Database of Concerning Sightlines in Summerside

The issue of inadequate sightlines is not new to the City of Summerside. In fact, in 2010 (see article on the right), the city created a catalogue of dangerous intersections, and the then-Chair of the Police Services Committee (Councillor Cory Thomas) stated that many intersections within the city pose a major safety hazard because motorists cannot see the oncoming traffic unless they venture far out into the travel lanes [source: Journal Pioneer (2010) City moves forward on street sightlines. 3 Jul 2010, by Mike Carson]. 

As of today, sightline issues continue to be discussed at the City.  During the Committee of the Whole meeting (October 3, 2023), safety concerns at the Fitzroy/Granville intersection (Councillor Norma McColeman) and an intersection in Lefurgey (Councillor Bruce MacDougall) were brought forward. Between November and December 2023, SAFE surveyed approx. 80% of the intersections in the city and identified 39 intersections where the sightline is inadequate:

• 32 Intersections that can be fixed with modifications of trimming trees/shrubs and adjusting fences;
• 7 Intersections with permanent obstructions that require advance warning of approaching inadequate sightline.

According to the City of Summerside Zoning Bylaw SS-15, the following conditions apply:

• No building, or fence or vegetation or any other structure over 0.75 m (2.4 ft) in height shall be located on a corner lot within a site triangle measured 6 m (19.6 ft) from the intersection of the lot line, excepting special allowances for buildings in a D zone and a transparent fence (Page 90).
• All existing and future vegetation located in a site triangle are to be maintained so that there are no branches up to 2 m (6.5 ft) measured from road grade. (p. 90)
• In residential zones, in addition to the limitations under section 11.1 [above], no fence or any vegetation shall exceed 0.75 m (2.4 ft) in height along a front lot line, or along a side lot line within the minimum required front yard with the exception of a transparent fence. Vegetation may be planted subject to the restrictions in Section 11.2.e.[this section does not exist]  (p. 91)
• A 0.6 m (1.96 ft) buffer zone between a fence, sign or planting vegetation and a road curb or sidewalk must be maintained free and clear to facilitate snow removal.  (p. 91)
• No fence or vegetation shall be located within a street R.O.W. (p. 91)

Please note that all of these concerns were shared with the City of Summerside on December 7, 2023, in our An Active Transporation Retrofit of Intersections that Pose a Risk to AT Users: Recommendations for the City of Summerside (pages 81-86). In the event we have not heard from the City since making these recommendations by April 2024, we will follow up on these recommendations.

Please send photos and updates on these, or other concerning sightline intersections to be added to our database, to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 

We have created an interactive map to make it easier to identify these intersections. Items with a "wrench" are fixable, requiring shrub, fence, or tree maintenance; items with a "building" are permanent sightline items such as buildings and require signage to warn traffic users of increased risk.

Please note: all of these images are taken from the driver's seat of a motor vehicle while the front of the vehicle is stopped in line with the stop sign. 

Sightlines with minor changes (shrub trimming, removal of trees, adjustment of fencing, etc.):

1. Pope/Crescent
Shared With City	December 7, 2023
Last Update	December 6, 2023
Outcome (if any):
Details:

2. Duke/Tower
Shared With City	December 7, 2023
Last Update	December 6, 2023
Outcome (if any):
Details:

3. Duke/Willow
Shared With City	December 7, 2023
Last Update	December 6, 2023
Outcome (if any):
Details:

4. Duke/Perry
Shared With City	December 7, 2023
Last Update	December 6, 2023
Outcome (if any):
Details:

6. Duke/Myrtle
Shared With City	December 7, 2023
Last Update	December 6, 2023
Outcome (if any):
Details:

7. Central/Highland
Shared With City	December 7, 2023
Last Update	December 6, 2023
Outcome (if any):
Details:

8. Central/Maple
Shared With City	December 7, 2023
Last Update	December 6, 2023
Outcome (if any):
Details:	When the shrub near Central is in full bloom, it is a sightline concern.

9. Central/Poplar
Shared With City	December 7, 2023
Last Update	December 6, 2023
Outcome (if any):
Details:

10. Central/Beaver
Shared With City	December 7, 2023
Last Update	December 6, 2023
Outcome (if any):
Details:

11. Granville/Ottawa
Shared With City	December 7, 2023
Last Update	December 6, 2023
Outcome (if any):
Details:

12. Granville/Cambridge
Shared With City	December 7, 2023
Last Update	December 6, 2023
Outcome (if any):
Details:

13. Granville/Fitzroy
Shared With City	December 7, 2023
Last Update	December 6, 2023
Outcome (if any):
Details:	Sightline issue discussed at the October 3, 2023 Committee of the Whole.  In summary, a number of residents concerned about the traffic and three accidents at this intersection reported to Councillor McColeman, and echoed the voice of the citizens: "Will City Council wait until someone is killed before doing something with this."  Councillor McColeman stated the residents have asked for a four-way stop. One incident Councillor McColeman shared was of a person riding an e-bicycle.  DM Snow stating the issue is a hedge and sight lines issue. CAO MacFarlane stated that Staff received those emails already and are looking into this issue. If the hedge is following the rules and is still an issue, the city may have to adjust the rules if the hedge is impeding sightlines.

14. Granville/Foundry
Shared With City	December 7, 2023
Last Update	December 6, 2023
Outcome (if any):
Details:

15. Elm/Wood
Shared With City	December 7, 2023
Last Update	December 6, 2023
Outcome (if any):
Details:

16. Elm/Willow
Shared With City	December 7, 2023
Last Update	December 6, 2023
Outcome (if any):
Details:	Create no parking zone at the intersection. No parking at intersections is proven best practice to increase the safety of all while increasing the sightline.

17. Beaver/Cedar
Shared With City	December 7, 2023
Last Update	December 6, 2023
Outcome (if any):
Details:	Sightline issue abuts sidewalk and unmarked crosswalk on the immediate route that provides direct transit to SIS, Parkside, and Queen Elizabeth Park. It also provides peripheral access to Elm Street

18. Arcona/Linden
Shared With City	December 7, 2023
Last Update	December 6, 2023
Outcome (if any):
Details:

19. MacEwen/Saunders
Shared With City	December 7, 2023
Last Update	December 6, 2023
Outcome (if any):
Details:

20. MacEwen/Chandler
Shared With City	December 7, 2023
Last Update	December 6, 2023
Outcome (if any):
Details:

21. Spring/Pleasant
Shared With City	December 7, 2023
Last Update	December 6, 2023
Outcome (if any):
Details:

22. Spring/Covent
Shared With City	December 7, 2023
Last Update	December 6, 2023
Outcome (if any):
Details:

23. Spring/Notre Dame
Shared With City	December 7, 2023
Last Update	December 6, 2023
Outcome (if any):
Details:

24. Spring/Church
Shared With City	December 7, 2023
Last Update	December 6, 2023
Outcome (if any):
Details:

25. Summer/Winter
Shared With City	December 7, 2023
Last Update	December 6, 2023
Outcome (if any):
Details:

26. Harvard/Eustane
Shared With City	December 7, 2023
Last Update	December 6, 2023
Outcome (if any):
Details:

27. Harvard/Russell
Shared With City	December 7, 2023
Last Update	December 6, 2023
Outcome (if any):
Details:

28. Russell/Ottawa
Shared With City	December 7, 2023
Last Update	December 6, 2023
Outcome (if any):
Details:

29. Ottawa/Johnston
Shared With City	December 7, 2023
Last Update	December 6, 2023
Outcome (if any):
Details:	Modification of the parking lot as the current layout presents a sightline issue.

30. Kirk/King
Shared With City	December 7, 2023
Last Update	December 6, 2023
Outcome (if any):
Details:

31. Kirk/Russell
Shared With City	December 7, 2023
Last Update	December 6, 2023
Outcome (if any):
Details:

32. Water/KFC Signage
Shared With City	December 7, 2023
Last Update	December 6, 2023
Outcome (if any):
Details:

Sightlines with major/immoveable infrastructure (houses, buildings, etc.): Recommend signage (ie, “STOP for Everyone’s Safety. Vision Blocked”)

1. Water/Confederation Trail
Shared With City	December 7, 2023
Last Update	December 6, 2023
Outcome (if any):
Details:	Recommended RRFB

2. Market /Duke
Shared With City	December 7, 2023
Last Update	December 6, 2023
Outcome (if any):
Details:

3. Market /Cedar
Shared With City	December 7, 2023
Last Update	December 6, 2023
Outcome (if any):
Details:

4. Cedar/Second
Shared With City	December 7, 2023
Last Update	December 6, 2023
Outcome (if any):
Details:

6. Summer/Fitzroy
Shared With City	December 7, 2023
Last Update	December 6, 2023
Outcome (if any):
Details:

7. Winter/Spring
Shared With City	December 7, 2023
Last Update	December 6, 2023
Outcome (if any):
Details: