New options may be considered for improvements to the Picton Town Hill intersection.
Prince Edward County Council members heard two deputations about the planned improvements to the intersection during Thursday’s committee of the whole meeting.
The intersection, at Picton Main Street and Bridge Street, sits at the top of a hill. Currently drivers coming up the hill have right of way and are not required to stop, but plans to install traffic lights or a roundabout could change this.
Neither of the deputations were in favor of a roundabout, with the first speaker urging council to simply update the area’s signage and the second advocating for traffic lights instead.
The first deputation, by local resident Gary Mooney, went into detail about a survey he did on residents about how they wanted the intersection dealt with. He said that in his findings, most residents preferred that the intersection’s signage be updated, and didn’t like the idea of putting in a roundabout or traffic lights.
The second deputation by resident Steve Sykes, was in favour of a traffic light solution, but placing the traffic lights for the uphill segment at the bottom of the hill, so heavy vehicles that might have trouble starting on the steep grade wouldn’t get stuck.
Both speakers identified the need for heavy vehicles to stop on the steep grade as a problem with a roundabout, where incoming traffic will have to stop and yield to traffic already in the roundabout.
The committee moved that the option presented by Mooney for simply improving signage at the intersection, as well as an option for traffic lights at the base of the hill, should be included in the future Picton Town Hill intersection studies next time it comes before council.
