Rideau Lakes council explores updates to South Crosby Public School property to make student drop-offs safer and smoother
RIDEAU LAKES — Rideau Lakes council has agreed to have staff begin talks with the Upper Canada District School Board about creating a one-way bus lane and a dedicated student drop-off on South Crosby Public School property. Staff say the change could ease the daily gridlock on Halladay and Church streets in Elgin.
It’s an issue that has been a long one, said Coun. Paula Banks, and she said she would support approaching the board to address the congestion.
The direction came after a holistic review of the corridor, launched earlier this year in response to safety concerns and a petition seeking one-way traffic through the area. The review included input from the township’s crossing guard, the fire chief, Student Transportation of Eastern Ontario, township staff and the Elgin and Area Community Enhancement Committee.
Congestion tied to parent drop-offs
The review found that much of the congestion stems from the number of students being driven to and from school. South Crosby Public School does not have a dedicated bus lane or an on-site drop-off zone. Parents rely on the municipal lot, Halladay Street, Church Street and nearby parking areas, pushing traffic well beyond capacity during peak periods.
In the morning, 15 to 20 staff vehicles arrive between 8:45 and 9:15 a.m. Eight buses and two vans come in between 9:10 and 9:20 a.m. Parent drop-offs peak from 9:15 and 9:30 a.m., with overflow parking at the bowling alley, library and rink. Afternoon congestion follows the same pattern.
Roughly 40 to 50 walkers arrive from Halladay Street each day, with another 20 to 25 people from Church. Regular community events add to the foot traffic.
Staff noted that a portable addition, following the closure of nearby schools, has pushed enrolment higher and increased traffic in Elgin.
Because the school board’s property extends to Pineview Drive, staff believe a one-way lane exiting there could redirect a significant amount of traffic off Halladay and Church. A dedicated drop-off zone on school grounds is central to the proposal.
Coun. Dustin Bulloch said the option is worth exploring.
“It’s a good option to explore,” he said, noting that if the project goes ahead, “the road would probably follow along the property line more tightly to the cemetery.”
Bulloch also asked how the plan might affect the school’s playground, which the school community is currently fundraising to replace. “If this is a road to be constructed here, do we have an idea of the costing?” he asked.
Manager of Facilities and Parks Steve Holmes told council that any new road would be a school board expense. He said the Upper Canada District School Board has funded similar work before and that any solution “should come at no cost or little cost to taxpayers.
A petition signed by 12 residents asked the township to convert Halladay and Church into one-way streets entering from Main Street, with new four-way stops at Main and Kingston and possibly at Main and Church.
Staff outlined potential benefits such as smoother flow, safer driveway exits and room for wider sidewalks. Drawbacks include longer routes for residents, a transition period for drivers and increased traffic pressure on Kingston and Main.
Fire Chief Gene Richardson supported a one-way flow from Church onto Halladay but noted that turning sightlines at Kingston and Main are a concern. He said a four-way stop there could help. A one-way system in the opposite direction could slow firefighter access to the Halladay station.
With council’s support, staff will now contact the school board to discuss the proposed Pineview Drive bus lane and student drop-off. A further review of village traffic patterns may follow once the school board’s position is known.
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