Slower speed limits? Shut down street? Amherstburg to decide
Drivers cruising through the core of Amherstburg could soon have to go a little slower and have one less block to travel down.
Town council is set to discuss the community’s first ever transportation master plan Monday evening.
Its manager of engineering, Todd Hewitt, says it will decide the future of getting around town.
“What we’re looking for from administration’s point of view is to guide our decisions moving forward in the next five to 25 years,” he says.
Hewitt, along with hired consultants and a roster of other Amherstburg admin staff, have spent the better part of the past two years drafting this 250 page plan.
In that time, two public surveys were circulated and two public open houses were held.
There are a number of recommendations made in the report headed to council Monday, but according to Hewitt, three stand out.
Those recommendations are:
- the town make the intersection of Simcoe and Meloche an all way stop,
- the speed limit within the heart of the town be lowered to 30 km/hr,
- the block of Murray Street closest to the river (between Ramsay and Dalhousie) be closed to vehicles all together and made a pedestrian only road.
Hewitt says the consultants hired identified that block as one that could be better suited as a “pedestrian mall area.”
“That would be better for businesses and for the property owners as well as provide a pedestrian thoroughfare for residents,” he said.
That’s not an idea everyone loves.
Four delegates signed up to speak at Monday’s council meeting — all opposed to the closure for that block.
Representatives from the masonic temple, for example, stating: “it is the only means of vehicular access to our building.”
Town Councillor Linden Crain said he heard those concerns — but that he also hears the voices speaking in favour of the idea.
“We have to make sure that everyone’s happy and it’s very tough to do that,” Crain said.
“We need to make sure everyone is accommodated in some way.”
Should the transportation master plan pass in full Monday it would not spell an immediate shutdown of the street.
Crain said it would start as a pilot project — and Hewitt said plenty of consultation with emergency services and businesses alike lay ahead in order to ensure adequate access.
Amherstburg council meets at 6 p.m. Monday evening.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
![](https://www.ctvnews.ca/polopoly_fs/1.6975012.1721775341!/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_800/image.jpg)
Canadian Olympic Committee offers 'heartfelt apology' after New Zealand accuses Canada Soccer of spying
The Canadian Olympic Committee offered a 'heartfelt' apology to New Zealand Football Tuesday after the New Zealand women's club accused the Canadian women's team of spying on them during a training session.
Jasper evacuees forced into B.C. to flee fires told to make U-turn to Alberta for aid
Thousands of wildfire evacuees forced from Jasper National Park into British Columbia along smoke-choked mountain roads Monday night were directed Tuesday to make a wide U-turn and head home if they needed a place to stay.
Pennsylvania state police commissioner reveals stunning details about Trump shooting
A local law enforcement commissioner revealed during a House Homeland Security hearing on Tuesday stunning new details about the security failures that led to the near assassination of Donald Trump, raising more questions for the embattled U.S. Secret Service.
Sunday was the hottest day ever recorded on Earth, scientists say
Sunday was the hottest day ever recorded, breaking global temperatures dating back to 1940, according to preliminary data from Europe's Copernicus Climate Change Service.
Polar bear at Calgary Zoo died by drowning following 'crushing' injury
The Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo has revealed the cause of death for polar bear Baffin last week.
Clip resurfaces of Vance criticizing Harris for being 'childless,' testing Trump's new running mate
Comments Donald Trump’s running mate JD Vance made in 2021 questioning U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris’ leadership because she did not have biological children have resurfaced, testing the young conservative senator in his early days campaigning as part of the Republicans' presidential ticket.
Premier says fine-tuning needed for alert system after miscommunicated Jasper evacuation timing
Alberta's premier says changes are needed to the province's emergency alert system after incorrect information was shared about the Jasper evacuation on Monday night.
'I had to go into hiding': Manitoba man still being harassed after charges into alleged human trafficking ring dropped
A man whose charges were stayed following an investigation into an alleged child sex trafficking ring in Portage la Prairie says his life has been ruined.
'Stars are aligning' for Bank of Canada rate cut: economists
The Bank of Canada is expected to deliver a dose of interest rate relief Wednesday when economists and market watchers predict the central bank will cut its overnight lending rate.