West Street Reconstruction project
Phase 1 construction update - September 19, 2023
Phase 1 of the West Street Reconstruction from Holden Avenue to Brook Street in Simcoe is currently underway. Due to delays in required utility works by external agencies, completion of the base layer of asphalt is expected to be done in 2023. The remaining surface work will be finished in the spring of 2024.
A traffic study was completed for the project with a consideration to look at changing the section from a four-lane configuration to a three-lane configuration with a two-way center left turn (TWLT). The east/ west travel lanes would be wide enough to accommodate active transportation.
The West Street project and the TWLT lane concept were posted on the Norfolk Engage platform for feedback from residents. A total of 382 responses on the Engage platform regarding the proposed lane reconfiguration were received.
- 36% of the responses were in favour of the change
- 45% were opposed
- 19% had no preference
Staff reviewed all comments provided in the survey from members of the public. Staff also consulted with Norfolk General Hospital staff and Norfolk County’s Emergency Services teams, and both groups’ response to the proposed TWLT lane was favourable, and no issues were identified.
Advantages of two-way left turn lanes
Two-way left turn lanes create a dedicated centre lane that allows drivers to make left turns throughout the roadway. Separating left-turning vehicles from through traffic can decrease accidents while also maintaining traffic volume as vehicles do not need to change lanes to get around left-turning vehicles. Two-way left turn lanes also help oncoming cars to better anticipate left-hand turns.
The diagram below shows a four-lane roadway before and after being changed to two lanes with a two-way left turn lane and active transportation zone on each side of the roadway.
Signage on two-way left turn lanes indicates that drivers must use the centre lane for left turns, an example is below.
Diagram of the TWLT lane reconfiguration
Staff report
Staff will be bringing a report to the October 11 Council in Committee meeting to recommend the implementation of TWLT lanes on West Street.
Phase 1 construction update - August 4, 2023
Phase 1 of the West Street Reconstruction project from Holden Avenue to Brook Street in Simcoe, is currently underway and is planned to be completed by November 2023.
As part of the engineering process, a traffic study was completed that included an option to change the lane configurations on West Street. The data captured in the study showed that:
- Traffic volumes do not warrant four lanes along this section of roadway
- The existing four lanes are considered narrow by modern design standards
- Changing the current four lanes to three lanes, with a centre two-way turning lane, could reduce vehicle speeds and will improve driver and pedestrian safety
- Introducing a two-way left turn lane will allow space for an active transportation zone on each side of the roadway
- Dedicated left turn lanes at side streets will allow for more efficient traffic flow
- Existing roadway width will be maintained in the proposed configuration
Phase 2 construction
Phase 2, from Brook Street to Talbot Street, is currently planned for reconstruction in 2025. It is recommended that a two-way left turn lane be considered for Phase 2 as well.
Read more about this project
Additional project details can be found on the Norfolk County Construction webpage.
