Peel and Caledon Councils approve signalized intersection

By Riley Murphy, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

"It's going to be expensive and costly, but it won't cost more than another life," said 17-year-old delegate Harshika Sharma regarding a motion put on the floor at Tuesday's Council meeting.

The motion, brought forward by Councillor Doug Maskell, was to install traffic lights at the intersection of Walker and Airport Roads, as opposed to the signalized crosswalk proposed by Peel Region, where the Town of Caledon will cover the costs.

The Region of Peel has completed almost all of its final design for its planned reconstruction of Airport Road and Old Church Road.

The plan called for the installation of a signalized pedestrian crosswalk (PXO) on Airport Road, south of Walker Road.

The Region indicated that a traffic signal is not warranted based on existing traffic volumes and collision history, as well as future traffic counts and pedestrian activities.

"That response misses the entire point. We've been focusing so much on the vehicles that are passing through that intersection, but we've ignored how people are actually crossing that road," said Sharma, referencing the Region's response.

In 2024, she collected 300 signatures from residents in Caledon East to advocate for traffic lights instead of the proposed PXO.

As a student and community member herself, she shared with the Council that she knows firsthand how dangerous the intersection has become over the years.

"With the volume of trucks, especially transport trucks, that pass through the Town, a basic crosswalk is just not reasonable and a protective solution. The planned PXO, doesn't reflect the reality of what actually happens on ground," said Sharma.

"At this point, it's no longer about the money, but it's about doing what's right before something wrong happens. As someone who has walked that intersection and watched others hesitate in the middle of that road, I'm asking for the Region to take a stand, not for the numbers or thresholds or the future studies, but for the real people who live there right now."

Walker Road East is the site of two senior living centers for which a PXO does not ensure sufficient safety for those residents to cross Airport Road, reads the motion.

Joe McReynolds delegated on behalf of the Abbeyfield Caledon Board of Directors.

Abbeyfield Caledon is committed to supporting older adults who live independently, safely, and with dignity in our community.

They are located near the intersection of Airport Road and Walker Road.

McReynolds shared that crossing Airport Road is challenging and hazardous, particularly to older adults and those with mobility issues.

"The traffic volume and the speed creates a barrier for safe pedestrian movement and discourages seniors from walking, running errands and engaging in their communities," said McReynolds.

Following the Region's response, Councillor Maskell brought forward the motion that Council respectfully asks that the Region of Peel discontinue its plan to install a PXO on Airport Road south of Walker Road; and that a fully signalized intersection be created at Airport Road and Walker Road; and that the additional cost to upgrade the intersection to a fully signalized intersection will be financed by the Town of Caledon.

In the meeting, Commissioner of Engineering, Public Works, and Transportation, Commissioner D'Amico, estimated the cost to be potentially $200,000 to $250,000 in total.

The Town of Caledon will not have to cover the entire cost, it will only cover the difference of the upgrade.

The motion passed unanimously at Caledon Council to bring this forward to the Region of Peel.

Last Thursday, Peel Regional Council unanimously approved the motion.

The traffic light will be installed when road work in downtown Caledon East is complete.

Caledon Council will pay for the cost difference between the two signals to ensure enhanced safety for vulnerable residents, including pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers.

"Lives will be saved on Caledon roads through the actions taken at the Peel Regional Council," said Mayor Annette Groves.