Woolwich Mayor Says Time Is Right for Long-Awaited Elmira Truck Detour Route

Community leaders want to ban large trucks from downtown Elmira.

“We want to attract people to the city centre and create a place where people can come together, which is difficult when there is a lot of heavy goods traffic on the streets,” said Sandy Shantz, Mayor of Woolwich.

According to her, a diversion route for trucks is the best option.

“Since I was first elected, I have been working with the county to create a bypass around Elmira,” Shantz explained.

There are already plans to redevelop Arthur Street, so the council feels it makes sense to also address the wider problem.

“I would very much like to see the region coordinate the rebuilding of our street with a possible study to look at what options we have to divert some of the heavy goods traffic into our town centre,” said Woolwich councillor Nathan Cadeau.

With no obvious diversion route, the municipality indicated that major roadworks would be needed to make this possible, which would fall on the shoulders of the Waterloo region.

The region says the project is on its radar, but there is no indication when – or if – the project will go ahead.

In a statement, they added: “The Region of Waterloo is currently working on an environmental impact statement and outlining next steps. As a result of this work, we hope to initiate public engagement on options to reduce truck traffic in downtown Elmira in the fall.”