The small township of North Algona Wilberforce is facing a major change at the heart of its community as the Ministry of Transportation of Ontario proposes alterations to the intersection at Highway 60 and Kokomis Road in Golden Lake.
The proposal would see the four-way intersection lose southbound access to Kokomis Road, turning it into a three-way intersection and creating a dead-end street. This change could have a significant impact on local businesses, such as The Cottage Cup, a popular coffee and cottage store that relies heavily on tourism traffic from Highway 60.
Owner Donaven Welk expressed concerns that losing direct access from the highway could result in a significant loss of business, potentially up to 60%. The nearby Golden Lake Variety and gas station is also at risk of closure to accommodate the construction.
The intersection serves as a vital access point for traffic to and from Pikwakanagan First Nation, and Chief Greg Sarazin highlighted the importance of the corridor for the community’s economic and safety concerns.
Despite the need for changes to improve safety at the intersection, Mayor James Brose raised concerns about the lack of transparency and consultation in the decision-making process. Feedback on the proposal is due by May 1, and Brose is advocating for more consultation to address the community’s concerns.
As the fate of the intersection hangs in the balance, residents and business owners in North Algona Wilberforce are left uncertain about the future of their community hub.