Saugeen Shores Council has approved what road improvements will be made in the neighbourhoods north of the Saugeen River in Southampton if plans to install sewers in the area go ahead.
The plan calls for curbs to be installed along most residential streets, sidewalks would be installed along Highway 21 and Ottawa Street.
Existing parts of the municipal trail system would also be incorporated, and bike lanes would be added to Highway 21 and County Road 13.
Town Engineer Dave Burnside calls it the “share the road” concept.”
Councillor Diane Huber says while the sewer project hasn’t been approved yet, she thinks it makes sense to enhance the community while the construction is being done.
However, she would like to see a more pedestrian friendly approach taken.
Huber says when road improvements are talked about in other neighbourhoods, ensuring easy use for pedestrians is always a priority.
She likes the share the road concept, but thinks there is a better element of safety when people are further away from cars.
Huber hopes the project considers what people in the neighbourhood want, while also looking at the good of the whole community.
Council is also moving ahead with an earlier announced project involving the “share the road” approach.
A contract worth over 111 thousand dollars has been awarded to Keith Snyder Construction of Port Elgin to build a new multi use path along Miramichi Bay and North Shore Roads.
Some of the path will run separately, but parallel to the road.
Other sections will be simply paved shoulders of the road.
