COBDEN — Whitewater Region council is hopeful of convincing Renfrew County to take over Grants Settlement Road, which used to belong to the county years ago.
The idea was first brought to the table when the county’s operations manager Steve Boland spoke at a recent township committee meeting about the construction to be done on county roads in the municipality.
At that meeting, Councillor Daryl McLaughlin questioned if the county would consider taking over Grants Settlement Road, because during the tourist season it is well-used and it should have paved shoulders so that it’s safe for everyone to use.
During last week’s council meeting, Councillor Chris Olmstead brought that discussion to the table again, saying while the road isn’t used much between November and March, from April to October it’s well-used by vehicles, cyclists, walkers and horseback riders.
He would like a comparison done, if possible, of the traffic counts today compared to those of years ago.
“That area is a destination throughout the valley and worldwide,” Coun. Olmstead said. “The traffic count must be multiple times of what it once was.”
Coun. McLaughlin said, if his memory is correct, the township owned the road, then the county took it over and reconstructed it in 1988 and then gave it back to the township.
Councillor Charlene Jackson wants to know what is required to bring that recommendation to the county table.
While Coun. McLaughlin said he doesn’t know the requirements for the county taking it over, he did say, “It’s one of the most important roads for tourism in Renfrew County.”
Coun. Olmstead said reading the county’s requirement for economic development, one of the promotions is to incorporate active transportation, which includes driving, scenic and cycling routes.
“It sounds like it’s the perfect road for them to adopt,” he said.
Mayor Hal Johnson said, “Don’t get your hopes up,” and that the reeve should bring the discussion to the Operations Committee.
