Changes to Glace Bay street will create more downtown parking, says councillor

Exciting Changes Coming to Downtown Glace Bay

Exciting changes are on the horizon for downtown Glace Bay, Nova Scotia, as plans are underway to improve traffic flow and create more parking spaces along Commercial Street. Cape Breton regional councillor, Dave MacKeigan, has announced that the curb extensions, also known as bump-outs, will be removed to benefit the area’s businesses.

For years, MacKeigan has been advocating for the removal of the three bump-outs, citing them as obstacles to traffic flow and unnecessary additions to the street. These curb extensions have limited the number of on-street parking spots available for visitors to the shops, services, and restaurants in the area.

By removing the bump-outs, MacKeigan believes that the risk of accidents caused by vehicles parking around the extensions and obstructing traffic will be eliminated. This change will also make way for as many as 11 new parking spots, including designated disabled parking spaces.

“The businesses in downtown Glace Bay are facing challenges, and they need all the support they can get. I believe that this change will be a significant help for them,” stated MacKeigan, who represents District 9 on CBRM council.

One business eagerly anticipating the additional parking spaces is Vintage Jewellers Limited. Co-owners Camille McMullin and Jovita Hynes shared that many of their customers struggle to find parking in front of their store, impacting their business negatively. They are hopeful that the increase in parking availability will attract more customers to their shop.

Commercial Street currently operates as a one-way street, but Hynes believes that converting it into a two-way street could further boost business for downtown establishments. MacKeigan supports this idea and hopes to see changes to the traffic flow in the area.

The removal of the curb extensions is scheduled to begin in the coming weeks, led by Public Works. While the exact cost of the removal is unknown, it has been accounted for in the budget set aside for this project.

As downtown Glace Bay prepares for these enhancements, the community looks forward to the positive impact they will have on local businesses and visitors alike.