Lake of Bays seek District investigation into the safety at Echo Lake Road intersection
Lake of Bays Council agreed to request the District of Muskoka investigate the safety of an intersection at Echo Lake Road, in the January 14, 2025, meeting.
The Echo Lake Association (ELA) presented concerns to Council as a result of their General Meeting last August. Association members agreed to request a 3-way stop sign at Echo Lake Road and Hammond Road.
Association representative, Cheryl Francis, expressed concerns about the high traffic and speeding risks in this area where visibility isn’t clear. She said that given the gravel pit on Echo Lake Road there are a high volume of dump trucks and construction vehicles, like concrete mixers and heavy machinery haulers, that travel at high speeds causing concerns with ELA members.
She reiterated one of the ELA’s members concerns, saying, “Its only a matter of time before there is a serious accident collision at that location; there have already been some close calls over the past few years. If one is driving along Echo Lake Road to turn onto Hammond Road, it is very difficult to see oncoming traffic coming down the hill from Ril Lake area, partly because of the bend in the road but mostly because of vegetation obscuring the sight lines.”
They continue, “Accident liability would fall primarily with the District and partly with the Township. Any liability to the driver(s) involved would be negligible.”
They suggested that clearing vegetation is an option, however, would be costly due to ongoing maintenance to continue to provide improved visibility. Therefore, they urged, “The safest option would be to install a 3-way Stop there – that will also help to deal with the one-lane issue as well.”
Their request is to change the intersection from having only one stop sign on Hammond Road, to an additional one on Echo Lake Road heading east, and another heading west.
Property owner on Echo Lake, Dinesh Kishani, concurred about the lack of safety on the road due to the vegetation impairing visibility. He said, “You can’t see the road until you’re there,” and expressed concern about the “close calls,” coming down the slope.
Council members agreed about the issue, with some of them having seen it while driving in the area.
Councillor, Nancy Tapley, referred to the new stop sign solution as a “simple fix.”
They agreed to request that the District investigate the area and make recommendations for necessary action.
