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Midwestern

County reaches decision on troublesome intersection

Huron County council has reached a decision on how to deal with problems at the intersection of county roads 4 and 25 in Blyth.

Council had heard in the past there are some problems at the intersection, both with the two roads not lining up exactly at right angles and also some elevation issues that made visibility difficult at times. The options presented to county council were to do nothing, to put in traffic signals, to put in a one-lane roundabout or put in a two-lane roundabout.

North Huron Reeve, Bernie Bailey, said he preferred a one-lane roundabout because he thought it would save energy and protect the environment.

"I actually thought a round about would be the best way to go, it seemed to be an energy saver and save the environment a bit. But after the discussion I realized that there's just no place there for a round about, so the signal lights will be the way to go and the different turn lanes will really help out."

Bailey adds, one of the biggest challenges at the intersection has been getting people to slow down as they come into town, and he says the lights will address that concern.

"So it is a matter of getting everyone to slow down and the lights will bring you to a complete stop. You will be able to see the lights from quite a distance, but the way it's set up now, if somebody pulls out of 25 and you're going south, that's where you have a lot of problems because you can't get slowed down in time."

Bailey says the traffic lights will also make it much easier for pedestrians trying to cross the road at that intersection.

Warden Glen McNeil also supported the installation of traffic light, not only as an effective way of addressing the immediate concerns, but also problems in the future. McNeil points out, traffic volume is likely to increase as the pandemic winds down.

"We probably have not seen as high as traffic in the COVID pandemic as we will see going forward. So as more people move into Huron County and choose to live along the lake, we will get more traffic going east and west."

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