Ontario Government Improving Safety for Warminster Community

NEWS RELEASE: April 18, 2023

SIMCOE NORTH – Jill Dunlop, MPP Simcoe North is thrilled to announce that the Government of Ontario will be providing full funding to upgrade the Warminster crosswalk lights to improve safety for the community. The crosswalk, which crosses over Highway 12, connects many families from the community to their local public school and is a main channel for travellers between the Midland area and Orillia.

“I know first-hand that the Warminster crosswalk has been an ongoing safety concern for the community, especially given so many children use the crosswalk everyday to get to school,” said MPP Dunlop. “After working closely with the Ministry of Transportation on this initiative, I’m pleased to announce that the Government of Ontario has committed to upgrading the crosswalk, exciting and welcome news for the entire region to help keep our communities safe.”

A 2020 study determined that there was a need to upgrade the Warminster crosswalk to a PXO crossing. Over the past year, the crosswalk continued to be a concern for safety due to the volume of traffic, adherence to speed and a unique situation beyond the control of both the community and the ministry of the sun rising and setting at both ends of the roadway causing visual impediments and inability to effectively see the crosswalk lights.

“Safety is a top priority of our government, which is why when MPP Dunlop brought the concerns of her constituents forward, our government took action,” said Caroline Mulroney, Minister of Transportation. “I am pleased these investments in infrastructure and safety will have a real impact on people’s lives and continue connecting this vibrant region.”

From the beginning, MPP Dunlop has been a strong advocate for upgrading the crosswalk to a pedestrian signal as well as the addition of police presence for monitoring. After discussions with the Township of Oro-Medonte and the Ministry of Transportation, it was agreed that the crossover should be upgraded to an Intersection Pedestrian Signal (IPS) to further improve safety for community.

“On behalf of Oro-Medonte Council and staff, I am extremely happy to see safety improvements to the Highway 12 and Warminster Sideroad intersection addressed by the Ministry of Transportation,” stated Randy Greenlaw, Mayor for the Township of Oro-Medonte. “Thank you to Minister Mulroney and MPP Dunlop for ensuring safety of the Warminster community by providing a safe crossing of Highway 12 for children attending Warminster Elementary School, and for residents.”

“As not only a local resident, but also a parent and volunteer firefighter, I was thrilled to hear that a new, safer crosswalk on Highway 12, a route many children take while walking to school, will be installed. On behalf of the community, I want to extend my sincere thanks to MPP Dunlop, Oro-Medonte Mayor Randy Greenlaw, and Ward 2 Councillor John Bard, for each personally reaching out to me to address my concerns and the support from the Ministry of Transportation,” said Warminster resident, Tom Smith.