The Ministry of Transportation (MTO) is planning work along Highway 148 outside of Pembroke. The planned work includes reconstruction of the intersection of Greenwood Road and Highway 148 in Laurentian Valley (at the Quebec turnoff).
The section of highway where being looked at runs from roughly 200 meters west of Angus Campbell Drive in the City of Pembroke to approximately 300 meters east of the Greenwood Road intersection in Laurentian Valley.
A Transportation Study published in June 2018, recommends pavement rehabilitation along with improvements to intersections, pedestrian and cycling safety, highway drainage and access. Timing of construction is dependent on completion of the detail design, environmental assessment, and availability of project funding. There will be a public information centre held at a later date.
MTO representative Darren Waters updated county council last week and said there’s been requests for many years to have traffic signals at the intersection of Highway 148 and Greenwood Road. The MTO says traffic volumes do not warrant signals at that intersection.
County Councillor Dave Bennett hopes the MTO takes concerns from residents and the county in mind when making a decision.
Renfrew County Warden Debbie Robinson, who is also the Reeve for Laurentian Valley, says the township disagrees and would like to see a traffic circle instead of a longer merging lane. Robinson hopes there will be further discussion with the MTO and will encourage the Mayor of Laurentian Valley to have them come to council to have that discussion.
The proposed improvements to Highway 148 between Angus Campbell Drive and Drive In Road include:
- Widen to provide a continuous Two-Way Left-Turn Lane;
- Urbanize the cross-section including installation of a barrier curb with gutter and storm sewer upgrades;
- Install Traffic Signals at the Highway 148/ Drive-In Road intersection including the addition of turning lanes;
- Potential for sidewalk installation between the City of Pembroke limits and Angus Campbell Drive subject to construction and operational funding agreements with the City of Pembroke; and
- Potential for sidewalk installation between Angus Campbell Drive and Drive-In Road subject to construction and operational funding agreements with the Township of Laurentian Valley. However, the Township of Laurentian Valley has not currently agreed to fund this work.
The proposed improvements to Highway 148 between Drive In Road and Greenwood Road include:
- Maintain a two-lane rural cross-section. Rehabilitate the existing pavement and provide 2.5 m wide paved shoulders;
- Revise the Greenwood Road intersection by modifying the westbound right-turn channel and extending the merge lane;
- Add an additional southbound lane to bypass left turning vehicles onto Old Mill Road; and
- Modifications to existing access points.
You can get more information on the project website.
