on Appleby Line between Derry Road and the entrance to Rattlesnake Point

Conservation Area.

While staff will be seeking funds in next year’s budget for studies on construction and drainage to guide the needed improvements, Farquharson contended they’re not necessary.

“We don’t need additional costly studies,” he said. “We’re not asking for everything in the world; we’re just looking for cost-effective, timely solutions.”

But Cripps disagreed, arguing that staff needs time to investigate construction options and bring in contractors to ask for advice in light of the complexities along the stretch of Appleby.

“It’s not an easy piece of road to build. Standard construction techniques will not work,” he said. “We have to build a road and build a road right.”

Ward 3 Councillor Cindy Lunau concurred that Appleby Line is a “very, very dangerous road” and suggested the Town install a sign at the top of the hill with a picture of what would happen to a truck if it tries to make the hairpin turn.

“No truck driver will do it more than once,” she remarked.

She went on to ask staff to look further at the drainage issue and also the possibility of adding a centre line on the section of road.

Cripps said the road there is so narrow that a centre line wouldn’t be suitable.

He added it would be more appropriate to paint edge lines, especially around the hairpin turn, to keep motorists away from the steep drop off.

The Town also intends to install “No Heavy Truck” and “Turn Prohibition” signs on the signal mast arms for both westbound and eastbound traffic on Derry Road, subject to the Region’s approval. There are already many signs in the area delivering the same message regarding trucks.

Local and Regional Councillor Colin Best, who’s also a former resident of Appleby Line, and Farquharson said they think drivers don’t usually pay heed of these signs.

Best also concurred with Lunau on the hazards of the road and asked staff to look into having it identified on GPS systems as a dangerous hill.

“Every driver thinks, ‘I can do it, I’m Evil Knievel, I can make it up that hill,’” he said, noting his first and only car accident took place on Appleby Line when another driver crossed into his lane on the hill.

He added he would support having a budget consideration for the necessary improvements.

“There are a number of outstanding issues here. I agree with the residents, we need to do something,” he said.

A section of Appleby Line between Derry Road and Rattlesnake Point will be closed next week so that the guiderail upgrades can be made.

The study work will be subject to budget deliberations in December. Going forward, Cripps indicated staff plans to host a public information centre with local residents regarding how the road issues will be resolved.