Three collisions in five days at a Kingsville, Ont. intersection undergoing major construction have prompted safety concerns and a review by the Ministry of Transportation, according to the town’s deputy mayor. The collisions occurred between July 31 and Aug. 4 at Highway 3 and County Road 29, also known as Division Road. Multiple residents took to social media to report the first collision on July 31, which involved a motorcycle. A second collision happened Aug. 3, when Ontario Provincial Police responded to a two-vehicle crash at the intersection. Police said a 32-year-old Windsor woman was arrested and charged with dangerous driving, refusing to comply with a demand, and resisting an officer. The third collision was reported Aug. 4. A photo shared on social media appeared to show two vehicles involved. Kingsville Deputy Mayor Kimberly DeYong said she reached out to Essex County after the first two incidents. “There had been two in the matter of two days. When I reached out to the county and said, ‘Hey, I know this is a provincial highway. But what can we do about making it more safe?’ And they contacted the MTO right away,” said DeYong. “In that same day, there was a third accident. So it’s definitely causing some confusion.” DeYong said she has also heard from residents about near-misses and drivers navigating parts of the construction zone incorrectly. “The way the road’s blocked is intended to allow construction traffic. So it’s really not blocked,” she said. “It’s confusing when you’re turning that, ‘Oh, don’t follow the work truck in front of you down the closed lane.’” Sign placement is another part of the temporary configuration drivers are encountering. Along Division Road, a “Stop Here On Red” sign is correctly positioned near the point where vehicles stop for the temporary traffic lights. But on the Highway 3 approach, the same type of sign is positioned beneath the traffic lights, while the actual marked stopping point is significantly farther back. The work is part of the ongoing Highway 3 widening project, which will expand the roadway from two lanes — one in each direction — to four, with two lanes in each direction. According to DeYong, Division Road has only been open to through traffic across Highway 3 again for approximately three to four weeks. She said the change has brought more traffic through the intersection while construction continues. Kingsville resident Jodi Rickers said drivers in a hurry can add to the challenge. “There’s a lot of traffic on this road, and a lot of people are trying to rush to get to work every morning and rush home from work,” said Rickers. “So you get people tailgating and cutting in front of you and passing you. I think it’s very dangerous.” DeYong subsequently raised the issue publicly to put the concern on the record and receive an update from county administration. She said the MTO has acknowledged the concern and is conducting a review. “I think they’re going to review the whole stretch because there are several intersections that are currently under construction,” DeYong said. “Division and Highway 3 might be the busiest, but it’s certainly not the only one without some confusing markers.” DeYong said drivers should slow down and use additional caution while the work continues. There is no timeline yet for when the MTO review will be completed or whether it will result in temporary changes at the intersection. The overall Highway 3 widening project is expected to be completed in 2027.
