New traffic lights switched on in east end Belleville

Belleville’s newest set of traffic lights is officially active.

Council members and staff were on hand at the intersection of Victoria and Herchimer avenues Thursday morning to flip the switch on new lights at that intersection.

Mayor Mitch Panciuk says the intersection is really busy, with schools, churches and the YMCA nearby, so it was important to get the lights installed.

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Panciuk says the need for the lights came about when Quinte Secondary School and Moira Secondary School merged into the new East Side Secondary School nearby.

He also said residents of a nearby retirement home advocated strongly for the lights to be put in.

Operations Supervisor Scott Whiteman says staff were able to complete the entire project without outside help, saving the city some money.

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He added that a shortage in traffic poles led to the need to bring poles in from overseas, which delayed the project slightly, as it was to be completed at the start of the school year.

Drivers are reminded that there is no longer a four-way stop at the east end intersection, as of today.

A crossing guard will remain at the intersection for the next two weeks to help people get across the road and help drivers adjust to the change.