Manitoulin Island community looks to calm traffic, make community safer

Big changes for traffic, travel in Gore Bay Town of Gore Bay on Manitoulin Island says it has passed two new bylaws to calm traffic and make the community safer. Ian Campbell has more.

Big changes are being made for travellers and traffic in the Town of Gore Bay on Manitoulin Island as the township has passed new bylaws.

The town council has opted to reduce the community’s speed limit to 40 km/h throughout the entire town unless otherwise posted.

A second new bylaw will also see heavy trucks no longer be permitted to drive through the downtown business section of the town. All truckers and heavy vehicles will have to use a designated truck route.

"I think that this, this along with the other things that we're doing in Gore Bay is improving the community,” said acting town manager Michael Lalonde.

“I think the community is embracing it and seeing it as a positive change for the community in the safety and spirit of the community."

The speed limit changes came into effect on Friday with the heavy trucks bylaw coming into effect on Sunday, May 19.

The Town of Gore Bay is located on the north shore of Manitoulin Island and has a local population of about 900 people.