RE: Urgent Request for Traffic Safety Measures at the Intersection of Regional Road 4 (Taunton Road) and Burkholder Drive in Pickering, Ontario (the "Intersection")​

January 4, 2024

Regional Municipality of Durham 
605 Rossland Road East 
Whitby, ON 
L1N 6A3

To whom it may concern,

We, the Undersigned, are writing the Regional Municipality of Durham (the "Region") as concerned members of the New Seaton community. As residents living in close proximity to the Intersection, we have witnessed and experienced a growing number of motor-vehicle collisions, particularly those involving left turns from Taunton Road onto Burkholder Drive.

The Undersigned feel compelled to bring this matter to the attention of the Region, and the Region alone has the authority to remedy these hazardous conditions for the following reasons: 

• The safety of motorists, pedestrians, residents and their families are of great importance to our community and should be of great importance to the Region;
• Under section 44(1) of the Municipal Act, 2001, S.O. 2001, c. 25, the municipality that has jurisdiction over a highway or bridge shall keep it in a state of repair that is reasonable in the circumstances, including the character and location of the highway or bridge; and
• Durham Regional Council has the power to enact By-laws and delegate such other measures necessary to regulate and ensure the smooth operation of traffic on highways under the jurisdiction of the Region.

One issue contributing to these collisions is the mismatch between the speed limit on Taunton Road and the changing landscape of our neighbourhood. Despite the increased residential development in the area, the speed limit on Taunton Road remains at 80 km/h. This has created a hazardous situation, especially for left-turning vehicles attempting to enter Burkholder Drive westbound from Taunton Road, as the high speed of oncoming eastbound traffic (often moving at speeds in excess of 100 km/h) poses a significant risk. Moreover, the slope of Taunton Road exacerbates the problem. The reduced visibility for left turners trying to gauge oncoming traffic has resulted in a notable increase in T-bone collisions at the Intersection.

This situation is deeply concerning, particularly given the number of families with young children residing in our neighbourhood. We see as many as 3+ collisions per month, with the highest being 4 in one single week this past April and at least 2 occurring recently over the holidays. The Region's Transportation Department may have access to more complete data regarding these collisions and we urge you to make the necessary inquiries to become informed on the severity of this matter.

To address these pressing safety concerns of motorists and the community at large, we urge the Region to strongly consider the following actions as soon as possible: 

1. Advanced Green Signal: Install an advanced left turn signal on Taunton Road into Burkholder Drive to provide a dedicated time for left-turning vehicles, allowing them to navigate the Intersection safely without the risk of oncoming traffic.
2. Speed Limit Reduction: Council to enact a By-law to amend Schedule XVI of Durham By-law 44-2006 to reduce the speed limit on Regional Road 4 between Whites Road and Peter Matthews Drive to a more appropriate level, reflective of the increased residential nature of the neighbourhood.

We appreciate your attention to this matter and are open to further discussions regarding the above-mentioned potential solutions, or any other solutions or improvements deemed necessary by the relevant authorities to rectify this issue. The safety of our residents should be a top priority of the Region, and we trust that the Region will take the necessary steps to promptly address this issue now that it has been given notice in this letter of the ongoing unsafe conditions that exist at the Intersection.

Thank you for your prompt consideration of this matter. We look forward to a positive response and collaboration to enhance the safety of our neighbourhood and the Region at large.

Sincerely,

New Seaton Community