Part 1: PEC Traffic Advisory Committee Advances Rural Road Safety and Traffic Calming Plans - 02/28/2024
- PECConnect
- Feb 28, 2024
- 4 min read
The meeting was called to order and livestreamed. The agenda was approved and no conflicts of interest were declared. Kelly McGillivray was reappointed as Chair, and Phil Dawson was appointed Vice Chair. Council later confirmed both appointments through a formal motion.
Minutes from the previous meeting were approved. The Chair also confirmed that a request to rename the committee to the Transportation Advisory Committee was defeated at council, so the committee will continue under its current name.
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Announcements and coordination
Councillor Janice Maynard shared information about an upcoming pedestrian safety campaign being launched through the Community Safety and Well-Being Plan.
Members from the Traffic Advisory Committee and Accessibility Advisory Committee were invited to attend the kickoff meeting on April 29, with volunteers stepping forward to help coordinate efforts.
Public comment on Cherry Valley speed limits
Emily O’Brien spoke about safety concerns on the road entering Cherry Valley from Picton. She explained that speeds currently drop from 80 kilometres per hour directly to 40, creating dangerous conditions near a hill, farm entrances, school bus stops, and cycling routes. She requested a gradual reduction zone, increased police presence, and clearer warning for drivers.
Parking by-law issues on Massasauga Road and Peats Point Road
Staff presented a detailed report responding to complaints about parking during ice fishing season. Up to 30 to 40 vehicles have been parking along both sides of the road, damaging lawns, blocking driveways, and creating safety risks for school buses and emergency vehicles.
Staff proposed extending no-parking zones while informally encouraging parking in a defined area that could safely accommodate up to 50 vehicles. These changes would remain complaint-based and focused on winter conditions. The committee supported the amendments, which will now move to council.
Staff also clarified minor wording changes for North Big Island Road to better define where parking restrictions begin and end. These were housekeeping changes only.
Curve warning sign on County Road 3
A site visit confirmed that drivers accelerate after a series of curves and fail to notice a gradual bend near 3462 County Road 3. Staff agreed a curve warning sign is warranted and will be installed soon, depending on sign availability.
Wilson Road speed request
Staff reviewed a request for speed reduction and signage on Wilson Road. The road functions as a collector route between Highway 62 and County Road 1 and already has posted speeds of 50 and 70 kilometres per hour. Staff advised that lowering speeds or adding markings would not improve safety and could create new risks. The committee received the report for information.
Massassauga Road speed humps request
A request for speed humps and lower speeds was reviewed. Staff advised against traffic calming devices due to emergency access concerns and noted that the curve already provides natural speed reduction. Sightline issues were attributed to trees planted by the resident, not road design. The committee received the report.
Cherry Valley speed transition
Staff confirmed that a transition zone from 80 to 60 to 40 kilometres per hour is required under provincial guidelines. A by-law approving this transition was passed in 2021 but never implemented. Staff confirmed this is now a matter of completing the work, not passing new rules. The committee received the report, with staff following up internally.
County Road 7 horse and rider safety
Staff reviewed a request for safety improvements between Ross Eaton Lane and Birch Lane. The road is currently posted at 80 kilometres per hour and is frequently used by horses and riders. Staff recommended installing horse and rider warning signs with a 70 kilometre advisory speed, consistent with provincial standards. The committee supported the recommendation.
Delhi Park Community Connections Task Team
The Chair provided an update on the Delhi Park project. Extensive consultation has taken place with residents, park users, accessibility groups, and nearby landowners. The emerging design includes one fully accessible main path, with other trails remaining more natural. The project will go to public consultation in April, with a final report expected in May or June.
2023 annual report
The Chair confirmed the committee’s 2023 Annual Report was presented to council earlier in February. The committee formally received it for the record.
Traffic calming initiative for 2024
The committee launched a major discussion on developing county-wide guidelines for speed reduction and traffic calming, focusing first on towns and villages. The goal is to move away from one-off requests and toward a consistent, evidence-based process using low-cost and passive measures wherever possible.
Members discussed lane narrowing, visual cues, policy thresholds, community input, emergency access, and lessons from other municipalities. The committee agreed to begin research work immediately.
Two research tasks were formally assigned: Kevin Morris and Councillor Maynard will review traffic calming policies from other municipalities. Phil Dawson and Kelly McGillivray will review Prince Edward County plans and guiding documents for relevant direction.
Findings will be reported back at a future meeting.
Staff farewell and adjournment
Staff announced that Tony Mack will be leaving the county for a position closer to home. Members thanked him for his work and contributions.
The meeting adjourned at 6:41 p.m., with the next meeting scheduled for May 29, 2024.
Disclaimer: This article is based on a meeting with an approximate duration of 1:41:12. Due to the length of the meeting, our team was not able to independently review the full recording in its entirety. As a result, we relied on software-generated transcription, automated summarization, and automated recognition of speakers and participants, which may not be entirely accurate. All transcriptions, summaries, and related content are prepared by our team in good faith and on a reasonable best-efforts basis. The content is provided for general informational purposes only and is intended to support public understanding of the topics discussed. While reasonable efforts have been made to present the information accurately, automated processes may result in errors, omissions, or unintended misinterpretations. This article does not constitute an official, certified, or verbatim record of the meeting, and it should not be relied upon as such. Readers are encouraged to consult original source materials, official minutes, or recordings where available for confirmation or clarification. Questions, requests for clarification, or suggested corrections may be submitted to hello@pecconnect.ca for review and consideration.
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