Region looking to reduce collisions at ‘hidden intersection’ in Kitchener

The Region of Waterloo is looking to get in front of a growing trend of collisions at a “hidden intersection” in Kitchener.

It comes after regional staff introduced a report to the Sustainability, Infrastructure, and Development Committee on Tuesday, pointing to 17 collisions reported over a five-year span at the corner of Weber Street and Stirling Avenue.

“Specifically, there has been an emerging overrepresentation of collisions involving motorists attempting to make a left-turn or straight through movement from Stirling Avenue,” said staff in the report. “Of the 17 total collisions, 76 per cent were identified as a turning movement collision or an angle type collision.”

The section of Weber that intersects with Stirling is a free-flow, four-lane stretch of road that sees approximately 18,000 vehicles each day. As of now, Stirling Avenue has stop signs located at the corners of Weber.

Staff said the numbers are largely attributed to drivers not yielding the right of way when attempting to cross the road from Stirling or turning left through the intersection.

“By effectively eliminating the left-turn and straight-through movements from Stirling Avenue, staff recognize an opportunity to reduce overall collisions by as much as 76 per cent.”

Other key factors included overall drivers’ speeds through the stretch of road on Weber at the “hidden intersection,” as well as reduced sightlines due to the curved section of Weber.

Committee members heard a list of recommendations to fix the ongoing issues at the intersection, primarily focused on changing city bylaws to only allow drivers to make a right-hand turn coming out from Stirling.

That would include the addition of signage to indicate a restriction on turning left or moving straight through the intersection, but staff also mentioned a goal of installing a median for further enforcement. That’s a move that would take time to finalize, however, with further studies needed on the feasibility of the addition.

“City of Kitchener staff agree with the Region’s proposed changes at the intersection of Weber Street and Stirling Avenue, but would like to monitor the
impacts on the safety and operation at other nearby intersections, such as Weber Street and Simeon Street.”

For the time being, staff said the cost of signage would be $1,500, being funded through the region’s Transportation Capital Budget. If a median were approved in the near future, staff mentioned that it would potentially be implemented in 2026.