Lou Turco fights to get traffic lights restored at Crashbag Corners

On just one day this month, there were three accidents with injuries at Albert and Gore, Councillor Turco says

This two-vehicle collision happened shortly after 3:30 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 12 at the intersection of Gore and Albert. James Hopkin/SooToday

Ward 4 Councillor Lou Turco will ask City Council tomorrow to take yet another look at the controversial Crashbag Corners neighbourhood in downtown's west end.

In a resolution to be presented to City Council on Monday, Turco and his Ward 6 counterpart Ozzie Grandinetti say Albert and Gore was the city's crashiest intersection in 2017, with the adjacent Albert/Andrew intersection ranked second.

Traffic signals were removed there during the 2016 Gore St. reconstruction.

But residents had ongoing safety concerns and Turco and fellow Ward 4 Councillor Rick Niro tried unsuccessfully last summer to get the traffic lights restored.

Instead, oversized stop signs and 'sunburst' symbols were used in an attempt to calm traffic.

On Monday, Turco will argue that an alarming number of accidents continue at the two intersections.

Local resident Joanne Denis has posted a dramatic series of webcam crash videos on her Facebook page.

The following is the full text of Turco's resolution.

Monday's City Council meeting will be livestreamed on SooToday starting at 4:30 p.m.

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Traffic lights Gore/Albert and Albert/Andrew streets

Mover: Councillor L. Turco

Seconder: Councillor O. Grandinetti

Whereas in or about the fall of 2016 following construction in the Gore St. area traffic lights were removed from the intersections of Gore and Albert streets and Albert and Andrew streets; and

Whereas after the traffic lights were removed from these intersections, there appeared to be more accidents occurring in the immediate months following; and

Whereas city staff suggested that the drivers need time to get used to the new intersections; and

Whereas ample time has passed and this does not appear to be the case; and

Whereas the following actions were taken by public works as per the direction of City Council on August 21, 2017:

extra-large stop signs were installed replacing existing signs
“new” starburst signs indicating the STOP sign were installed
thermoplastic wording was installed on the roadway stating STOP AHEAD; and

Whereas public works and transportation indicated that staff would continue to monitor the intersections and provide updates to council; and

Whereas to date the situation has not improved and current statistics indicate that there are unprecedented numbers of accidents involving these intersections with the Gore and Albert St. intersection ranking first as having the most accidents for the year 2017 and Gore and Andrew streets ranking second; and

Whereas on one day alone in January 2018, there were three accidents with personal injuries at the Albert and Gore St. intersection; and

Whereas the neighbours continue to be upset; and

Whereas the sightlines at Albert and Gore streets continue to be a concern to drivers who park on the west side of Gore St. making it difficult to see oncoming traffic on Gore St. at the Albert St. intersection; and

Whereas the city has recently purchased properties on Gore St. that could provide off-street parking to businesses on Gore St. to alleviate the sightline problem by removing some of the parking spots;

Now therefore be it resolved that staff be requested to further investigate these scenarios and bring a recommendation back to council by the March 5 council meeting to rectify this problem including the reinstallation of the traffic lights at these two intersections.

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