Thank you for your feedback and questions regarding the recent installation of stop signs on Route 105 where it intersects with Meredith Road, at the entrance to Chelsea Park.
Please allow me to provide you with some background, and the wider context that led to this decision by Council:
The residents of Chelsea Park asked their Councillor, Pierre Guénard, to raise their concerns about this intersection's safety with Council. As a first step, Council adopted a resolution to reduce the speed (from 70 km to 50 km) on Route 105 south of Scott Road in order to increase the safety of residents exiting at the Meredith Road intersection. This decision was in keeping with Council's orientation to make the Centre-Village accessible safely by foot and on bike for residents of all ages, and was congruent with the recent speed reduction on Notch Road as it, too, is a road that leads to the Centre-Village. In the same manner, Council decided to reduce the speed along Scott Road from 70 km to 50 km, and to 30 km in front of Grand Boisé School.
A study was conducted by our Public Works Department to measure the number of cars exiting Chelsea Park versus the number of cars passing on Route 105. While according to MTQ standards, the ratio did not require the installation of stop signs, residents of Chelsea Park continued to have serious concerns for their safety in accessing Route 105 due to the configuration of that intersection. After further discussion with the Director General, Council adopted a resolution to install stop signs at this intersection as a way to address the concerns of residents exiting from Meredith Road onto Route 105.
As well, many residents have voiced their concerns about safety at the intersection of Route 105 with Scott Road. The present configuration was designed and built by the MTQ when the A-5 ended at Scott Road. Now that Scott Road is no longer under the jurisdiction of the MTQ, the municipality can choose to make changes to this intersection. Staff have been asked to provide an estimate to remove the concrete infrastructure, and to design and build a roundabout here. This project will be brought forward to Council within the 2018 budget deliberations.
Many residents have also raised concerns about the safety of the intersection of Route 105 and Old Chelsea Road. Given the fact that Old Chelsea Road and Route 105 (south of Old Chelsea Road) are under the jurisdiction of the MTQ, Council adopted a resolution to ask the MTQ to agree to the installation of a three-way stop at this very busy and dangerous intersection. The MTQ agreed to study the possibility; another scenario being studied is the installation of a roundabout at this intersection.
Another Council resolution asked the MTQ to reduce the speed on Old Chelsea Road (under their jurisdiction) from the Post Office to Chelsea Elementary School. The MTQ agreed to reduce the speed from 70 km to 50 km in this section. (Unfortunately, this sign has not yet been changed by MTQ staff.) Prior to the start of the school year, Council received a note from the MRC Police Service asking that Council request, from the MTQ, a speed reduction from 50 km to 30 km from the Post Office to Chelsea Elementary School. That resolution was adopted this week, and has been sent to the MTQ for their review.
Council adopted a resolution that asked the MTQ to agree to a 3-way stop at the intersection of Old Chelsea Road with Scott Road. While this configuration works well for most of the year, there have been delays at the height of the fall colours' season and the winter ski season. Council recognizes that this intersection, along with the intersection of Kingsmere Road with Meech Lake Road will need to be addressed in a more permanent matter. Discussions are underway with the MTQ and the National Capital Commission as parts of these intersections are under their jurisdictions.
Many residents suggested that Council consider changing the name of Route 105 to address the fact that it is no longer a highway. Council adopted a resolution to ask the MTQ to allow the municipality to change the name of Route 105 to reflect that it is no longer a thoroughfare. The MTQ accepted Council's request, and the Gatineau Valley Historical Society has been asked to provide suggestions for a new name; these suggestions will be brought to the community for discussion.
Finally, based on requests from residents to reduce the speed on Route 105 (south of Old Chelsea Road) from 70 km to 50 km, Council adopted a resolution to ask the MTQ to study this possibility (as this section of Route 105 is under their jurisdiction).
With kind regards,
Caryl Green
Mayor
