Beach detour brings tiny town big traffic woes
Residents in the tiny community of Crediton are hoping those on their way to and from Grand Bend will slow down when they pass through.
Thanks to a construction detour, the hamlet in the municipality of South Huron is dealing a problem they never thought they’d see -- heavy traffic and speedy drivers.
“Weekends are unbelieveable,” said resident Brenda Martene, who lives on the main street. “It’s just like bumper to bumper to bumper of vehicles.”
She has placed signs on her lawn to warn drivers of children playing. She’s hoping drivers abide by the posted 50 km/h speed limit before someone gets hurt.
The onslaught of sun-seekers coming from the east is known to start on Thursdays. It ends only after they have headed home on Sundays. Martene is especially dreading the upcoming long holiday weekend.
“When they’re coming from the city they tend not to realize that this town is a 50 kilometre. And so by the time they reach us they’re flying.”
Henry Schoelier doesn’t live in the community but he comes every week to watch his grandchildren.
“I like to keep the kids safe you know. I can’t figure out why they can’t find another route to detour this construction, but I guess this is the only way.”
The source of the concerns is a few kilometres to the north. Traffic on Highway 83, one of the main east-west routes to and from Grand Bend, is being detoured because of bridge construction.
South Huron Councillor Diane Faubert says Huron County has taken steps to improve safety, including an electronic sign to indicate driver speeds and extra police presence.
“The biggest fear would be a child getting hit by a car,” she said.
Faubert said she worries the measures taken may still not be enough. She said it’s up to drivers to do their part.
“If there’s a fatality here, the family of that fatality are never going to get over it. The driver will never get over it. And the community will never get over it.”
Bridge construction is expected to last into October. Faubert said she hopes those bound for the ‘Bend will slow down or find another way.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'A step forward': New screening criteria for sperm donors takes effect
Canadians looking to grow their families with the assistance of sperm or egg donations should soon have more options for donors as the federal health agency does away with longstanding restrictions criticized as discriminatory.
What is whooping cough and should Canadians be concerned as Europe declares outbreak?
There is currently a whooping cough epidemic in Europe, with 10 times as many cases compared to the previous two years. While an outbreak has not been declared nationwide in Canada, whooping cough is regularly detected in the country.
Ontario Provincial Police arrest 64 suspects in child sexual exploitation investigation
Ontario Provincial Police say 64 suspects are facing a combined 348 charges in connection with a series of child sexual exploitation investigations that spanned the province.
'Summer of discontent': Federal unions vow to fight new 3-day a week office mandate
Federal unions are launching legal challenges and encouraging public sector workers to file "tens of thousands" of grievances over the new mandate requiring federal workers to return to the office at least three days a week in the fall.
Watch fighter jet pilots pummel fake enemy ship off coast of Philippines
The United States and Philippines held annual joint-training drills just off the Southeast Asian nation’s western coast on Wednesday. Military forces sunk a 'mock' enemy warship – the BRP Lake Caliraya, which was a decommissioned tanker made in China.
U.S. presidential candidate RFK Jr. had a brain worm, has recovered, campaign says
Independent U.S. presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. had a parasite in his head more than a decade ago, but has fully recovered, his campaign said, after the New York Times reported about the ailment.
'Ozempic babies': Reports of surprise pregnancies raise new questions about weight loss drugs
Numerous women have shared stories of 'Ozempic babies' on social media. But the joy some experience in discovering pregnancies may come with anxiety about the unknowns.
Rookie goalie Arturs Silovs to start for Canucks in Game 1 vs. Oilers
Rookie goalie Arturs Silovs will start in net for the Canucks as Vancouver kicks off a second-round series against the Edmonton Oilers Wednesday night.
OPINION What King Charles' schedule being too 'full' to accommodate son suggests
Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, has made headlines with his recent arrival in the U.K., this time to celebrate all things Invictus. But upon the prince landing in the U.K., we have already had confirmation that King Charles III won't have time to see his youngest son during his brief visit.