Orillia Council has adopted a motion by Ward 2 Councillor Pete Bowen to ask the Ministry of Transport to make sure any animal habitat corridor under the new Highway 12 by pass bridge is wide enough.
His proposal is to have the width of the corridor be a minimum 8 meters which would allow room for recreational activity and also encourage wildlife to use the tunnel as a way to cross under the highway.
Bowen says since this is a new project, they should ensure that the construction of the corridor is done properly the first time around.
He says this is especially important because the highway could be expanded from four lanes to six in the future.
Bowen says the MTO is expected to go to tender with the Bridge replacement project some time next month, so it was essential Council get its request in before that happens.
