February Highway 40 crash that sent three to hospital sparks call for flashing lights

St. Clair Township Mayor Jeff Agar is asking Lambton County to help push the province for flashing lights at Bentpath Line and Highway 40 after a February crash sent three people to hospital.

St. Clair Township Mayor Jeff Agar is asking Lambton County for help getting flashing lights installed at a Highway 40 intersection where three people were taken to hospital following a February crash.

Agar raised the issue during a Lambton County council meeting Wednesday, pointing to the intersection of Bentpath Line and Highway 40 in St. Clair Township.

Bentpath Line is a county road, but the intersection itself falls under the jurisdiction of Ontario’s Ministry of Transportation. That means Lambton County cannot install traffic-control measures there without ministry involvement.

Agar told county council the township has been trying to get a response from the ministry since the February collision, which sent three people to hospital, including one by air ambulance.

He expressed frustration that repeated attempts by township staff to contact the ministry have not led to action, saying residents are the ones being seriously hurt while the municipality waits for a response.

Jason Cole, Lambton County’s general manager of infrastructure and development services, said the county is not opposed to adding flashing lights at the intersection, but does not have the authority to do so on its own because the intersection is ministry-controlled.

Cole said county staff can assist the township by contacting the ministry about the request.

Agar described the intersection as a dangerous corner and said St. Clair Township is willing to pay for the flashing lights if approval is granted.

The request now appears likely to move forward with county staff helping the township press the province for a response.