A Second Access Point for Scugog Island Is in the Planning Stages

COURTNEY McCLURE, The Standard

SCUGOG: The Township of Scugog is working on a second access point to Scugog Island.

The Public Works and Infrastructure department is responsible for the project, with the director, Carol Coleman, working as the project manager.

A Class Environmental Assessment (Class EA) was completed in 2007. However, there have been many changes and updates since then.

There are about six possible routes listed in the presentation, which was presented to the council by Director Coleman, on July 18th, 2022.

A Notice of Study Commencement was issued in 2019. Updated traffic analysis has been completed as well as an updated Natural Environment Report (EA).

According to the Township of Scugog, the ‘preferred solution’ for this project is to build two new road links to create a secondary access point to Scugog Island. The southern half of the link will be located off Highway 7A to Head Road. And the northern half will come off Ma Browns Road to Pine Point Road.

A few changes have also been identified since the original EA was completed in 2007. There has been a change in land use for 2525 Ma Browns Road.

“The Second Access for Scugog Island provides an important connection for residents, including; Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation community members, business owners, visitors and emergency services, as it will provide an alternative route when there are road closures on Island Road,” explained Ms. Coleman. “As higher volumes of traffic occur on Scugog Island, the risk of road closures will increase, and the second access will become even more important.”

The department has been meeting with property owners who will be affected by the construction.

According to Ms. Coleman, the team has provided and will continue to provide up-to-date information to affected property owners as the planning continues.

“The general consensus from those we have spoken with is, they support the need for the project,” said Ms. Coleman.

As for the next steps, there will be an information session available online until August 31st, 2022, providing a chance to give comments and concerns about the development.

For more information about this project, you can contact director Coleman by email, at Ccoleman@scugog.ca, or at 905-985-7346, extension 120.

An information page will also be uploaded onto the Township of Scugog website by the end of July 2022.

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