Detour plans for Road 38 Bridge removal cause concern

Jeff Green | Apr 01, 2015

Central Frontenac Township staff is working out the details of the removal of the bridge on Road 38 over the Trans Canada Trail in Sharbot Lake, and the problem of finding a detour during the construction phase of the project is proving to be difficult, and potentially expensive, to solve.

“We are trying to do the project in stages in order to keep one lane open as much as possible during construction, but there may be a period of time when we will need to direct traffic off Road 38 entirely,” said Central Frontenac CAO/Public Works Manager Jim Zimmerman.

Finding a way around Road 38 that is suitable for the volume and type of vehicle that travel the road on a daily basis has not been easy for township staff.

A plan to use the out of commission Howe Island ferry to transport vehicles from the government dock to a nearby clearing near the Sharbot Lake Marina was scuttled due to the impossible logistics of transporting the ferry up Road 38, particularly through Verona Main Street.

A second plan to pave a short section of the K&P Trail between the trailhead and the north end of Cannon Road could not be done because ownership of the trail has never been clarified with Canadian Pacific Railway.

The solution of choice will leave Central Frontenac on the hook for major road reconstruction costs. It is a plan to do a major upgrade to Cannon Road, the only alternative route through Sharbot Lake when Road 38 is closed, which could cost up to $100,000. The plan has also angered the residents of Cannon Road, not only because of the inconvenience of the planned construction but also because of permanent changes to their road frontage.

Cannon Road has a very narrow section at its southern edge, which includes an awkward hairpin turn on an incline, where it passes very close to three residences.

Mike and Jocelyn Steeves, the owners of one of those residences, have launched a protest against the plan.

“This is a really stupid idea,” said Mike Steeves, pointing at the road in front of their house. “The road is perched against the lake and a rock cut. There is nowhere to build, the whole thing won't work – it will be an accident waiting to happen, and they are going to cut right through our driveway to do it. We won't stand for this. We'll take them to court over this if we have to,” he said.

CAO Zimmerman said he has no intention of angering residents so early in his tenure at the township (he has only been on the job for one week) but that he has inherited responsibility for this project and is determined to make it happen this year, as stipulated in the provincial grant that is funding it.

“Under the Municipal Act we have the right to expropriate lands that are necessary to ensure the safe flow of traffic and goods. I hope we can come to some agreement with the people on Cannon Road, and my door is always open for them to come and discuss this with me, but if necessary we will do what we have to do,” he said.

Central Frontenac Mayor Frances Smith could not be reached for comment before press time.