Rachael Bozzetto got an unfortunate introduction to Newmarket when she first moved here in July 2023.
On her first commute to work, she went through the Timothy Street and Doug Duncan Drive intersection. She had right of way on Timothy and said she was travelling at about 30 km/h, but a driver on Doug Duncan Drive drove ahead without stopping and collided with her vehicle.
The collision wrecked her car and required her to get a new one.
“It was awful because I wasn’t going very fast,” she said. “It was pretty significant because I had a lot of trouble with my insurance company as well on top of that. It took two months before I was able to get a new vehicle.”
The Town of Newmarket says a more major change like a four-way stop is impossible at the intersection, which is in the downtown core at Riverwalk Commons. But in response to concerns, the municipality said it is examining possible safety measures it could implement at the downtown intersection as Metrolinx undertakes construction on the tracks.
Bozzetto said the intersection is confusing to many drivers who assume it is a four-way stop. It is only a two-way stop, with traffic on Timothy having right of way.
“I drive through there (almost) every day. I just see it happening quite often to other drivers, the exact same mistake,” she said. “I’ve seen a few accidents and evidence of accidents, and I’ve seen and been involved in a few near misses there.
“It is just kind of a dangerous intersection in my mind.”
Commissioner of development and infrastructure Peter Noehammer acknowledged being approached by a resident recently about the issue there.
He said a four-way stop would not be feasible there due to the proximity to railway tracks on the east side of the intersection.
“Metrolinx enforces strict safety guidelines so that stopped vehicles wouldn’t find themselves on the rail crossing, and placing a stop sign on the east side would create this risk,” he said.
But that does not make safety measures impossible. Noehammer said the town has identified a few safety improvements that could be implemented with Metrolinx doing construction at the crossing.
Measures under consideration include more defined white lines and ladder markings for pedestrians to further signify to motorists it is not a four-way stop.
“The town will confirm the required modifications to this intersection after completing its full review,” Noehammer said.
Bozzetto said she thought it could be a good four-way stop but was informed about the train track issue. Still, she said that she would like to see signage there to help warn drivers on Doug Duncan Drive about the intersection.
“It would be beneficial to have some type of warning sign,” she said.
