PUSLINCH – Councillors here hope Wellington County will take over ownership and responsibility for Concession 7 and McLean Road West once the Ministry of Transportation completes a new interchange on the Hanlon Expressway, but currently the county is willing to take on just Concession 7.
Puslinch council discussed the matter at its meeting on Nov. 3.
The ministry is closing the at-grade intersections at Maltby Road and Sideroad 34 at the Hanlon and constructing a new off-ramp it refers to as the Highway 6/Hanlon Expressway mid-block interchange.
Officials say the new interchange will improve safety and capacity on the Hanlon – improvements that are necessary before the ministry can begin work on the Highway 6 bypass around Morriston.
CAO Glenn Schwendinger said the ministry provided an agreement between it and the township for the duration of the construction phase, but township staff found it is not sufficient.
He also said the county is generally supportive of conveying Concession 7 to the county when the work is complete.
“The primary reason for this is once the mid-block interchange is completed and operational, the traffic levels and service/maintenance requirements will be at a level that exceed the township’s ability to provide service and is more in line with the county road system,” Schwendinger states in his report.
But councillor Matthew Bulmer said the county should also assume responsibility for McLean Road West, which joins with Concession 7 at one end and meets up with Wellington Road 46, also known as Brock Road, at the other.
It’s a busy stretch of road with access to most of the gravel pits in the township. And because of aggregate haulers, it’s a stretch of road that gets quite a bit of wear and tear.
“It would connect our industrial park with the new interchange and Guelph’s industrial park,” Bulmer said.
The intersection of Concession 7 and Wellington Road 34 already belongs to the county and the county is proposing a roundabout when the work is complete.
“If the county wants a roundabout, it makes sense that it becomes a county road,” said councillor Sarah Bailey.
It will be many years before these kinds of details need to be finalized, Mayor James Seeley reminded council, as this is a multi-year project, although some work is expected to begin next spring.
“Let’s leave it to staff for now,” Seeley said. “We have plenty of time.”
