Kincardine staff shared their findings of usage for the Mystic Cove gate.
From December 1st to February 29th, the gate was kept open for the winter season to allow for use as an alternate route for motorists during severe inclement weather events.
“For the most part, I think we did a really good job of respecting the folks that live on that street and having safe passage back and forth when required based on adverse weather,” says councillor Amanda Steinhoff-Grey. “I do think it’s something we should explore potentially increasing the duration just to catch those last-minute storms that I think hit every single year.”
Councillor Bill Stewart agreed, saying that he got caught in the last couple winter storms, saying “[It happened] twice in March that all of a sudden I was white-knuckling [the drive in] my car, thinking, ‘Wow, I wish the gate was open’.”
Included in the report, there were findings of the average speeds of motorists, with one person seen driving at 90 km/h, which concerned Steinhoff-Grey.
“That maximum speed on Victoria Street of 90 [kilometres per hour]… I found that really alarming given the lack of visibility because of all of the trees on the corners, and the number of kids on the road and the number of bus stops that are on that particular street,” she says. “I just found that disconcerting. I’m not sure how to slow down somebody who’s doing 90 kilometres on a road that has an average speed of 23 [kilometres per hour].”
During the period the gate was opened, the municipality received one concern which indicated the speed of motorists was an issue.
The report also included feedback from Bruce Power, as the alternate route was also used by employees during the winter months when the main road was closed.
The power company says that moving forward, the road would only be used by essential staff in the event of bad weather.
Council proposed that the gate be open from December 1, 2024 until March 31, 2025.
