Sarnia city councillor Bill Dennis. Blackburn News file photo by Melanie Irwin.Sarnia city councillor Bill Dennis. Blackburn News file photo by Melanie Irwin.
Sarnia

Sarnia councillor issues call for lights at busy intersection

Another serious crash at Indian Road and Cathcart Boulevard in Sarnia, has prompted a renewed call for traffic lights at the busy intersection.

Councillor Bill Dennis said the latest crash happened August 31, but there have been dozens in that spot over the years.

He said residents are growing concerned with safety and something needs to be done.

"Lights don't necessarily stop all tragedies or all accidents but they certainly lower them significantly," said Dennis. "Traffic lights lowered the number of accidents significantly at the corner of Lakeshore and Murphy, and at the corner of Modeland and Michigan, there are a number of examples. Something has to be done."

Dennis said city staff committed to doing a study following a presentation to council by Janette Ridell in July. She sustained several injuries, including a brain injury, in a crash at the intersection last October.

Dennis said now is the time for action, and we can't put it off until there's another crash.

"There were past recommendations to have lights at that particular intersection," he said. "Previous councils, for whatever reason, chose not to act. When it came to being put in the budget, they chose not to go ahead, whether that was to save some money or whatever. I think that's inexcusable."

Sarnia council is being asked on Monday to direct staff to implement traffic signals and lane reductions at the intersections of Indian Road and Cathcart Boulevard and Murphy Road and Cathcart Boulevard.

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