By Cecilia Nasmith
The experiment at the Esplanade that Cobourg council began last April was adopted as a permanent measure at Monday's committee-of-the-whole meeting.
Accordingly, the Esplanade that runs between the harbour and the harbourfront condominiums will be made permanently a one-way route, travelling west-to-east.
It was originally a four-month experiment over the summer season to address concerns condominium residents expressed with safety – drivers travelling too fast for a residential area, and out-of-towners admiring the beauty of the harbour and paying too little attention to pedestrians.
The results were positive, according to director of public works Laurie Wills's report, and the one-way designation will continue – though one item remains to be done.
Two parking lots can be accessed off the Esplanade, one bordering Division Street and one bordering Third Street. At the beginning of the summer season, an access to the easterly parking lot was created off Division, and now an access to the westerly parking lot should be created off Third.
Wills estimates a cost of $6,000 for this project, to be funded from the parking reserve and carried out by the public works department.
“There is one tree to be relocated as part of these works, and staff will consult with the town's arborist to ensure the appropriate action,” the report said.
Councillor Brian Darling pointed out that this will also eliminate two parking spots on Third Street, but Wills said they could be relocated elsewhere.
