Part 1: Skyway Bridge Signage Fix, Cherry Valley Safety Concerns, and New Traffic Calming Policy - 02/26/2025

The meeting opened at 5:00 p.m. and was live streamed as a virtual meeting. The chair confirmed the meeting was being recorded and conducted under the county’s procedural bylaw. The committee welcomed a new youth representative, who joined as a full member and was introduced alongside committee members, councillors, and county staff.

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The agenda was formally approved, and there were no disclosures of pecuniary interest. As required by the committee’s terms of reference, the annual election of the chair and vice chair took place. The existing chair was reappointed, and a new vice chair was selected. The minutes from the previous meeting were then adopted.

Announcements and Recognition

During announcements, a councillor took time to recognize the service of a recently departed OPP detachment commander. The committee acknowledged his leadership and long-standing commitment to traffic safety, noting that the county’s low collision and fatality rates reflect years of focused enforcement and education efforts.

Public Deputation on Highway 49 Signage

A resident delegation presented concerns about signage on County Road 49 at the Skyway Bridge near County Road 15. The delegation explained that the addition of multiple blue tourism signs had created a visual obstruction, blocking drivers’ ability to see oncoming traffic when making a left turn. This was described as especially dangerous given the 80 km per hour speed limit on the bridge.

Photos were shared showing how vehicles approaching from the bridge can be briefly hidden behind the signage. The delegation asked the committee to recommend that the signage be removed or relocated to improve safety. They cited the county’s sign bylaw, which prohibits signage that endangers public safety, and explained that they had been trying to resolve the issue since the fall without success.

Public Comment on Cherry Valley Intersection Safety

A second public speaker raised concerns about County Road 10 and County Road 18 in Cherry Valley. The speaker highlighted heavy summer traffic, frequent pedestrian crossings, and the lack of sidewalks leading to the local school. The intersection operates as a two-way stop, which visitors often find confusing, and residents expressed concern for children and families walking in the area.

The speaker emphasized that children are currently not allowed to walk to school due to safety concerns, yet many still walk to nearby parks and recreation spaces. The request asked the committee to explore options such as crosswalks, sidewalk improvements, or other safety measures.

Requests for Speed Reduction and Parking Enforcement

The committee reviewed several written public requests. One request asked for speed reduction and warning signage on South Big Island Road, a narrow rural road with curves where vehicles were reported to cross the centre line. The committee agreed the concern was reasonable and referred the matter to staff for a site review to determine whether additional signage was warranted.

Another request focused on parking enforcement and paid parking on North Big Island Road and Sprague Road, particularly during ice fishing season. Staff explained that no parking signage was already in place and enforced during winter months. Field reports indicated that parking compliance had improved significantly compared to the previous year. The committee agreed that extending no parking zones would likely shift the problem elsewhere and chose to simply receive the request.

Resolution on Highway 49 Signage

When the committee returned to the Skyway Bridge signage issue, staff offered a practical solution. Rather than removing the main directional sign, operational staff proposed relocating the blue tourism fingerboards to a different position and angle so they would no longer block sightlines. This approach addressed safety concerns while preserving necessary wayfinding. The committee agreed with this operational plan and requested a verbal update once the changes are completed.

Beach Street Parking and Water Station Access

Another public request addressed parking problems near the Beach Street water supply station during winter. Parked vehicles were making it difficult for water trucks to maneuver. Staff explained that this issue is temporary and linked to the transition toward a new bulk water station at the Wellington Tower. Snowbanks had already been moved to help, and further signage was seen as unnecessary given the seasonal nature of the problem.

Cherry Valley Crosswalk and Sidewalk Request

The committee revisited the Cherry Valley intersection request in more detail. Members noted that a three-way stop had already been rejected by council, limiting what the committee could reconsider. While the need for pedestrian safety was acknowledged, staff explained that crosswalks and sidewalk upgrades would require a capital project, engineering design, and budget approval.

The likelihood of meeting provincial crosswalk warrants was considered low, especially in a rural setting. The committee ultimately received the request without further action.

Draft Traffic Calming Policy

A major discussion focused on the draft traffic calming policy, which the committee praised as a long-awaited and important tool. The policy outlines a standardized process for reviewing traffic calming requests, focusing on built-up areas and residential roads. Staff explained that the policy would streamline decisions, reduce case-by-case inconsistency, and set clear expectations for residents. After discussion and clarification, the committee voted to receive the draft policy.

Task Team Updates and Adjournment

Updates were shared from the Transit Strategy Task Team, which is supporting the development of a long-term transit plan, and from the Senior Support Action Team, which has launched a pedestrian safety campaign using provincial grant funding. Reflective safety gear, public service announcements, and educational materials are now available across the county.

The meeting concluded with confirmation that the next meeting will be held on June 25, 2025, and the meeting was adjourned.

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Disclaimer: This article is based on a meeting with an approximate duration of 1:34:055. Due to the length of the meeting, our team was not able to independently review the full recording in its entirety. As a result, we relied on software-generated transcription, automated summarization, and automated recognition of speakers and participants, which may not be entirely accurate. All transcriptions, summaries, and related content are prepared by our team in good faith and on a reasonable best-efforts basis. The content is provided for general informational purposes only and is intended to support public understanding of the topics discussed. While reasonable efforts have been made to present the information accurately, automated processes may result in errors, omissions, or unintended misinterpretations. This article does not constitute an official, certified, or verbatim record of the meeting, and it should not be relied upon as such. Readers are encouraged to consult original source materials, official minutes, or recordings where available for confirmation or clarification. Questions, requests for clarification, or suggested corrections may be submitted to hello@pecconnect.ca for review and consideration.