The Township of Adelaide Metcalfe is thankful for potentially “life-saving” signage along Highway 402 that could help drivers in numerous situations.
Mayor Kurtis Smith said he was recently driving on the highway when he noticed the signs. He said it was exciting to see after lobbying efforts were made years ago.
“The resolution that I put forward back in 2018 is one of the first ones that I’ve done, sending a resolution off to the province,” he said.
Prior to the sign installations in late 2021, Smith said he discussed the signage resolution in 2020 with Minister of Transportation Caroline Mulroney, during the Ontario Good Roads Association (OGRA) conference.
“Just a huge thank you to Minister Mulroney for meeting with me at the OGRA conference and having that discussion as to where specifically I believe the signs should be,” said Smith. “It was just great, and a great surprise to see those signs come up and I’m just so pleased that it all came to be.”
Smith said the idea for digital signage stemmed from a severe winter storm that shut down part of the highway on January 4, 2018.
“We had travelers getting stuck in the Adelaide-Metcalfe-Strathroy area so we actually had to set up a warming centre back in 2018,” said Smith. “If those signs were in place then, then they could have indicated that the 402 would be closed going forward and to get off at that exit to go to that warming centre.”
The mayor said the signs also offer other opportunities to give driving reminders.
“It’s notorious on the 402 between Osena Road and Hickory Drive, in that area there’s a lot of snow build-up, so I think it will be life-saving when people read the sign to remind them to slow down,” he said.
Smith said he also hopes the Ministry of Transportation will utilize the signs to post MADD campaigns or details pertinent to Amber Alerts.
Smith said one of the signs installed is along the highway in Adelaide Metcalfe between the Kerwood Road exit and Centre Road exit. The other sign faces westbound traffic along Hwy. 402 near the Longwoods exit.
