This article was previously published on GuelphToday and EloraFergusToday.
PUSLINCH – The township is considering closing a popular Highway 6 access point in the hopes it will improve safety and traffic in the area.
Following a suggestion from councillor Jessica Goyda at a Puslinch council meeting Wednesday morning, township staff are investigating whether to close Concession One where it intersects Highway 6.
Goyda said the closure is intended to force drivers to take the Leslie Road intersection instead and improve traffic flow and safety.
"It would probably involve building a cul de sac there which isn't there now," said Goyda.
Mayor James Seeley asked what the most economical option is to close the road and whether it would interfere with road reconstruction planned in the area. He also suggested staff get the collision data for that road section as he's familiar with several that have occurred.
Director of public works Mike Fowler said a cul de sac that allows for a large truck turning around would be ideal as they would still be required to plow that section of road.
Fowler also recommended pausing the paving of Concession One to Highway 6, where the road "v's" until a later date as he believes the road conditions will hold up for another couple of years until the stop-up bylaw is created- suggesting it could be a 2026 capital works project.
"Any longer, I would recommend that short stretch that leads to the top of the hill be paved," said Fowler.
Staff will also consider additional factors including costs, affected property owners, emergency services and what signage to put in place to stop people from using it.
Isabel Buckmaster is the Local Journalism Initiative reporter for GuelphToday. LJI is a federally-funded program.
