Stop Sign at Centreville After Series of Accidents

Reserve — In response to a string of minor collisions over the past year, the Town of Centreville will replace the existing yield sign at the busy 3-way junction of Maplewood Drive, Church Street, and Pine Lane with a full stop sign next Monday, June 9. Municipal officials say the change aims to improve safety at what has become one of Centreville’s most accident-prone spots. 

Since last August, Centreville first responders have recorded six fender-benders and two more serious right-angle crashes at this intersection, where drivers on Maplewood Drive must currently yield to through-traffic on Church Street. “We kept hearing from residents that yield signs weren’t enough to slow motorists down,” explained Public Works Director Carla Singh. “By installing a stop sign on Maplewood, all three directions will have an equal right-of-way, which should reduce confusion and prevent further collisions.”

At a town council meeting on May 20, Councillor Robert Levesque recounted witnessing two near-misses firsthand last winter. “With snowbanks reducing sightlines, a car coming off Church almost T-boned a pickup from Pine Lane,” he said. “Swapping that yield for a stop makes sense. Drivers have to come to a full halt, which gives everyone a better chance to see oncoming traffic—even in poor weather.” The motion to approve the stop sign passed unanimously.

Starting early Monday morning, Public Works crews will remove the old yield sign and install a new stop sign accompanied by fresh pavement markings and reflective “All-Way” plaques. Traffic technicians will monitor the intersection over the following weeks to ensure drivers are adjusting to the change. Neighbourhood resident Linda MacMillan, whose home sits one block from the junction, says she’s relieved: “People used to barrel through without slowing. I worried every time my grandchildren rode their bikes past there. A stop sign is long overdue.”

Officials remind drivers to treat the intersection as a four-way stop: even if you arrive second, you must come to a complete stop and yield to any vehicle that arrived first. Centreville’s mayor, Jason McIntyre, added, “Safety is our top priority. We appreciate everyone’s patience during this adjustment, and we’ll continue evaluating other intersections town-wide to see where similar improvements are needed.”