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Traffic Circles Proposed
Replace Lights; 'Goofy' idea to be studied for busy intersections
Kelly Grant
National Post
Thursday, November 01, 2007
Council's public works committee approved a new study yesterday on installing traffic circles at some of the busiest intersections in Toronto, although the chairman admitted the idea is an odd one.
"I know that perhaps it is a goofy new initiative," Glenn De Baeremaeker, the councillor for Ward 38 Scarborough-Centre, conceded. "But many of us propose goofy new initiatives. Some of us are experts at goofy new initiatives. This is why we send [our ideas] to staff first before we actually try to do anything, to make sure there's some sober second thought."
The traffic circle study was the brainchild of Case Ootes, a veteran councillor.
Mr. Ootes said roundabouts, which are popular in Europe, should be studied to see whether they cut down on idling and reduce T-bone crashes.
He said the city has an obligation to at least consider them, especially in locations where new intersections are about to be installed.
"It's just a knee-jerk reaction to put in a light every time we put in a new intersection," Mr. Ootes said.
Toronto already has 11 small traffic circles.
As part of the study, staff is being asked to recommend other intersections that could be suitable for roundabouts.
Mr. Ootes sugges ted Eglinton Road East and Don Mills Road -- the third busiest intersection in the city -- along with Eglinton Road East and Victoria Park Road and St. Clair Avenue East and O'Connor Drive.
Some 49,930 vehicles flow through Eglinton and Don Mills during the busiest eight hours of the day. Nearly 40,000 use the Eglinton and Victoria Park intersection during the same period, while 22,400 drive through St. Clair and O'Connor, according to Mike Brady, the city's manager of traffic safety.
Councillor Shelley Carroll, the budget chief, tried to kill the traffic circle proposal at the works meeting.
She was the first member of the committee to tag the idea as a "goofy new initiative" that would needlessly absorb staff time.
"It really discredits this council that we just sort of, you know, wander the globe and think up goofy new initiatives and move them willy-nilly," she complained.
She also accused Mr. Ootes of requesting the study at the behest of the Canadian Automobile Association because a sustainable transportation plan council adopted last month focuses on getting Torontonians out of their cars.
"Basically this is here on behalf of Councillor Ootes because we didn't bring forward an initiative that specifically meets all of the goals of the CAA. That's why it's here."
Mr. Ootes, who was not at yesterday's meeting, scoffed at the accusation.
"Shelley Carroll has a problem thinking outside the box," he said in an interview. "That's just a dumb reaction. It's an ignorant comment."
The works committee voted 4-2 to go ahead with the study. Staff is to report in January.