CORNWALL, Ontario – At their meeting on Monday, Dec. 12, Cornwall City Council heard proposed safety changes along Hwy. 138, including a roundabout where the major artery intersects with Headline Rd.
Hwy. 138 is the responsibility of the Ontario Ministry of Transportation.
Stantec was briefing Council on the provincial plan which includes new passing lanes, channelized turning lanes, carpool parking lots and a possible St. Andrew’s West by-pass in addition to a proposed roundabout at Headline Rd.
“I think if anything its an improvement to what it is now,” said Councillor Andre Rivette.
Rivette and other councillors however raised concerns about the extended timeframe for the implementation of any of these changes.
The minimum timeframe for any changes to Hwy. 138 is 10 years, with changes such as a by-pass of St. Andrews being 20 or more years down the road.
The study on improvements to Hwy. 138 and there are still public consultations to come before the Province makes their final decisions.
The plan includes closing as many 29 entrances to the 138, including residential driveways, or trails. Property acquisitions would also be required in order to install permanent snow fencing along some parts of the highway.
The proposed carpools would be designed to ease parking demands on places such as the St. Andrews Church.
The first public consultation is on Dec. 14 at the Lion’s Club on McPhail Rd., followed by a Municipal Advisory Committee Meeting on Jan. 10, 2017.
“I think I said back in June, thank goodness you’re hear, so thank goodness you’re back,” said Councillor Bernadette Clement. “A lot of our residents are concerned with safety along the 138.”
