City flags notorious intersection for reconfiguration

The City of North Bay is recommending the redesign and reconfiguration of the collision-prone Algonquin Avenue-Front Street-Jane Street intersection.

During Tuesday's regular meeting, North Bay City Council will vote on the approval of a $1.668-million contract to Miller Paving Limited for intersection widening, the construction of opposing left turn lanes on Algonquin, the reconfiguration of the existing traffic signals, the rehabilitation of the surface asphalt, and the relocation of the Algonquin Regiment Memorial Monument and flagpole to Memorial Park between First West and Second West.

Collisions have been mounting up at the intersection in recent years — many blamed on excessive speed, running red lights, and distracted driving.

See related: Dangerous intersection produces another accident

And: Accident caused delays at Algonquin and Jane

See also: Accident at Front and Algonquin

Poor sightlines are also to blame for some of the collisions, according to the associated staff report. "Due to the high volume of recorded traffic accidents at the Algonquin-Front-Jane intersection, the City of North Bay has undertaken a redesign of the intersection to reduce the number of conflicts between both vehicles and pedestrians."

The City of North Bay has been planning for the intersection improvements since 2018 when Council discussed the staff-generated Algonquin Avenue Traffic Study. It reads:

Collision data at the intersection of Algonquin and Jane Street/Front Street was reviewed. Data between July 2014 and July 2017 showed a total of 44 collisions at this intersection. These collisions included 29 angle- and turning-movement collisions, 11 rear-ending collisions, 3 side-swipe collisions and 1 front-end collision with a utility pole.

Of the 29 collisions, 3 were due to northbound traffic failing to stop at a red light resulting in a collision with east or westbound traffic. It is apparent from the data that the majority of right-angle collisions occurred as a result of left-turning movements from Algonquin to Jane Street and Front Street. 16 collisions occurred as a result of a southbound vehicle turning left to Front Street and 10 collisions were as a result of a northbound vehicle turning left to Jane Street.

In order to reduce the frequency of this type of collision, dedicated left-turn lanes would need to be provided for northbound and southbound approaches, along with a protected left-turn traffic signal phase. 

To accommodate a new turning lane on Algonquin Avenue, additional City land will need to be purchased near the intersection along with physical modifications to the intersection.

The bid of $1,668,045 by Miller Paving Limited was the lowest of four bids, is considered fair and reasonable by the City and is deemed to provide the best overall value. 

North Bay City Council meets Tuesday for a special committee meeting at 5:30 p.m. This intersection reconstruction contract and several other items will be discussed during the regular meeting, beginning at 6:30 p.m.