It was just over two weeks ago that Moose Jaw City Council approved a motion to change the four way stop at the corner of Fairford and 4th Avenue NE into a two way stop, from the then four way stop.  

The four way intersection had been in place for about a decade, at the request of the hospital administration.  But with that facility now closed, the need was no longer there according to Councillor Brian Swanson who brought forward the motion that was supported by the majority of councillors.

The very next day, two of the stops signs were gone and traffic was flowing east and west on Fairford. While quite efficient in the change, the move caused issues for regular drivers through the area. It caused several close calls between vehicles and one reported accident.

About ten days after the stop signs had been removed, a press release was sent out by the city and a post was made to social media explaining the change to a two way stop had been made official. But 24 hours later, the four way stop was back, causing even more confusion.

"An employee, in good faith, acted to have the sings removed once receiving a memo from one of our managers that that would happen." explained City Manager Matt Noble, who admitted that somebody jumped the gun.

"We have some technically issues to address with respect to traffic volumes and administration with respect to authorities for removing these things."

While the motion to remove the four way stop was approved by council, that simply sets the wheels in motion to change the Traffic Bylaw.  That actual change has not happened yet.

Noble says demolition on the old Union Hospital will also impact traffic through the area, so while there has been a decrease in recent months since the hospital closed, the heavy equipment needed for demolition will be taken into account.