Perth South to review traffic concerns on Perth Line 16

By Galen Simmons

Perth South staff will take a closer look at traffic and safety concerns along a stretch of Perth Line 16 after residents called on the municipality to consider reducing the speed limit and installing additional warning signs.

At its Aug. 11 meeting, council heard a delegation from Dr. Angus Maciver, who lives on Line 16 between Avonbank Church and Perth Road 130 and spoke on behalf of residents concerned about increasing traffic volumes and vehicle speeds.

Maciver told council the problem has existed for years, but traffic has steadily increased and has been made worse this year by construction at the Russeldale roundabout.

“Safety is the big one,” Maciver said. “There are at least two farmers that have to go up towards the church, towards the west, and a wide tractor takes up at least 70 per cent of the road.”

With narrow shoulders, hills that limit sightlines, numerous driveways and farm equipment regularly travelling the road, Maciver said residents worry it is only a matter of time before there is a serious collision.

“To me, it’s an accident waiting to happen,” he said.

In a letter to council, Maciver said the road has an unsigned speed limit of 80 km/hr, while residents regularly see tractor trailers, dump trucks and passenger vehicles travelling significantly faster. Residents are asking the township to consider reducing the speed limit to at least 60 km/hr and installing signage warning drivers about wide farm vehicles.

Maciver, a retired general surgeon who treated victims of vehicle collisions during his career, also pointed to the Transportation Association of Canada’s guidelines for establishing posted speed limits. He said several factors that could warrant a reduction are present on Line 16, including vertical curves, narrow lanes and shoulders, roadside hazards and numerous driveways.

Council members familiar with the road echoed those concerns.

Coun. Jaime Martin suggested council could immediately move toward a 60-km/hr speed limit and hidden-driveway signage, noting some driveways are difficult for motorists to see as they crest the hills.

Township CAO Will Jaques, however, recommended first reviewing the conditions and criteria for a speed reduction and bringing a report back to council.

“I think a lot of the warrants may lead us to that conclusion, but I would still prefer if we stick with the deputy mayor’s recommendation,” Jaques told council. “I would still prefer the opportunity for staff just to review, just to make sure that everything is there.”

The review will also consider appropriate signage along the road.

Coun. Jeff Bell recalled his own family’s experience with safety issues on Line 16 dating back decades, saying his brother suffered a serious injury after being forced off the road while riding a bicycle in the 1980s.

“I don’t move equipment down that road anymore,” he said, adding he instead uses Line 15 because of its better visibility. “I would certainly support any traffic-calming activities in that area.”

Council ultimately approved a motion from Deputy Mayor Bob Wilhelm, seconded by Coun. Martin, directing staff to bring back a report on potential traffic-calming measures.

Staff indicated the report could return to council in September.