Sad welcome mat

Brian McKinstry | Mar 23, 2022

Traffic traversing the access road to Arden from Highway 7 are faced with a pot-holed and rutted adventure that is not found either north or south of the hamlet. The lack of upgrading from Highway 7 to Arden seems bizarre, particularly given the upsurge in traffic through the village due to increased usage of recreational properties in the area, additional ongoing construction of both permanent and seasonal residences, and the addition of a country store/gas bar on the edge of the village.

More puzzling is the recent upgrading of Henderson Road and the road south to Tamworth that have significantly improved the driving experience in these directions, while ignoring the village itself. Paradoxically, these improvements have only increased the traffic flow through the village.

With the recent upgrading of roads in the village of Sharbot Lake and the afore-mentioned Henderson and Tamworth roads, there is clearly provincial grant monies forthcoming for infrastructure improvements.

The current situation is frankly disgraceful and does in no way enhance the message that Central Frontenac is a place to explore and enjoy.

Doing nothing or placing any action under future consideration should not be an option and I urge council to consider submitting an application to provincial authorities for grant money that addresses this pressing issue this year. An immediate step might be placing a traffic flow meter between Highway 7 and Arden that may provide key data for the application.

Brian McKinstry