Watch above: Concerns are mounting over ‘near miss’ collisions on Claypool Drive in Saskatoon’s Hampton Village as drivers travel eastbound in the westbound lanes. As Wendy Winiewski reports, a Global News camera crew witnessed two motorists driving the wrong way in a 30 minute period.
SASKATOON – During a 30 minute period, a Global News camera stationed on Claypool Drive in Saskatoon’s Hampton Village witnessed two motorists, unknowingly, travelling eastbound in the westbound lane. It’s a daily occurrence on the 1.2 kilometre stretch of road between Hampton Gate North and McClocklin Road.
“There’s lots of possible head on collisions happening,” explained Justine McCaffrey, president of Hampton Village Community Association.
“They think that the road is twinned and so people are using both lanes going the same direction.”
Eastbound lanes are accommodating both directions of travel while the city works to construct the westbound lanes. According to the City of Saskatoon’s manager of transportation, Angela Gardiner, the project has hit a snag.
“We’re currently waiting for final approvals from Transport Canada,” said Gardiner.
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The westbound lanes will eventually tie into the Claypool Drive and McClocklin Road intersection. With the city growing and pushing the boundary out, the intersection is right near the Saskatoon airport’s runways.
It is unclear how long the approval will take. Attempts to reach Transport Canada were unsuccessful.
At the very least, the community would like to see the city ease the dangerous problem for the time-being.
“We could have more signage, “said McCaffrey. “A couple more signs mid-way that remind people that it’s a two way street.”
Although signage is in place, the city is now considering installing more. Modifying sign plans, manufacturing them and installation could take a couple of weeks.
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