Grey County is moving ahead with $820,000 in improvements for Grey Road 17B through Nicol’s Gully.
During its committee of the whole meeting Thursday, county council approved a simple reconstruction of the road just west of Owen Sound — which will include the replacement of the road and gutters — and turned down a staff recommendation to spend more than $3.05-million to construct a new cycling and pedestrian trail as well.
Owen Sound Deputy Mayor and Grey County Coun. Scott Greig raised concerns about cost and winter maintenance for a new pedestrian path.
“We are underestimating the significance of how difficult it is to maintain a level of service,” Greig says. “In actuality, you get … snow over four months of the year, people will not be using that trail because you cannot maintain it fast enough.”
He then moved the motion to pursue a simple road replacement project, without making any changes to the overall design.
“I think that’s what we should be looking at. I think it’s what we can afford, in relationship to all the needs before the county,” Greig says. “We are certainly underfunded. We’re all aware of that.”
Georgian Bluffs Mayor and County Councillor Sue Carleton: “I have to admit I am conflicted on this one because I would love to see the trails going through there, as a safety issue for the people that use that road.”
The stretch of Grey Road 17B to be replaced is from Somers Street to 10th Street West (Highway 21).