This week at city hall, a Connecting Link design study performed by consulting engineers from AECOM Canada Limited was discussed for nearly three hours by council.
The connecting link is the main thoroughfare through the city of Timmins, running from the the Kamiskotia Road junction, to the rail tracks in Porcupine.
As one part of the study, the consultants were to look at project 'enhancements'.
These would be 'extra' additions to the overall design, such as bus turnoffs and sidewalks.
Another one of those extras the consultants reviewed, was the feasibility of installing a median barrier in the area of Rae Hill.
Councillor Rick Dubeau has been bringing the idea up for council discussion several times in recent months. He says it is likely one of the most dangerous areas of the city for motor vehicle collisions.
"The injuries and deaths that have occurred in that particular area of highway has been terrible" said Dubeau.
The report slated that currently there is a 1 meter flush median in the area. Adding a barrier would require a 1.5 meter widening on each side in order to meet MTO design standards.
The estimated cost of the project is between $2.5 and $3.5 million dollars.
'Since there is no technical warrant, it is difficult to justify this expenditure' read the study.
The report advises that at minimum, a rumble strip should be constructed in the flush median.
Dubeau inquired about the possibility of installing a post-and-cable barrier in that area, and questioned the need to widen the road.
AECOM's Ted Archuticz, explained that the MTO standards are to have sufficient clearance from the edge of a barrier to the lane of traffic. Having a barrier too snug with moving vehicles would seemingly create a new hazard.
Councillor Pat Bamford has seen countless accidents and near-misses in the Rae Hill area over the years.
"The median barrier, you know its expensive, but I think its worthwhile" said Bamford.
"To me, the most dangerous spot is on the east side of that hill. I've seen time and time again, vehicles going across the road. They're the ones going up the hill, they lose control, because of whatever conditions, they're accelerating. They speed across the road, so a rumble strip isn't going to make any difference" he said.
Dubeau remarked on how the cost estimate within the study was for a significantly lengthier portion of road than he envisioned.
"I think we're not really looking at a 1.5 kilometre stretch. We're looking at a quarter kilometre to a half kilometre stretch, that's the dangerous area" he said.
Archuticz noted Dubeau's suggestion for further consideration.
Mayor Steve Black suggested that Archuticz get information from the Timmins Police Service regarding the data on collisions in the Rae Hill area, to ensure the proper coverage.
Within the study, the Rae Hill area is slated to be resurfaced sometime in 2018.
Archuticz is expected back at council in May to present an update, including revised numbers for a Rae Hill median.
A public open house meeting concerning the entire Connecting Link will take place on Tuesday at the McIntyre Auditorium from 4 to 8pm. Citizens are strongly encouraged to attend.
