Chris Thibert, Chatham-Kent Director, Engineering & Transportation, has provided an update on the closure of a section of Rose Beach Line between Rondeau Park and Morpeth.
The municipality announced the immediate full road closure of the roadway at South Marsh Creek (approximately 50m east of Antrim Road) on November 5, Thibert said.
Rose Beach Line will no longer be available as a through route between Morpeth and Rondeau.
While no detour route is posted for this road closure, the alternative route is Talbot Trail and Kent Bridge Road.
The slope/bank failure along Rose Beach Line is currently being evaluated through the Municipal Class Environmental Assessment (EA) process.
This EA process, which is being led through an Engineering Consultant retained through the municipality, evaluates various options to resolve the problem of road stability due to bank failures.
As part of the EA process, the final report which identifies the preferred option will be posted online for a 30-day comment and review period starting late November/early December.
Images pertaining to the slope failure will be contained within the EA document.
Once this period is over, the consultant will compile all comments and incorporate them into the final report (if/as required) which then becomes an official document with which the municipality can move forward.
Following this, the preferred option will be presented to council as a new project where council will have to financially prioritize amongst various other projects throughout the municipality.
The road closure was implemented as a result of this slope failure and in the interest of public safety.
All properties in proximity to this road closure will still receive the same level of service with respect to snow clearing and garbage collection.
All emergency services and schools were notified of this closure well in advance to ensure they prepare alternate routes accordingly.
At this time, there is no set timeline to when the road will be reopened as this project will be subject to council approval and funding.
