Construction will begin soon to upgrade First Street in Collingwood. Collus Executive Director Ed Houghton says work will include the widening of First/Huron Street to add a continous left turn lane to help keep the traffic moving along the busy roadway. In addition, curb and gutter replacement will take place, traffic signals will be installed at the intersections of Spruce Street and Heritage Way, and traffic signals will be replaced at the intersections of High Street, Cedar Street and Pine Street.

Collingwood Council discussed First Street upgrades while approving the 8.8 million dollar tender on Monday, May 25th. The province of Ontario will pay approximately 60 percent of the total 8.8 million dollar figure.

Councilor Sonny Foley voted against the project while other councilors once again expressed concern over possible safety issues.

Safety was a big concern when First Street upgrades were up for discussion around the council table in January. At that time, Councilor Sonny Foley stated that moving forward with the five lane design represented one of the worst things that council could have possibly done for the community. Foley was worried that the five lane design, without traffic islands, represented a safety risk to pedestrians. At that time, Councilor Foley reminded everyone that the town's active transportation policy was designed to put pedestrians first, saying that the five lane First Street plan fell far short of living up to the intent of the policy.

During the planning process, Collingwood Mayor Chris Carrier and Collus Executive Director Ed Houghton had met with Ministry of Transportation officials to discuss the future of First Street. The Ministry of Transportation had earlier turned down Collingwood's plan to build pedestrian friendly traffic islands.

In January, Councilor Ian Chadwick voted in favour of the five lane design while Councilors Kathy Jeffery and Norm Sandberg voted for the project to move forward but stated that they remain against the proposed design. Councilor Sandberg went so far as to say that the town deserves a better plan.

On Monday night (May 25th) Councilor Foley was once again voicing his concern about the safety of the five lane design, saying that experts refer to the turning lane as being a "suicide lane."

A public information session will be held in the Council Chambers at the Town Hall on Wednesday June 3rd from 9am until 11am.