Itâs well known that the stretch of U.S. Route 11 between Canton and Potsdam can be risky for drivers.
One particularly problematic section is the entrance to the St. Lawrence Health System Medical Campus. Located at 6119 Route 11 in Canton, itâs been the scene of some major accidents.
âThe $23 million Medical Campus officially opened in March 2017, further developing the villageâs outskirts. But the facilityâs entrance is not always easy â or safe â to navigate. The southbound lane heading toward Canton has a wide shoulder [that] drivers sometimes use to turn, technically unlawfully, into the long driveway,â according to a story published Sunday by the Watertown Daily News. âWithout using the shoulder and without a turning lane, drivers alternatively slow from speeds of 55 mph or more to make the right-hand turn. Continuing toward Canton just past the driveway, the road slopes down and sweeps a tight corner under the railroad bridge near Route 11 Truck and Equipment Sales. Guard rails line some of the grassy embankments in the area. Driving toward Potsdam, the shoulder is narrower off the northbound lane and is bounded by a guard rail. With no turning lane, those needing to turn left into the Medical Campus are most often forced to stop and wait for oncoming traffic to clear, or attempt to pass on the outside.