Officials in Clarington are calling for a safety review of two intersections along Liberty Street following a recent traffic incident involving a school bus that raised concerns among residents and local officials.
During a general government committee meeting on March 2, Clarington council approved a motion requesting the Region of Durham conduct a detailed safety assessment at the intersections of Liberty Street and Concession Road 4, as well as Liberty Street and Concession Road 6.
The request was introduced by Councillor Corinna Traill, who said the motion was prompted by a recent accident involving a school bus in the area.
“It’s pretty self-explanatory — this is the location where the accident happened, unfortunately involving the school bus,” Traill told council members during the meeting.
Although the incident raised serious concerns about road safety in the area, officials confirmed that no children on the bus were injured during the accident.
Traill said asking the Region of Durham to investigate the safety conditions at the intersections could help prevent future incidents and improve safety for drivers, school buses, and pedestrians.
“I think having the region look into this and get back to us would be helpful and potentially save lives,” she said.
According to the motion presented to council, several residents have already expressed concerns about the safety of the intersections.
Among the issues raised are a blind curve on Liberty Street north of Concession Road 6, as well as downhill road grades along Concession Road 6 that may reduce visibility and control for drivers approaching the intersection.
Residents also highlighted challenges during the winter months. The motion notes that snow blowing from nearby agricultural fields can reduce visibility, while winter road maintenance practices that rely primarily on sanding may limit traction on icy surfaces.
Council is asking regional transportation officials to examine a range of potential improvements.
These include reviewing whether the intersections meet the requirements for all-way stop controls, which could slow traffic and improve safety for vehicles entering the intersection from multiple directions.
The motion also requests that regional staff evaluate both short-term and long-term safety improvements, including possible changes to roadway design, signage, and winter maintenance practices.
Once the assessment is complete, the Region of Durham is expected to report back to Clarington council with findings, recommendations, and timelines for potential safety improvements.
The motion passed with five councillors voting in favour and one opposing vote from Coun. Margaret Zwart.
If the review moves forward, the safety study could lead to infrastructure changes aimed at improving traffic safety along this stretch of Liberty Street.
Local officials say the goal of the review is to ensure that road conditions and traffic controls are properly evaluated to help reduce risks and improve safety for residents, school transportation, and other road users across the Clarington area.
