After a lengthy deliberation, Northern Bruce Peninsula council decided during their meeting Monday to move ahead with obtaining a detailed report on a formal road closure and multi-use trail business plan for Cabot Head Road.
Council was presented with four options for the road:
– Option 1: Full reconstruction and public vehicle access
– Option 2: Hybrid access model business plan
– Option 3: Formal road closure and multi-use trail business plan
– Option 4: Maintain existing closure business plan
In a 3-2 vote, council ultimately decided that Option 3 was the most financially responsible and flexible choice.
The formal road closure and multi-use trail business plan will cost an estimated $150,000 to $350,000 in capital expenditures, alongside annual operating costs of $95,000 to $180,000.
Mayor Milt McIver, who voted for Option 3, says another reason not to commit more money toward Cabot Head Road is that other roads where people live need to be serviced first.
Coun. Laurie (Smokey) Golden, who opposed Option 3, emphasized the historical importance of the road.
“This is an iconic piece of peninsula history,” says Golden. “There is no other piece of roadway going up that escarpment the same.”