Options presented for Cookstown by-pass
by Michelle Minnoch

(above) Map shows possible by-pass routes north and south of Hwy. 89. (left) Residents show their interest and ask questions at the open house. photos by Michelle Minnoch

A public open house was held in Cookstown on Thursday regarding the Highway 89 corridor between Hwy 400 and Rosemont.

"There's a lot of public support for a by-pass," said Will MacKenzie, Information Officer for the Ministry of Transportation. "What we can start looking at now is the best option for a by-pass."

Transportation issues facing the Hwy 89 corridor include; the congestion on the two lanes from west of Alliston to Hwy 400; the large volume of trucks and employment transportation to and from Alliston; constraints in Cookstown and Alliston due to historic development and on street parking; the increased demand for residential land in the Cookstown area to serve the Barrie area and the GTA.

In regards to a by-pass of Cookstown, it could be located north or south of the village; the possibility of a by-pass north of Hwy 89 could not only include a new east west connect, but a new interchange at Hwy 400.

"We have to look at all of the ramifications and costs," said MacKenzie, who added it is a policy of the Ministry to have a minimum distance of 2 km between interchanges.

"It is a normal practice for us to follow lot lines," he said. "It will be in the next stage, after this public consultation, where we would look at what property owners would be affected by the possibility of a by-pass. That's why we need as much public input as possible."

MacKenzie said Alliston is a different situation and a larger community. The Ministry may have to include local operational improvements, including intersection improvements, different light standard timing, and improvements to Industrial Parkway.

There will also have to be consultation with the municipalities involved.

"We don't know how this could affect their Official Plans."

The Ministry of Transport completed a Corridor Assessment Study of Hwy 89 in September 2001, and the Simcoe Area

Transportation Network Needs Assessment Study in June 2002.

In April 2004, the Ministry of Transportation committed to developing a plan for transportation improvements to the area. In early 2007, the

Ministry will respond from comments and present their findings of the Business Assessment in Cookstown, review corridor alternatives, present the preferred improvement strategy and present the study area for the future EA.