'Somebody’s going to get killed': Richmond Hill man raises safety concerns about traffic around St. Theresa of Lisieux CHS

Resident says enforcement of rules needed to make change, York Region investigating traffic signal timing

yorkregion.com
May 23, 2023

After 40 years of running his own business, Jack Ponte hoped to retire in peace in his Richmond Hill home near Bathurst Street and Shaftsbury Avenue, where he has lived for 26 years.

But instead, Monday to Friday, twice a day, he and his neighbours experience “a nightmare” in the area around St. Theresa of Lisieux Catholic High School.

“If you don't come or go at the correct times, you get stuck in that mess and it's a disaster,” he said. “You have to live on this street or in this area to understand the frustrations of what's happening out there.”

He describes cars going in every direction, other cars stopping illegally, ignoring no U-turn signs and a crosswalk located half a block away from where students catch the bus, so they’re running across the street.

“Every traffic rule in the book is broken,” he said. “But there's going to be a day where somebody, some kid, is going to get killed.”

As traffic has worsened in the area, Ponte has advocated for change for the past few years. He has taken photos and videos of flagrant rule-breakers to show councillors the situation and has been called "every name in the book” by unhappy drivers.

He was hopeful when he was recently invited to a meeting exploring smart traffic lights as a possible solution, using user-submitted data from an app to time traffic lights and schedule optimal arrival times, but left feeling even more frustrated.

“It’s about cars talking to cars and what they’re proposing is not anywhere close to making an immediate and lasting impact,” he said.

At the meeting, the school’s vice-principal, Jim Marrin, proposed asking York Region to adjust the timing of the nearby traffic light, a remedy that had helped in the past.

“We have 1,600 kids and Minister Stephen Lecce has approved the expansion of our cafeteria because we have a list of hundreds on the wait-list every year,” said Marrin. “We have a robust community that is going to be there for some time.”

John Soriano, program manager, Traffic Signal Operations Division, York Region, said staff were investigating.

“York Region is reviewing the intersections of Bathurst Street and Shaftsbury Avenue/Woodland Acres Crescent, and Elgin Mills Road and Shaftsbury Drive/Regent Street to identify any improvement opportunities regarding signal timing to reduce queues,” he said. “Improvement opportunities are currently being assessed based on York Region’s review, and has scheduled to implement signal timing changes, if needed, by end of May.”

In a statement, the York Catholic District School Board said it was aware of community concerns surrounding the area and has been having ongoing conversations with various municipal officials about solutions.

“St Theresa of Lisieux CHS staff have undertaken numerous initiatives to improve safety and traffic flow at the beginning and end of the school day,” the statement said, including encouraging families to use transportation methods other than cars and dropping their children off at nearby locations so they walk the final distance to school; having school administration in front of the school to promote safety and discourage actions that contribute to congestion; installing signs to better direct traffic; and meeting with the traffic warden to discuss traffic concerns, which resulted in York Regional Police and bylaw enforcement officers regularly being outside of the school to ensure traffic laws are followed.

For Ponte, the only tangible solution he feels would work would be to enforce rules and have someone at the school area, every day for at least a month, to hand out tickets without warning.

“The only repercussions that people feel are financial,” said Ponte. “I don’t want to cause trouble, I don’t want to see anyone get hurt, I just want to live peacefully in my neighbourhood.”