Albion fire chief wants reduced speed, better signage near dangerous intersections
File photos by Tom Rivers – Five people were injured in a two-vehicle accident on Jan. 24 at the intersection of Gaines Basin Road and West Countyhouse Road. Albion Fire Chief Harry Papponetti said it is one of three intersections in the Albion community prone to frequent collisions.
ALBION – Reducing speeds, adding signage and perhaps flashing lights may be the answer to reducing some of the accidents at three notorious intersections in the Albion community, Fire Chief Harry Papponetti told the Village Board this evening.
The intersections are all outside the village. The Albion Fire Department is frequently called to extricate trapped drivers, clean up roadways, direct traffic and provide emergency care.
On Friday the Fire Department was back at the intersection at Gaines Basin and Albion-Eagle Harbor roads after an accident. One person needed to be extricated from a smashed vehicle.
Four people were taken to the hospital following a two-car accident on Friday at the Gaines Basin Road and Albion-Eagle Harbor Road intersection.
“We have three very serious intersections and the town and county aren’t doing anything about it,” Papponetti told the Village Board.
Gaines Basin Road has another dangerous spot at the intersection with Countyhouse Road, Papponetti said. Another bad intersection is on Route 31 at Eagle Harbor Road.
All three of the intersections have been the scene of fatal collisions and many serious accidents over the years, he said.
Village officials and Police Chief Roland Nenni agreed the three spots are dangerous. He said county dispatch could generate a report on all of the accidents in recent years.
Mayor Dean London said the Village Board could write a letter to the town and county, as well as the state Department of Transportation, asking them to look into making the spots safer for motorists.
Firefighters sweep up debris after three vehicles were involved in an accident on Route 31 at the Eagle Harbor Road intersection on March 2.
Papponetti said there was another bad intersection in Albion at Holley Road and Riches Corners Road. But there have been few accidents there since the speed was reduced near the intersection, he said.
Gaines Basin Road has become busier since Wal-Mart opened about a decade ago. Papponetti also thinks some motorists try to avoid Main Street and the traffic lights and use Gaines Basin as a short cut.
Albion-Eagle Harbor Road has dips on the west side of Gaines Basin and a curve on the east side. Papponetti said he would like to at least see the speed be reduced. Village Attorney John Gavenda said there should be a four-way stop there.
The DOT responded to pressure about one dangerous intersection in the county. The state last year agreed to reduce the speed on a stretch of Maple Ridge Road near the Salt Works Road intersection in Medina.
