Ajay Sharma doesn’t think the city is doing a bang-up job of keeping city streets safe.
The New West resident recently hit an electrical pole on East Columbia Street near the Brewery District. Unlike most poles, which are located on sidewalks, this pole is on the road.
“It should not be there on the street,” he told the Record. “It is in the wrong place. A pole should not be on the street.”
Sharma had to pay $450 to replace his side-view mirror, after he clipped the pole while parking on East Columbia Street. He also lost over $1,000 in wages for the three days he was unable to use his van for the carpet cleaning business he operates, and he plans to take the matter to small claims court.
“We pay taxes, we pay insurance and the street is not safe,” he said.
After complaining to city hall, Sharma received a letter from the city’s insurance coordinator stating the pole has been in this location for more than 30 years and the city hasn’t received any complaints about its location. The letter also stated it’s a driver’s responsibility under the Motor Vehicle Act to operate his/her vehicle with due care and attention at all times, regardless of weather and road conditions, poor visibility, pedestrian traffic, hazards, roadway obstructions, obstacles etc.
“Never mind if it’s 30 years or 100 years, it is in the wrong place,” Sharma said. “There were hundreds of bruises on that pole. So many people hit that pole. To stop more from coming, they should remove the pole.”
The electrical pole at 240 East Columbia St. provides a high-voltage feed to a customer and is located against the sidewalk to provide a safe distance from the building, according to the city.
Rod Carle, general manager of the city’s electrical utility, said there’s a “fair number” of spots in the city where electrical poles are located just outside the curb in parking stalls, including Blackford, Brantford, Princess, Hamilton and Carnarvon streets. He said the placement of electrical poles often relates to safety and clearance requirements and to keep sidewalks clear for pedestrians.
Nowadays, any new buildings would put their electrical services underground, Carle said.
“The guys were saying we haven’t actually put in any new distribution lines since 1998 or 1999. Obviously there is underground stuff going in,” he said. “There might be the odd pole that needs to be replaced or relocated because of construction or new development.”
