Traffic signals are coming to a McGregor intersection, but it remains to be seen when they will be installed.
Essex County council received a report from its director of infrastructure and planning services Allan Botham regarding traffic controls at the intersection of County Road 9 (Howard Ave.) and County Road 10 (Middle Side Road), with Botham stating preliminary discussion and analysis by his department “suggest that conditions will satisfy traffic signal warrants in the very near future.” The intersection has been closed to traffic since last fall due to a bridge replacement but that project was described by Botham as progressing well and “all indications are that construction will be completed on time.”
Barring any last-minute setbacks, that bridge and intersection should re-open by late July.
Botham’s initial recommendation was that traffic lights and the associated infrastructure be included in the 2025 budget for county council’s consideration, but Amherstburg Mayor Michael Prue and Deputy Mayor Chris Gibb pressed for the work to be done sooner.
A notice of motion will be considered at the next meeting of Essex County council.
“As we move to the final phases of construction there are additional components to construct. Additional works such as: controller pads, hand holes, conduit, pole bases, and ground rods. In this circumstance, where the bridge structure covers most of the area of the intersection, this work is ideally suited to a bridge contractor rather than a traffic signal contractor,” Botham stated in his report.
“The estimated cost of added traffic signal infrastructure works, in preparation to install the above ground traffic signal system, is $376,000. Administration has reviewed the cost of the works and recommends that the costs are reasonable in these circumstances. Administration is recommending installation of a traffic signal and will bring forward an item to construct the above ground components of a traffic signal system in the 2025 budget for council’s consideration.”
Botham’s report added that a “significant portion of the traffic signal system needed to be integrated into the bridge structure itself and was carried out concurrently with the bridge construction ongoing. The anticipated cost in 2024 amounts to $376,000. While these expenses were not initially accounted for in the project’s budget, they will be accommodated within the broader 2024 rehabilitation budget with no need for any additional funds. There will be additional traffic signal system costs incurred in 2025. Detailed cost estimates for these integration works will be provided by Administration and presented to council during the 2025 budget deliberations.”
Gibb wanted to know if there would be a cost advantage to the county to put up the lights while the bridge construction crews are still on site or whether it would be better to wait until 2025.
County council was also thanked by the town for approving the lights and getting the work done.
“One could argue there likely could have some cost savings. It’s hard to know what price we would get if we tendered it next year. I can’t really predict that,” said Botham. “We’ve said around (the county council) table many times the cost only goes up as we go forward.”
If the work is done now, it could be more convenient for drivers, Botham added.
Gibb introduced a motion to do the work in 2024, with Botham noting the traffic signal design has been completed with a “rough, preliminary estimate” of $250,000 to complete the rest of the work.
“I think it’s a safety issue as well,” said Prue. “Once you open that road, if it’s opened with new signals and everyone sees how it’s going to work, it’s better than opening it with no signals the way it was then, in a year from now, changing it over.”
Tecumseh Mayor Gary McNamara said adding to an unbudgeted item should mean the issue would better be handled as a notice of motion with a report back to county council.
“I wouldn’t support it tonight,” said McNamara during the June 19 meeting. “Maybe I’ll support in two weeks time but I can’t support it tonight, not knowing the impact.”
The Amherstburg representatives agreed with that suggestion, with Gibb’s motion removed from the table and the notice of motion introduced later in the meeting.
Traffic signals coming to McGregor intersection, timing to be determined
By Ron Giofu
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