Warfield’s narrowest street has become even more treacherous with the addition of some new pavement and the coming of winter.
Montcalm Street now has drop of almost a foot in some places from the new pavement down to the narrow, crumbling shoulder that hovers up to 25 metres above the CP Rail tracks below.
When the road was plowed during the first seasonal snow storm last month, the drop to the shoulder was filled in, creating a potentially hazardous surprise for anyone who strays a few inches beyond pavement.
“When we plow that road people could think it is wider than it is and go over the bank,” village manager Vince Morelli reported to council Tuesday.
Councillors had a variety of suggestions from installing no-post guardrail, to making it a one-way street coming up the hill from the village’s Skunk Hollow neighbourhood, and even closing the narrow thoroughfare all together.
Mayor Bert Crockett noted that the old, poorly-constructed road has numerous issues that have to be addressed, He noted there was resistance from Annable residents the last time the suggestion of making it one-way was raised.
“It is good to have it both ways.,” Crockett said. “It certainly needs some signage, but no-post would make it even narrower,” he said. “One day we will be dealing with that road one way or another.
“The last time we discussed it with CP Rail they insisted it is not a (legal) road.”
Counsellor Tom Milne suggested shutting Montcalm, noting the potential for washouts and crashes onto the tracks below is not only a safety issue but a potential liability.
“CP sued the (Birchbank) golf course for $60,000 over water running onto their tracks. Close it.”
Reflective posts were discussed but it was noted these would get pushed over or buried by the now the snow plow.
Morelli told the Times Wednesday that the maintenance crew has looked at the situation and will install long pieces of re-bar with reflective tape on them to mark the edge of the pavement.