ERIN/HILLSBURGH ‒ Several concerned residents are asking their council to consider additional traffic calming measures at the construction zones on Trafalgar Road and Sideroad 17.
Hillsburgh resident, Christine Facey, said that other locals “are justifiably frustrated,” and that council and other elected officials need to “step up” and take responsibility to rectify the issues at hand.”
A dog walker that frequently drives to Erin and Orangeville, Facey said she’s witnessed people ignoring the detour signage since the road construction began and that it's only worsened with the additional closure of Sideroad 17.
“I've almost been hit numerous times, you know, the traffic for residents is bad,” said Facey. “And the cottage country traffic is insane…if you’re trying to get out to Eighth Line on a Friday afternoon, forget about it.”
Pulling over to help any stopped vehicles on the side of the road along her route, Facey said she’s been encountering more and more drivers completely lost along the detours.
“You've got these out-of-towners coming up going to the cottage frustrated because they gotta take a huge bypass,” said Facey. “They're driving like maniacs and the town is not doing enough to prevent it.”
Jim's Towing and Repair Services, an Erin-based business, recently took to social media to ask drivers to stay alert for any drivers getting turned around by the construction, especially along Sideroad 17 at Trafalgar Road where traffic is “becoming rather dangerous.”
“We hoped that locals would treat (the intersection) with caution to allow those out-of-towners the chance of making sudden turns,” said the company, in a written statement. “We don’t want to see anyone hurt, as this is already a bad intersection.”
While Jim’s Towing has not seen an increase in accidents, they have noticed “a lot of frustration” in residents and drivers, “especially when out-of-towners are passing through and aren’t aware or know the detours.”
“We just hope through all construction through town that everyone just can find it within themselves to be patient,” said the company. “Travel safely and cautiously through all areas in town; for the safety of other drivers as well as workers and pedestrians.”
An OPP officer was stationed at the construction site on Trafalgar last month after some residents witnessed instances of aggression towards road construction workers and drivers blatantly ignoring detour signage.
The town also recently issued an online statement asking drivers to slow down and follow signs to “keep the construction crew and (the public) safe.”
“We’re constantly getting calls about construction and confused people, you know the construction notices go out and they seem to not read them,” said Mayor Michael Dehn. “Anyone who (has the construction practically) in front of their house, they know what's going on, but then some people who just traveled through town, they're oblivious to all of this.”
While Dehn has not received any calls about physical aggression towards road construction workers, he’s “not surprised,” after township staff were spat on while directing traffic during Winterfest this year.
“(These drivers) forget that there are other people out there that you have to live with,” said Dehn. “The whole world doesn't revolve just around the grumpy individual it revolves around everyone.”
However, he’s hopeful that things will calm down with time.
“There has been no real construction of any kind in Erin and Hillsburgh that affected the community with the way this does, this is something brand new,” said Dehn. “It’s like pulling off a band-aid; it doesn't feel like it's that quick, but it's a lot of pain in a short period of time versus 10 or 15 years of constant construction on the roads.”
He also encouraged residents who witness acts of aggression and traffic violations to report them to the OPP before calling the council.
“It's very difficult playing broken telephone when you're explaining a traffic issue or an assault,” said Dehn. “We have traffic calming signs ordered, but everything seems to be delayed…this is growing across the county, but also across the province.”
But Facey said additional traffic calming and directing measures are necessary, suggesting "a safety officer of sorts."
“It is beyond ridiculous trying to get around town…it’s an absolute disaster on so many levels,” said Facey. “The town is not handling all these matters responsibly or proactively. It is just pure stupid luck there have not been dire, deadly consequences.”
Isabel Buckmaster is the Local Journalism Initiative reporter for GuelphToday. LJI is a federally-funded program.
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