Following another vehicular collision on Algonquin Avenue, Monique Peters feels it is her duty to continue to speak up about what she believes to be dangerous conditions on one of the city’s major thoroughfares.
Peters has appeared twice previously on this particular subject, accompanied once by Dr. Rebecca Seidler, a veterinarian who is still unable to work due to post-concussion injuries suffered in a collision on Algonquin.
Peters has long maintained that the City of North Bay is bound by a duty to protect its citizens to make changes to the problem areas on the busy road.
She proposes that the left turn lane used to turn onto Landsdowne from Algonquin be lengthened. Peters says that under the current configuration only two cars often are able to turn on one left turn light.
Seidler’s collision occurred just beyond those lights, in the left-hand southbound lane where another vehicle had stopped to turn into the Esso. Peters says speeds of vehicles coming off the highway are exceeding the limits. Drivers see only the green light but not the car stopped to turn just past the lights.
To remedy this situation, Peters suggests that a median is inserted on the south side of the Landsdowne/Norwood intersection, preventing left turns from and onto Algonquin Avenue at the Esso.
Councillor Tanya Vrebosch says that the City is working on improving safety. Traffic counts have commenced, but Vrebosch says that due to the length and size of Algonquin, the studies will take time. Each segment of the road takes up to two weeks, so it will not happen overnight, she adds.
Vrebosch stresses that the City is not taking the situation lightly, but also cautions that there is a shared responsibility for drivers and pedestrians to navigate the busy road safely.
