A section of Fleury Road (Township Road 372) on the eastern edge of the RM of Corman Park near the boundary with the RM of Aberdeen that was closed about two decades ago is still being used as a shortcut by some area residents.
“There are ‘Road Closed’ signs and barricades, but people are just driving around them,” said Corman Park Division 1 Councillor John Germs. “It’s dangerous, because that’s a very deep slough and it’s not a safe road. It’s been pretty much underwater for 20 years.”
The road was closed by the RM of Corman Park about 20 years ago. Signs and barricades were posted at that time.
However, the RM’s official landowners map was never updated to indicate the road was closed. That oversight is now being corrected.
Corman Park council voted at its meeting on Monday, October 23 to confirm the road is closed, and directed its public works department to implement measures aimed at preventing drivers from using the informal trail that still runs along the road allowance through the slough.
In wet years, there can be as much as five or six feet of water in the slough, completely submerging the trail, according to Germs.
Even during dry years, the slough generally has water, and the trail is extremely soft.
Corman Park Reeve Judy Harwood said some of the options available to the RM to discourage drivers from using the trail include fencing, additional signage, jersey barriers and physically cutting the road.
She added the additional measures would ensure the RM was not held liable for damages or injuries to anyone using the trail in spite of the posted warnings.
Corman Park Division 8 Councillor Wendy Trask said upgrading the road allowance to modern roadbed standards was not a realistic option.
A motion to confirm the permanent closure of the road was passed at the October 23 council meeting.