The Ministry of Transportation is planning improvements at the intersection of Highway 17 and Highway 94. known locally as Corbeil Corners.
"The work does include the installation of traffic lights. There will be active advance warning beacons to advise travellers that there is an upcoming traffic light. Work will also include lowering the grade of the highway, west of the intersection for better sightlines," explained Lara Cantin, Regional Issues and Media Advisor for MTO Northeastern Region.
As part of the design improvements, the existing eastbound acceleration lane will be extended towards Johnson Road to the east.
"That eastbound acceleration lane currently doesn't go all the way to Johnson Road, when the new contract is done, it will, and the Highway 17 shoulder will also be paved just beyond Johnson road," said Cantin.
The cost of the project is not finalized because the contract has not been advertised or awarded.
"The timing of construction has not been determined yet, it depends on property acquisition and funding approvals," said Cantin.
East Ferris Mayor Bill Vrebosch welcomes the proposed improvements, saying he has spent more than 20 years trying to get changes made at that intersection.
"About 10 years ago the MTO put the flashing lights up, but I told them then that it wasn't sufficient. They've done research and we've had public meetings here, and now they've agreed to all of my safety concerns, which is great," said Vrebosch.
"They're going to change the apron up to Johnson road which is a real safety hazard. The most important change is taking the hill down which faces west from that corner which is almost an optical illusion. When you look out and want to make a left turn toward North Bay, the cars coming over this little rise, you don't realize how fast they're coming. It looks like they're further away than they are and it's dangerous."
The Mayor goes on to say;
"The whole intersection has become a major traffic problem for us over the years because as our population increases, East Ferris is now over 5,000, you get more and more vehicles through there, and the MTO realizes they need to do something with that intersection. The work is going to increase the safety there."
Once work begins, it is expected to take one complete construction season to complete.
