LOWER TRURO, N.S. - A stop sign that went missing from Meadow Drive in Lower Truro has been replaced.
The missing sign, at the intersection with Robie Street, was reported to the Truro Daily News by a pedestrian who noticed it missing while out for a walk April 21. A number of people who work in the immediate area said they didn’t know how long the sign had been missing from its post, which was still standing.
“This stop sign was not removed by the Department of Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal,” said spokeswoman Marla MacInnis, following an inquiry about its absence.
“Staff will look into this and replace the sign, if necessary,” she said at the time. By Wednesday, it had been replaced.
Mike Cooper, a Colchester County councillor who works on Meadow Drive, said he too had noticed the sign was missing but could not recall for how long.
“It is a really busy spot,” said Cooper.
In addition to having the stop sign replaced, Cooper said the intersection should be signed to prevent motorists from making a left turn onto Robie from Meadow Drive, since construction of the nearby round-about several years ago.
Cooper said he believes it is easier and faster for motorists to turn right onto Robie and make their way around the rotary, instead of having to turn left through several lanes of traffic on a busy thoroughfare.
To me it’s a no brainer,” he said, adding he is worried there will eventually be a serious accident at the intersection if nothing is done.
“People have been lucky so far,” he said.
Deputy Mayor Bill Masters said he shares Cooper’s concerns, which he said have been passed on to the Department of Highways to no avail.
“I agree with Mike,” Masters said. But he added department officials he spoke to about the issue took a difference stance.
“In my humble opinion, it doesn’t make sense,” he said. Masters said he also inquired about having a no-left-turn sign posted for westbound motorists turning into Giant Tiger but that was also declined.
Regarding the request for a no-left-turn sign from Meadow Drive, MacInnis said the department’s position has not changed.
“The District Traffic Supervisor has reviewed this request and determined a sign prohibiting left turns is not warranted at this intersection,” she said.
Regarding the missing stop sign, she said if anyone from the public has concerns of this nature, they can contact Operations Contact Centre at 1-844-696-7737 to bring it to staff’s attention.
