Letters

Right hand turn lane needed for Yonge and Wellington

January 21, 2015   ·   0 Comments

Well, here we go again.
Another new Council left the task of remedying the ever continuing traffic congestion at the Yonge/Wellington intersection from the previous council. That’s why I wasn’t surprised to see the front page story in The Auroran last week that Council was going to look at the situation. AGAIN!
I have been lobbying for a dedicated right hand turn lane from southbound Yonge to westbound Wellington for almost 15 years.
It is the only viable solution to lessen the traffic problems at that intersection, yet no one on Council seems to get this idea.
Timing of traffic lights, no left turns, even a roundabout idea for the corner has been given consideration, yet no consideration for the one solution that would eliminate the majority of traffic concerns.
Now, Councillor Mrakas thinks he is being proactive by bringing forth a Notice of Motion calling on the Region of York to do more studies on this situation and give suggestions as to what should be done.
I can hear the laughter at the Region right now as they read yet another request from Aurora Town Council. How many studies have to be done?
As pointed out in The Auroran article, studies on the Yonge/Wellington traffic problem date back to 1997. One such study actually evaluated the need for a right hand turn lane from Yonge to Wellington and the conclusion of the study said that it was “warranted” but the onus for completing this job was on Aurora, as Yonge Street at that intersection is under their jurisdiction.
This same recommendation from the Region went on to say that the job could be completed rather quickly, pending the tendering out of the job.
All this would take is the expropriation of a little land in front of the BMO, which there is plenty. Look across the street to Wellington Street East and the right hand turn lane to northbound Yonge from a Regionally-controlled road. The Region identified a traffic congestion problem at that corner, expropriated the land needed from the TD Bank, tendered out the job and it was completed, much to the delight of commuters using that corner. So what is the problem with Aurora’s Town Council?
Councillor Mrakas’ plan would suggest No Left Turns at Yonge and Wellington during peak hours. Exactly where does he expect commuters to turn?
They’ll all end up using residential side streets before the corner, resulting in complaints coming from those neighbourhoods and I wouldn’t blame them at all for complaining.
The next thing would be to erect no turning signs at those residential streets during certain hours. You see where this is going?
I urge Town Council to visit the idea of installing a right hand turn lane at this corner. This is a suggestion from the Region of York study requested back in the day from Aurora Town Council, yet all Council did was say “Thanks” and did not act on it. Why ask for any studies in the first place if you’re not going to act on any of the recommendations?

Mark Holmes
Aurora

         

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