Work has started to improve what former East Ferris Mayor Bill Vrebosch has called, "one of the most dangerous intersections in the area."
It's the intersection of Highway 94 and 17 E.
"What a relief. After more than 20 years of requests and meetings, it looks like a safe crossing is finally on its way," Vrebosch told BayToday.
"The contractor will be working on grading components over the winter," says Kristin Franks, Media Advisor with the MTO. "These intersection improvements include the installation of permanent traffic signals, pavement rehabilitation including lowering the profile west of the intersection and drainage improvements."
That means a traffic light will be installed at the intersection and vehicles will have to come to a full stop when the light turns red. A hill just before the intersection for motorists heading east will be flattened to allow the new traffic lights to be more visible.
"As Mayor of the previous East Ferris council, we petitioned the Ministry of Transportation to fix this deadly and fearful situation on behalf of the East Ferris residents who would often take an alternate route in order to avoid the crossing," explained Vrebosch. "I’m hoping the three elements of the request are still in order; street lights, lowering of the hill on the western side, and extending the passing lane past Johnson Road where residents turning left had to stop 90 kilometre an hour traffic to turn to turn safely.
"To all the MTO officials I chased and petitioned for many years, I say thank you."
Teranorth Construction & Engineering Limited was the successful contractor with a contract value of $5,951,000.
"Highway 17 traffic will be shifted onto a temporary two-lane detour in order to complete these intersection improvements," says Franks. "The ministry anticipates this detour will be in place from early July to mid-September. Rock blasting operations over late winter into summer will require temporary day-time closures of Highway 17."
"It's a major initiative for us," stated Mayor Pauline Rochefort, who says it's an emotional issue for residents and recalls as a girl, a traffic death there.
"I can remember as a young child, it was the first death I recall in the community. It stays with you. It was a road accident at the intersection and involved a young woman."
Rochefort explains that the north side of the highway is growing with more people living on Centennial Crescent and requests for a safer intersection have grown over the years.
A roundabout had been considered but rejected by residents.
"We heard clearly from the citizens that they wanted something that they viewed as safer from their perspective so it's been an ongoing discussion for many years."
The ministry anticipates construction will be completed by fall.
