Municipality of Argyle raises highway safety concerns

Warden Aldric d’Entremont indicated at a recent meeting of Argyle council that he had been getting calls from people expressing concern about Exit 31, the highway’s Pubnico-area exit.

People say they would like to see an overpass built at the intersection, he said, noting that motorists getting onto the 103 there have to be particularly cautious when the visibility is poor such as in foggy conditions.

“I have to agree it’s pretty dangerous at times,” he said during the council session.

He suggested that the municipality contact the Department of Transportation and Public Works about the situation.

Council members noted that the exit is a high-volume traffic area.

Meanwhile, another part of Highway 103 came up during the same meeting as a matter of concern.

Councillor Bruce Hubbard cited the area where vehicles turn off to get to Nakile Home for Special Care as one that needs some attention from the transportation department.

The province took action a couple of years ago to address safety concerns in the same general area of the 103 for west-bound traffic by adding a right-turning lane.

Concern had been expressed about this area since the opening of Drumlin Heights school and the resulting increase in the number of vehicles, including school buses, turning off from the highway at this juncture.

Council wants the province to look at the Nakile turnoff and see what might be done to make things safer for east-bound motorists exiting the highway there.

In an interview Councillor Hubbard said the turnoff could be made safer without the level of work and expense that went into the west-bound turning lane near Drumlin Heights.