After the tragic death of a mother last year on Highway 138, the province is looking for ways to improve safety on a stretch of road that drivers say poses real risks. Mother of two and business owner Amanda Maloney was killed in March 2025 at McNeil Road. Police at the time said they responded to a collision involving two tractor trailers and a passenger vehicle around 9:30 a.m. on March 29 at the intersection. For years, there have been calls for safety measures on the stretch. The Ministry of Transportation has launched a design study and environmental assessment of Highway 138. The study will address several intersections and between Highway 416 and Highway 401. Sarah Benton lives in the area and says she tends to avoid the road if possible. “I usually don’t take it if I’m driving locally,” she said in an interview with CTV News Ottawa. Her husband Chris Benton says the same and adds it’s not uncommon to hear of all kinds of accidents. “It’s like, quick paced,” he says of the road. “People are usually generally speeding over the speed limit because you can’t pass. There’s not many areas to pass.” François Landry, warden of the United Counties of Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry, says its welcome news to hear that calls for changes are being addressed. “It is something that needs to be addressed,” he says. “I’m just happy to hear that now we’re moving one step closer to getting construction than shovels on the ground.” Landry says that turning lanes and passing lanes are being reviewed but worries that not enough important intersections are being looked at. He says one of those is Lafleche Road, where dozens of trucks turn to reach the landfill every day. He says he will be pushing to see more included. “The people that live in this community are the ones that are affected by this 138, the traffic that takes place,” he said. “I think it’s our job to make sure that the province is aware of where we stand and what’s needed to make sure it’s a safe passage through our highway.” CTV News has reached out to the Ministry of Transportation but did not hear back before deadline. The warden says he plans to address the issue with the province at the upcoming Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) Conference but encourages residents to have their say on the study, which can be found on North Stormont’s website. A photo of Moloney remains off the busy road at McNeil Road where she was killed. The words “Drive Safely” are printed, all serving as a reminder. Some residents like Steven Nuttall say reducing speed must be part of any solution and would like to see more police presence on the road. “They’ve got to start cracking down on the speeders,” he said. “There’s nothing wrong with the road itself.”
