Council requesting Ministry expedite traffic studies
by Michelle Minnoch

Due to health and safety concerns of Cookstown residents, council passed a motion Wednesday night to request the Ministry of Transportation expedite the study for an alternate route of Hwy 89 and 27.

"This is not the first time we've contacted the province," remarked Councilor Dollin.

She said a public meeting was supposed to be held for the residents in June, but she heard they are now looking at a date in September.

"This particular study is slow," she said.

The County of Simcoe traffic study found 6800 vehicles compile the AADT (Average Annual Daily Traffic) north of Cookstown, 5300 south of Cookstown, and 17,000 vehicles through the village daily. The numbers are expected to increase with the opening of the new Honda engine plant to be built upon the existing plant in Alliston.

Dollin said both the mayor of Alliston and the deputy mayor of Essa have been very co-operative about her concerns.