Minden Hills council, last Thursday (June 11), sent staff and their consultant engineer back to the drawing board over a proposed crosswalk on Bobcaygeon Road in the downtown.
Director of public works, Mike Timmins, updated council on the project design and public feedback. He noted council approved the project in its 2026 budget; and discussed it at a March 26 meeting. Some councillors were worried about the loss of parking, and wanted to hear from businesses and residents.
The proposed location is halfway between Water Street and Newcastle Street, which Timmins said, “represents a more favourable location with better sight lines in either direction.” He said it would be combined with flashing beacons using push button indicators.
Timmins said the existing courtesy crossings, between UpRiver and CIBC, and where Water Street meets Bobcaygeon Road, have raised pedestrian safety concerns during this term of council.
Timmins said a revised design for the pedestrian crossing reduces the number of lost parking spaces to four. Accessible parking spaces have also been reduced.
As for public feedback, Timmins said “the majority of the negative comments were from residents who did not feel that the pedestrian crossover is warranted, or questioned the timing of the project. Many positive comments were received from residents who welcome additional traffic control safety features in Minden village.”
He said there was misinformation on social media: that this is an overpass with stairs. It is not. Timmins added some residents believed the project has an estimated cost of $500,000. The crosswalk is estimated at $130,000.
Council weighs in
Coun. Ivan Ingram said he doesn’t see the need for the new crosswalk. “If it isn’t broke, don’t fix it. There’s nothing wrong with the ones we’ve had. Nobody’s got hit by a car that I know of. It doesn’t make sense. Why don’t we improve what we have?”
CAO Cynthia Fletcher noted council had already approved the project, and staff and the consultant engineer had done a lot of work. However, Coun. Tammy McKelvey said she did not remember a lot of discussion about the $130,000 spend.
McKelvey said she remained concerned about losing parking in the downtown, and it appeared that to reduce the impact, some parking stalls are shorter. She is also worried about traffic backing up if they have crossing lights. She wondered if it would be better to make it a courtesy crossing.
Timmins said they could formalize additional parking on Water Street since people are already parking there.
Deputy mayor Lisa Schell said the loss of four parking spaces will impact businesses. She added she does not think the crosswalk will be used in the way it is intended.
Coun. Bob Sisson thought they could use existing crosswalks to accommodate the legion’s request for a commemorative crosswalk.
Mayor Bob Carter said they may not have had pedestrian deaths, but the existing crosswalks are unsafe. He likes the centre street crosswalk idea and thought it would be good for downtown businesses.
Coun. Shirley Johannessen expressed disappointment with how some councillors appeared to be walking the project back. “I’m in town almost on a daily basis and there have been very close calls. You hear the honking. You hear the swearing…I’m asking for better safety.”
Timmins said he would need to get clarification on the legality and implications of a new courtesy crosswalk; since there is no obligation to stop and it could cause confusion. He thought they would still lose four parking spots. Council also split the sidewalk tender from the crosswalk tender.
Staff will come back with more information at an as-yet unknown time.
