Council trying to solve Big Bay Point traffic problems
By Chris Simon

Big Bay Point residents may get some traffic relief next year.

A town committee passed a plan to place a four way traffic stop at the Big Bay Point Road and 30th Sideroad intersection, and prohibit parking along the 30th between Nov. 1 and April 30, during a recent meeting. If passed by town council, the plan will hopefully alleviate traffic concerns in the area, said councillor Dan Davidson.

Over the last few years, the area has seen a significant rise in traffic volumes, something that has created speeding and safety issues, he said.

"There's nothing to slow anybody down, this is a real concern for the community. We have a lot of seniors on Big Bay Point who are finding it difficult to get in and out of that area," said Davidson. "I would like to see a community caution zone (designated) by use of the four way stop."

Currently, parking is prohibited around the intersection, due mostly to concerns over emergency vehicle accessibility during the winter months. However, parking during the summer will allow users of Lake Simcoe, and the nearby convenience store and golf course to find easy parking spaces in the area, said Davidson.

"That is our main intersection on Big Bay Point with the dock and golf club," he said. "When the no parking signs were put up from approximately the 30th Sideroad east along lakeshore, up Lakeside and back again along the 30th, it was all done at once. If we were to do this in another community like Cookstown or Alcona, where the centre of their community is, and no parking was put in the entire area, you'd have a bit of a backlash.

"The parking that has been going on in front of the golf course has been going on since the time it was built. There never seems to have been a problem."

However, mayor Brian Jackson says parking was prohibited as a response to the concerns of local residents.

"It was done in response to residents down there to make it no parking," he said. "It seemed to deal with ice fishermen as well. It seemed to be a problem because buses and emergency vehicles couldn't get through."

Davidson says ice fishermen will still be able to park in a designated zone along the lakeshore.