Antle ‘ecstatic’ with plan for Commonwealth T’Railway crossing

Mount Pearl councillor Bill Antle said he is ecstatic with council’s decision to install a proper crossing along Commonwealth Avenue where the busy road bisects the T’Railway. Behind Antle to the right is the City’s notice to residents to cross at the dedicated crossing further up the road, advice that few residents heed. Mark Squibb photo

By Mark Squibb

The City of Mount Pearl is undertaking an upgrade of the Commonwealth and T’Railway intersection, and perhaps no one is happier with the news than councillor Bill Antle, who has advocated for years for a proper crossing there.

“I was ecstatic,” said Antle. “Because if someone was killed here, how bad would we feel because we never did anything to fix it?”

The City will install a user-activated pedestrian signal, realign the trail for clearer sightlines, install a raised island on Commonwealth Avenue, and make the Glendale Avenue and Commonwealth Avenue intersection a right-turn-only lane. Because of the raised island, folks will also no longer be able to turn left onto Glendale Avenue from Commonwealth Avenue.

The question of a T’Railway crossing at Commonwealth has proved contentious over the years for a number of reasons.

Currently, the City encourages people using the T’Railway to walk up Commonwealth and use the dedicated crosswalk at the Park Avenue and Ruth Avenue intersection rather than cross Commonwealth. According to City data, however, more than half of T’Rrailway users chance crossing Commonwealth unassisted rather than use the dedicated crosswalk further up the road. (Anecdotally, in the 30 minutes a Shoreline reporter and Antle sat on a bench near the crossing one Monday afternoon, perhaps a dozen people crossed the road, and only one walked up Commonwealth to the dedicated crosswalk.)

Antle, however, argued that the steep grade and narrow sidewalks of Commonwealth Avenue are not conducive to bikers or people with mobility challenges.

In times past the Transportation Association of Canada (TAC) had actually recommended against installing a T’Railway crossing along Commonwealth, citing traffic speeds and proximity to the Commonwealth, Ruth, and Park Avenue intersection.

“My first question when I got on council was, ‘When are we going to fix this crosswalk?’” said Antle. “And all I heard was reasons why we can’t. ‘We can’t put it here because the TAC manual says we don’t have the right distance,’ or we don’t have this or we’ don’t have that. But guess what? We do. We’ve had studies done on this, and we just had one done by Harbourside (Consultants), and we do have a line of sight, and we do have those pedestrian activated crosswalk lights (at Commonwealth.)”

Adding to the confusion are folks trying to merge onto Commonwealth from the Mount Pearl Plaza parking lot and a bus stop at the mouth of the T’Railway.

“This was not an easy fix,” allowed Antle. “There are so many complications with this trail.”

Mayor Dave Aker said the solution will be a good fix, but allowed the City may revisit it in the future when work is undertaken to replace the bridge just a couple of minutes walk up the road.

“I don’t look at it as an interim measure, but it’s something we can revisit,” said Aker. “What we’re finding is that there is some traffic there, and it’s a little bit unsafe for pedestrians, but that peak in pedestrian traffic is not throughout the entire day and it’s rarely at the time of peak traffic, such as the commute in the morning…. Some of the solutions we looked at, like putting a bridge (over Commonwealth) were going to cost in the millions of dollars. If there was consistent pedestrian and bicycle traffic going across, I think we could justify it. But at the end of the day, I think the glove is fitting the situation quite perfectly. How long that intersection will be there will depend on how long the bridge will be there. When the bride is rebuilt, reconfiguration of the crossing may take place at that time. But I think we’re in for the long haul. We wouldn’t be spending $650,000 to throw it out in three years time.”

As the tender has not yet been awarded, the City could not give an exact cost of the project.

Construction is expected to start later this summer, and the new crosswalk is scheduled to open in the fall.

‘Cut it out and take some pride in where you live’

By Mark Squibb

Mount Pearl councillor Chelsea Lane says the City has received multiple complaints about graffiti in recent weeks.

“We take a lot of pride in our beautiful parks, our benches, and trailways here in Mount Pearl, and it’s really disheartening when we get more and more messages of graffiti with slanderous words all over the city,” said Lane, who herself had a recent run in with fresh graffiti.

The councillor said she had brought her children to the playground at Pine Bud Crescent and came across some fresh graffiti.

“Max was playing on the slide, and he came over and his hands were all white,” said Lane. “I said, ‘My gosh, what have you gotten into?’ And someone had spraypainted the whole slide white and wrote slanderous words over the rest of the equipment. And that’s just one example we’ve heard of in the last couple of weeks.”

Lane said City staff made short work of the graffiti, but it’s disheartening they have to deal with graffiti time and time again.

“If you’re the one who is doing graffiti, please cut it out and take some pride in where you live, and have some respect for the people utilizing our facilities and our equipment,” said Lane.

The councillor also asked parents to talk with their children about graffiti and its impacts.

“It’s not just a Mount Pearl issue, but we certainly have it here, and given the current weather, it’s happening more and more,” said Lane, who also made a plea for people to report graffiti when they see it.

City hoping for Indigenous mural

By Mark Squibb

The City of Mount Pearl is inviting Indigenous artists with a connection to any Indigenous community within the province to submit expressions of interest to design and create a permanent mural to be displayed at the Centennial Park stage next to City Hall.

“We are honoured to provide a space where Indigenous voices, stories, and creativity can be celebrated and shared with the entire community,” said Mayor Dave Aker.

Councillor Mark Rice said that he as well was pleased with the decision.

“This initiative is part of our commitment to truth and reconciliation and reflects our intent to create more inclusive, public spaces that recognise and celebrate Indigenous culture and presence,” said Rice.

Full details are available on the City’s website.

Submissions are due August 8.

Junior Constables hit the streets of Mount Pearl

Mount Pearl Superintendent of Municipal Enforcement Blair Tilley, left, spent a day this month serving with Junior Constables Saira Jitthu and Vlad Terekhov, and RNC Inspector Steve Knight, right, as part of the Mount Pearl Crime Prevention Committee’s Officer for a Day Program. Mark Squibb photo

By Mark Squibb

Vlad Terekhov of Mary Queen of the World and Saira Jitthu of Morris Academy have been named the RNC’s newest Junior Constables.

The two Grade 5 students earned the honour after being selected from among hundreds of students who participated in the Mount Pearl Citizens Crime Prevention Committee’s annual thank-you card competition.

The two spent the day of July 3 with real life RNC officers and Mount Pearl enforcement officers, and visited police facilities, met a police dog, learned how to use a speed gun, rode in a squad car, met with members of Mount Pearl council, and helped with an ATV patrol in Mount Pearl.

Both agree that meeting the police dog was probably their favourite part of the day.

“This type of activity inspires not just the police force, but the whole community,” said Constable James Cadigan. “It certainly shows the importance of community partnerships.”

Cadigan praised the youths for their creativity, awareness of local issues, and desire to help out.

“We certainly look forward to seeing what these young people bring to their community in years to come,” said Cadigan.

Canada Day in Mount Pearl

St. David’s Park was the place to be on Canada Day. Just ask little Charlie Drake, who brought her parents, Elise and Jay, out with her to enjoy the celebrations.

There were live musical performances, food vendors, bouncy castles, games, and more for folks of all ages to enjoy. From left, Yvonne Peddle, Amelia Hearn, Andrea Hearn, and Alaina Hearn, dressed to impress for Canada Day. Mark Squibb photos

Pole crash leads to hefty bill for City

By Mark Squibb

A traffic accident at the intersection of Richard Nolan Drive and Old Placentia Road has caused the City to cough up over $24,000 to replace a light pole.

Councillor Bill Antle brought forward a motion to do just that at council’s June 24 public meeting.

Harbourside Engineering Consultants assessed it and found the base structurally weak and in need of replacement after being struck by a vehicle.

Staff recommend council award the contract to Mallard Forestry Equipment in the amount of $24,124, HST included, for supply of a replacement Traffic Pole at the intersection.

As the contract does not cover the cost of installation, Mayor Dave Aker asked who would be installing the pole, noting the purchase of the pole itself was “only part of the conversation in terms of the overall cost.”

Aker also pointed out that Dexter Construction had recently installed a pole at intersection of Commonwealth Avenue and Topsail Road.

Engineering director Scott Batt said he would have to look into the matter further.

The motion to purchase the light pole was approved unanimously.

City Hall gets clean bill of financial health from auditor

By Mark Squibb

The City of Mount Pearl took in more money than it anticipated in 2024, as noted in a financial audit approved by council last week.

Staff budgeted $58.9 million in revenue in Budget 2024, compared to actual revenue of $63 million, an increase of about six percent.

Councillor Mark Rice explained the City recorded a higher than anticipated intake primarily due to the unexpected receipt of money through the federal government’s Housing Accelerator Fund program, which subsidizes the development of high-density housing. Those funds had not been anticipated during the budget planning process. Rice added that higher interest rates led to greater than expected revenue in the municipal sector.

Operating and capital expenditures, meanwhile, were consistent with budgeted expectations.

“It’s so pleasing to bring this audit in,” said Rice. “In 2024, the City continued to demonstrate strong financial stewardship, which is very, very important.”

Council Bill Antle, meanwhile, spoke highly of the City’s financial health.

“When we look at our finances, Mount Pearl is so well run,” said Antle. “Our debt servicing here in the City of Mount Pearl, I would venture to guess, is one of the lowest in the province. When we do things, we do it right. When we do anything in Mount Pearl, we ask, ‘Is it budgeted?’”

Mayor Dave Aker also praised the audit results.

“I think this is a real reflection on the great job that everybody in our City does in terms of managing expenditures,” said Aker. “Collection rates are extremely high. Revenues typically do not come in under budget, they come in slightly over, and we don’t want to take too much from a tax revenue point of view. Expenditure control is really good, and management of the working capital and cash resources is second to none.”

The audit, conducted by BDO, expressed no concerns of potential fraud risk, non-compliance, or poor financial management among City staff.

O’Donel student recognized with safety award

By Mark Squibb

Vanessa Earle of O’Donel High School has been named Workplace NL’s 2025 Safe Student.

Earle is known for her commitment to promoting mental wellbeing at her school and the larger community through initiatives such as creating personalized communication cards for non-verbal individuals.

Earle also teaches swimming lessons to people with special needs, prioritizing their safety through ongoing training in crisis prevention and intervention.

Earle was awarded $1,000 for the recognition.

In addition, Kris Brown, Vice Principal of A.P. Low Primary School in Labrador City, was named the Health and Safety Educator of the Year.

Manhole pipe replacement to cost $29K

By Mark Squibb

Mount Pearl council last week approved some additional work related to the construction of the new community centre at the Team Gushue Sports Complex.

Councillor Bill Antle explained the corrugated metal pipe between the manhole and existing storm manhole at the end of Emberley Place needs to be replaced. Staff recommended council approve the change order, which includes removal and disposal of the old pipe, and installation of the new pipe, at a cost of $29,134, HST included.

The motion was approved unanimously.

Council awarded a contract valued at $15.5 million for construction of the new community centre — set to replace the aging Park Place facility — to JMJ Holdings last June.

The new facility will boast a splash pad that can be transformed into an ice surface during the winter months and multi-purpose space capable of seating 500.

Construction is expected to be completed by early 2026.

Mount Pearl councillors applaud a new traffic calming policy

By Mark Squibb

Mount Pearl councillors last week approved a new traffic calming policy they hope will make it easier for residents to bring traffic concerns to the attention of City staff.

“The City of Mount Pearl’s Traffic Calming Policy has been developed in response to growing community concerns regarding vehicle speeding, shortcutting, and overall traffic safety in residential areas,” explained councillor Bill Antle. “Rooted in best practices from the Transportation Association of Canada (TAC), the policy provides a structured, transparent, and data-driven framework to assess and address traffic-related issues.”

Several councillors spoke in favour of the new policy.

“I’m so happy this is coming in, because we have got a speeding issue in the city,” said councillor Mark Rice, adding the policy will allow residents greater input into the City’s traffic calming.

“This is a direct endeavour to really support more safe streets, in a way in which people can talk about, highlight, or acknowledge where there are safety issues and speeding issues,” concurred Deputy Mayor Nicole Kieley, who pointed out further that not every issue will have the same solution.

“What I appreciate about this policy is that it’s flexible,” said Kieley. “It looks at every scenario in its own unique way, but first and foremost is safety.”

The deputy mayor said speeding remains a number one concern among residents.

Councillor Jim Locke praised the policy’s “systematic approach to issues.”

“It’s a very thorough policy, and as the deputy mayor indicated, there are different measures depending on the issues — speed bumps, speed humps, curve outs, all these different things, so this is a very systematic approach to assess the issue and then develop the appropriate measure.” said Locke.

Councillor Isabelle Fry, meanwhile, asked for clarification on how a resident would go about having a traffic concern addressed.

Scott Batt, Director of Engineering and Development, said the policy can be found on the City’s website or folks can pick up a hardcopy at City Hall. Once a resident submits a concern to the City, staff will follow up as per the new policy.

Councillor Chelsea Lane applauded the policy but contested the claim that Mount Pearl has a speeding issue.

“I don’t think, as a city as a whole, we have a speeding issue,” said Lane. “I think there are isolated areas in the city where speeding is more prevalent. But, as a whole, I don’t think we have any more of a speeding issue than any other municipality.”

Mayor Dave Aker meanwhile, noted the policy has technically been in effect for a time already but was only now being made available to the public.

Council approved the policy unanimously.