More than 130 interested persons gathered on Sunday March 30 in the Port Rowan Community Centre to hear and see the recommendations for improving the Long Point Causeway (50 megabyte file). Some year and half ago, a Steering Committee was formed from representatives of a diverse group of local and national organizations to lead a Long Point Causeway Improvement Feasibility study. The study’s intent was to develop practical solutions to wildlife road mortality and improve the connectivity of water and wildlife movement between the Big Creek marsh and the Inner Long Point Bay.

The Long Point World Biosphere Reserve Foundation agreed to assume the financial and organizational responsibilities for the Steering Committee as concerns about the wildlife mortality dovetailed with the Biosphere’s Purpose. A team of Ecologists, Environmental Planners, Water Resource managers and Civil Engineers from Ecoplans Limited and McCormick Rankin Corporation were retained by the Biosphere to prepare a plan of possible future improvements including short and long-term recommendations.

Visitors to the March 30 Open House were greeted by a number of posters outlining the recommendations and a pictorial map of the Causeway that outlined the recommended changes. A verbal presentation was made by Geoff Gartshore (leader of the Ecoplans team) using the Causeway map followed by an opportunity to ask questions. In addition to feedback through these questions, each participant received a questionnaire that solicited comments and suggestions. Ecoplans will study these suggestions for future direction.

Here's a great aerial photograph of the Long Point Causeway.

See more pictures and maps by clicking the "read more" link below.

Originally, there were four bridges along the causeway. The first one was over a small creek not far from the mainland. The next bridge over the Port Royal Ship Canal – a grand name for a channel dug through the marsh to allow the transport of logs to the bay. There was also a bridge south of the old Hamilton Big Creek Hunt Club (now the Canadian Wildlife Service buildings) and lastly a large bridge over the historic outflow of Big Creek, across from the Sandboy Marina. Only the Ship Channel (what everyone now calls Big Creek) remains.

On average, nearly 2300 car trips are made across the causeway every day between April and October (2005 data). Four times this number of cars crosses the causeway on summer weekends.

Here's an excellent article by Paul Ashley, a biologist with the Canadian Wildlife Service. It gives the history of the Long Point causeway and considers what can be done to improve it.