North Bay works to make dangerous intersection safer
Richie Gushulak says it's not uncommon to see a vehicle collision happening at the intersection where he lives.
Gushulak lives beside the intersection of Algonquin Avenue and Front Street and Jane Street. He calls it a traffic hazard where crashes frequently occur.
“It’s just too gnarly," he said.
"I’ve seen a vehicle up a post … I’ve seen vehicles upside down. We’ve seen lots of accidents here.”
According to North Bay police statistics, five collisions occurred there last year and eight so far this year.
"We believe due to the layout of the intersection,” said Sgt. Matthew Parker.
“It’s at the bottom of a steep hill despite it being a school zone and 50 km/h zone."
With a high school at the intersection and a steep decline coming south down Algonquin, it can be a difficult intersection to navigate.
“There are some junctions in that area as well that offer limited visibility,” said Parker.
City council recently voted to support a $1.7 million intersection redesign to widen it starting this week, in the hopes it will make it safer for drivers and pedestrians.
"There were general comments even four years ago when we first looked at (it)," said Coun. Chris Mayne.
Construction crews will create opposing left-hand turning lanes at the intersection, reconfigure the traffic lights and signals and move the nearby Algonquin Regiment memorial monument.
"What they're trying to do is realign all of the lanes of traffic so they're opposing left-hand turns so people aren't turning left blind and that's where people tend to get clipped," said Mayne.
Work on the intersection re-design should be completed by the end of October or early November.
Gushulak said it would hopefully make the intersection safer.
“I think you’ll see the number of collisions and accidents reduced significantly,” he said.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Iran fires air defence batteries in provinces as sound of explosions heard near Isfahan
Iran fired air defence batteries early Friday morning after reports of explosions near the city of Isfahan, the state-run IRNA news agency reported.
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
Nearly half of China's major cities are sinking, researchers say
Nearly half of China's major cities are suffering 'moderate to severe' levels of subsidence, putting millions at risk of flooding especially as sea levels rise.
Prince Harry formally confirms he is now a U.S. resident
Prince Harry, the son of King Charles III and fifth in line to the British throne, has formally confirmed he is now a U.S. resident.
Judge says 'no evidence fully supports' murder case against Umar Zameer as jury starts deliberations
The judge presiding over the trial of a man accused of fatally running over a Toronto police officer is telling jurors the possible verdicts they may reach based on the evidence in the case.
Health Canada to change sperm donor screening rules for men who have sex with men
Health Canada will change its longstanding policy restricting gay and bisexual men from donating to sperm banks in Canada, CTV News has learned. The federal health agency has adopted a revised directive removing the ban on gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men, effective May 8.
Colin Jost names one celebrity who is great at hosting 'Saturday Night Live'
Colin Jost, who co-anchors Saturday Night Live's 'Weekend Update,' revealed who he thinks is one of the best hosts on the show.
Sports columnist apologizes for 'oafish' comments directed at Caitlin Clark. The controversy isn't over
A male columnist has apologized for a cringeworthy moment during former University of Iowa superstar and college basketball's highest scorer Caitlin Clark's first news conference as an Indiana Fever player.
'Shopaholic' author Sophie Kinsella reveals brain cancer diagnosis
Sophie Kinsella, the best-selling author behind the 'Shopaholic' book series, has revealed that she is receiving treatment for brain cancer.