Fort Frances town council received a report from the local Traffic Safety Committee on Monday night regarding the perennial problem of border traffic line-ups here each summer.
One suggestion of the committee was that it meet with the local Police Services Board to review the issue and look into getting involved in the “Intelligent Border Crossing” program.
According to the program’s website (www.intelligentborder.ca), the Intelligent Border Crossing is a joint initiative of the Ontario Ministry of Transportation (MTO) and Transport Canada.
An action plan currently is being developed to provide the safest and most effective border crossings between Ontario and the U.S., and support Ontario’s quality of life and economy through the deployment of technology in the form of Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS).
ITS represents the application of advanced and emerging technologies (computers, sensors, control, communications, and electronic devices) in transportation to save lives, time, money, energy, and the environment, the website noted.
These systems are referred to as “intelligent” because the technologies used incorporate sensory capabilities, memory, communications, information processing, and adaptive behaviour, and are designed to improve the movement of people and goods.
Also in its report, the Traffic Safety Committee recommended:
•a constant police presence to maintain order during Canada-U.S. border traffic line-ups;
•possibly erecting permanent signage to better communicate with motorists in line to cross the border; and
•reviewing how International Falls Police deal with border motorists.
Operations and Facilities manager Doug Brown also noted that required detour signage for border traffic will be used by Bay City Contractors while it wraps up construction along King’s Highway this summer.
While the highway construction work did not occur during peak times for Canada-U.S. traffic line-ups last year, “this will not be the case in 2005,” Brown said.
The Traffic Safety Committee report was made in response to a letter dated Oct. 21, 2004 from the Police Services Board, which voiced concerns over border traffic issues.
By approving the report Monday night, council also directed the Traffic Safety Committee to meet with the Police Services Board to review the necessary information in order to improve all conditions for motorists during border traffic line-ups.
Also at Monday night’s meeting, council:
•authorized Clerk Glenn Treftlin to sign the final release in the amount of $13,456.40 receivable for damages to town property due to a motor vehicle accident that occurred June 20, 2004 (a vehicle had run into two light standards on the waterfront in this incident);
•deferred a capital expenditure of $13,817.48 for lighting at the airport parking lot from the 2005 capital budget to a future capital budget;
•authorized administration to submit grant applications to the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corp. for wage subsidies for three summer student positions;
•rejected two bids on the town’s recycling trucks with the understanding re-tendering will occur once administration has investigated the recycling market and determine if a reasonable bid closer to the reserve bid can be obtained;
•directed that correspondence be forwarded to the Rainy River District Municipal Association indicating the town’s support of a resolution from the Township of Chapple concerning an amendment to the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act (this amendment regards hunting near municipalities);
•authorized staff to proceed with implementation and application of new Health and Safety Policies for town employees; and
•accepted a report from the Administration and Finance executive committee regarding assessment of properties on Emo Road and Third Street East (this report is for information only).
Fort Frances Times
Local News from Across the Rainy River District
