Out-of-date highway

The current setup of the highway between Wabush and Labrador City mixed with increased traffic is a recipe for disaster, according to one councillor.

Clarence Hoyles spoke very strongly at last Tuesday's council meeting about the need for safety measu res in the area, and said it's time something is done.

"With the increase of activity here, there has been a big increase of traffic," he pointed out. "And, I am talking heavy traffic; truckers in and out of town and between the two towns."

Hoyles said the highway is provincial jurisdiction and he requested both towns go after government to provide the upgrades and safety measures.

"There are no less than 16 intersections between the [traffic] lights in Labrador City and the stop sign at the hotel here in Wabush," Hoyles explained. "There should be a continuous turning lane on the west and east side of that highway; that would cover the industrial park. Now it doesn't address the issue of traffic coming out there by Rona's, that's a different issue. Coming from the lights on Avalon in Labrador City, on towards the tracks, any heavy traffic that's going to the industrial park, you have no way of knowing where he is going to turn off, or when. Even the turning lane, turning down Javelin Road, that is woefully inadequate, the room is just not there. We need to get our MHA involved with this."

Tripled traffic

Mayor Ron Barron agreed with Hoyles.

"I can attest to the amount of traffic that's here now, it has tripled," he said. "Where I work I have to cross the road to remove flags and I have to stand there on any given day lately sometimes five and ten minutes before I can go across."

Hoyles commented that 10 years ago he could leave Wabush to drive to Labrador City and he would only meet two or three cars.

"Right now it's a steady stream of traffic," he said. "We have 2010 traffic volumes driving on roads from the 1970s that haven't been changed."

Bottleneck worries

The town manager, Brian Hudson, said he had a discussion with Coun. Hoyles on this concern and both men wondered if this can be tied to the development of the new underpass Consolidated Thompson (CLM) is schedules to start construction on this summer.

"With the new underpass, we want to make sure that it can accommodate extra lanes," said Hudson. "So, that if we eventually go to four-lane system, we don't want to be bottlenecked at the underpass."

Mayor Barron interjected saying he had a conversation with Greg Mercer of CLM and he got an understanding the existing road will remain.

"My understanding of it is, the underpass will go alongside the existing road," said Barron. "It's going to cost $11 million I was told. I guess it will have to start a nice way's back (to get the grade)...I'd say by the CF (L) co. turnoff or further. But it's supposed to be finished by 2011."

Traffic study needed

A traffic study of the area might be a good idea, according to Mayor Barron who said he understands fully the concerns of Coun. Hoyles.

"I know he is concerned and rightfully so," said the mayor in a telephone interview. "I have never seen the like of the traffic that there's now before and the speeds. But I am thankful the police are patrolling that more. Hopefully that will continue."

Barron said there is a big concern within council as well for the traffic coming out of the industrial park and it will have to be addressed very soon.

"We are still unclear on what to do there," he said. "The traffic that is coming out of there is a safety concern for sure, especially by the Rona intersection. It's very dangerous because it's on a turn and it's blind."

'Enter only' option

Barron said cutting back the tree line would certainly make it safer but he isn't sure if that's enough.

"That would alleviate some of the concern, but when you got 80-km traffic there, you come right up on that intersection pretty fast," he said. "We have some other ideas but some of the businesses in the industrial park have concerns."

One of those options is making the intersection (near Rona) an 'enter only'. Even though it's one some businesses see as a hindrance, it may come to that.

"There are some concerns, yes," said Barron. "But at the end of the day, the decision will be made in the best interest of safety."