked.

"Why did we just put flashing lights at the corner of Albert and Tancred St. just recently, but not Gore St?"

Last August, City Council directed that extra-large stop signs be installed in an attempt to prevent further crashes at the intersection, as well as 'starburst signs' drawing attention to the new stop signs.

Large thermoplastic signs were also placed on the road surface stating STOP AHEAD.

But the accidents have continued, with Gore St. business owner Joanne Denis faithfully posting webcam crash videos on her Facebook page.

Tonight, councillors voted in favour of a Turco resolution asking city staff to further investigate problems at the intersections and bring recommendations to the March 5 council meeting.

Ward 3 Councillor Matthew Shoemaker voted against the resolution.

Ward 6 Councillor Joe Krmpotich was absent.