Stephen Vance, Staff
The traffic lights at the intersection of Sykes and Trowbridge Streets will soon be upgraded to be both more energy efficient and to comply with accessibility legislation.
“On April 1 st , 2016, Transportation Services staff received two informal quotations for the supply and installation of LED traffic control signal lights at the intersection of Trowbridge St. W. and Sykes St. N.,
including all materials, equipment, manpower, traffic control, and permits.The cost to replace the traffic control signal lights is $12,935.73,” advised Meaford Treasurer Darcy Chapman in his June 6 report to council.
Funding had been included in the 2016 municipal transportation services capital budget for the supply and installation of LED traffic lights at the intersection which will cost $15,000, but additional costs in order to meet the Accessibility of Ontarians With Disabilities Act (AODA) were not included in the budget,
so Chapman asked council to approve a transfer of an additional $13,219.29 from the Roads, Bridges, Drainage and Sidewalks Reserve Fund to fund the non-budgeted cost of Traffic Control Signal replacement.
“Transportation Services and Legislative Services staff have reviewed the appropriate legislation to determine that the Municipality must complete the upgrades to the pedestrian crossing devices while completing this project,” noted Chapman in his report to council. “The legislation came into effect on January 1, 2016 and was not given consideration during the 2016 budget development process, as the LED traffic control signal light replacement project had been proposed for the previous five years but always removed during deliberations.”
Chapman advised council that failure to make accessibility upgrades to the intersection while undertaking the LED project could result in stiff penalties for the municipality.
“The Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act includes specific provisions for municipalities, which must be complied with. The installation of replacement traffic signals meets the regulatory definition of a redeveloped public space. Failure to install compliant pedestrian signals at the time of traffic signal replacement could result in an administrative fine of between $500and $2,000 per day of non-compliance,” Chapman advised.
The total cost of the traffic light and pedestrian crossing improvements will be $28,219.29.
The new accessibility features at the intersection will include larger buttons for pedestrian crossing and audible signals for the visually impaired.
