Residents, Islamic Association frustrated with Dominion traffic

Traffic congestion and multiple accidents are frustrating residents living near Dominion Boulevard and Northwood Street and the Windsor Islamic Association ispetitioning city council to do something about it.

The mosque ison the corner ofDominion Boulevard and Northwood Street. It has numerous issues with the roads. Theyinclude alack of designated turning lanes, amedian, street parking and a narrow driveway within the mosque's parking lot that's used by buses.

Residents living in the area say it's common to seeaccidents and speeding cars fly down the street.One of the busiest times in that intersection is between 12 p.m. and 3:30 p.m., when schools let students out for the dayand there aretwo prayer periods at the mosque.

Zafar Jutt helps keep the flow of traffic during Friday prayers. He has also lived in the area for 16 years.

"I live right by the intersection, a lot of accidents happen because people are merging," he said.

He wants the city to be proactive, before anyone is killed at that intersection. Jutt wants a pedestrian overpass like the one on Huron Church Road.

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Sherry Sauve has lived in the neighbourhood for more than two years. She's seen a lot of accidents and often worries about people crossing the street.

"I'm glad there arecrossing guards there because people are in such a hurry in the morning," Sauve said. "They're dropping of their own kids. They probably have to get to work. They do a rolling stop around the corner. It's a dangerous corner."

About three days ago she saw an accident at Dougall and Northwood. Acar was trying to turn when it was hit by an oncoming vehicle.

"When I heard the two cars hit, I went out there worrying that I was going to see where some kids were hurt," Sauve said.

No pedestrians were involved, but Sauve is hoping for a solution now. She would like to see a roundabout or morepolice presence to hopefully slow down speeders.

The Windsor Islamic Association has a few recommendations for city council. In the short-term it'shoping for a left turn signalon Dominion Boulevard and for the city toallow for nearby street parking near the mosque during its peak hours.

But they also have more involved recommendations for the long-term.

It'slooking to add left turning lanes on Dominion Boulevard, widening the intersection,and expeditingthe plan for the 'central box.'

A report from the city administration isheaded to city council on Monday. According to the report,many of the issues and solutions outlined by people in this area are a part of the ongoing 'central box'project.

Council has approved an environmental study and is currently in the 30-day review period.