Rehabilitation Work Begins on Saugeen Beach Road
The Town’s investment in its waterfront continues as crews begin to rehabilitate Saugeen Beach Road this week. The work is designed to provide a safe and reliable road surface while protecting the integrity of the natural beach as much as possible.
The Town has undertaken the project with significant input from residents, who were concerned about the road withstanding high water events, as well as providing more space for beach users.
The project consists of reinstating asphalt & road-base as well as installing armor stone protection. The design will mimic natural storm water runoff as much as possible, while minimizing water ponding and beach erosion that would occur if a traditional storm water pipe had been used.
The project also eliminates parking on the beach, allowing for more towel space for beach users. The transition area from the road to the beach will include a rope-and-post design to separate traffic from pedestrians, along with wooden walkways and dune grass. These amenities will make the beach more pedestrian-friendly while minimizing the amount of sand that migrates onto the road.
“This is an important project that restores an important road in our community,” said Mayor Luke Charbonneau. “This work will make the road safer for both drivers and beach users, while helping to preserve the beach itself. By engaging residents, we have found a long-term solution.”
The Town has provided notice to residents that crews may close the road to through traffic; however, residents will still have vehicular access. The work is expected to last until mid-December.