THUNDER BAY — A local trucking industry veteran says the Ministry of Transportation should be looking at additional upgrades to improve safety and reduce the frequency of serious crashes at a notoriously dangerous intersection just west of Thunder Bay.
Chris Martin, a safety and compliance expert based in the city, noted there have been nearly half a dozen crashes at Sistonen's Corner since September.
In the latest incident on Sunday night, a trucker was killed when a transport truck crashed on Highway 11-17. No other vehicles were involved; provincial police continue to investigate.
"When are we going to fix this intersection?" Martin implored this week in an email to Conservative MPP Kevin Holland (Thunder Bay-Atikokan).
"We all know how many commercial and passenger vehicles travel on Highway 11-17 and Highway 102 on a daily basis," Martin added. "How many more people need to die at this intersection, as well as all over Northwestern Ontario?"
The ministry noted this week that it has previously made structural improvements at Sistonen's Corner. Those include an enlarged stop sign at the end of Highway 102, upgraded intersection lighting, overhead flashing beacons as well as a separate flashing beacon over a sign indicating a stop sign is up ahead.
Martin, who noted the frequency of crashes persists, says the ministry needs to go further, such as adding rumble strips and "huge" warning signs as motorists approach the intersection. Lowering speed limits on Highway 11-17 and on an off ramp might also help, he said.
NDP MPP Lise Vaugeois (Thunder Bay-Superior North), who is her party's road-safety advocate, said the ministry would do well to review the Sistonen's Corner intersection in-depth, and give Martin's suggestions serious consideration.
Holland's office didn't immediately reply to a request for comment on Wednesday.
The Chronicle Journal / Local Journalism Initiative
