RESTORE COOTES

Usually, standing on the median between the northbound/southbound lanes of Cootes Drive would be an unnerving experience, due to the high speed traffic clocking in at 80km/hour and more. But during construction, the closure of the southbound lane of Cootes Drive (see video) has calmed traffic speeds and made the road quieter and safer. With Spencer Creek and ponds to the left of the road, and Cootes Paradise Nature Sanctuary wetlands to the right, the inhabitants of the natural environment fare poorly when forced to interact with traffic. The huge distance between the shoulders of the road are a major barrier for amphibian and other wetland species, including species at risk like Cootes Paradise's turtle population. When the road was built in 1936-37, it was built as an example of the new modern highway design: divided lanes with a grassy median, easy curves and low grades. These innovations were achieved in this instance by removing hills and then using the soil to fill i...

Student struck by car on Cootes Drive path Parent calls on city to prevent further accidents Craig Campbell,Published on May 02, 2008 A Dundas father is calling for safety improvements between Cootes Drive and the paved trail next to it after his daughter, a 22-year-old McMaster University student, was struck by a car while walking the family dog two weeks ago. Malcolm Skingley said his daughter, Jennifer, suffered a concussion and neck injuries. She must go back to the hospital for further tests and rehabilitation. Ten days after the accident, Jennifer was still suffering headaches, her father said Tuesday. "I see a lot of people, seniors and people with children, walking on that path," Mr. Skingley said. "But there are no signs or safety barriers to keep cars off the path." He believes the city should be pressured into making safety improvements between Cootes Drive and the pave...