October 15, 2026
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The Municipality of Kincardine is calling on the Province of Ontario to take immediate action to improve road safety along Highway 21, particularly in the area of Kincardine Township-Tiverton Public School (KTTPS), following a serious, four-vehicle crash in that area, Tuesday afternoon (Oct. 13).
A press release, issued Thursday by the municipality, states that council has advocated for safety improvements along this section of Highway 21 for several years through council resolutions, traffic study reviews and ongoing discussions with the Ministry of Transportation of Ontario (MTO) and other partners.
A third-party traffic study supported the need for a northbound left-turn lane at KTTPS, but the MTO indicated construction would be considered as part of its regular 10- to 15-year highway rehabilitation cycle.
The municipality also pursued a speed limit reduction between Bruce Avenue and the Northline, which was not supported by the MTO. These efforts helped advance the Community Safety Zone application, but council continues to advocate for further improvements.
At the council meeting Wednesday night (Oct. 14), a motion was approved, directing staff to formally request that the province reconsider its decisions regarding safety improvements along Highway 21, recognizing the importance of protecting local families, students and motorists who travel this busy corridor every day.
Specifically, council is requesting two priority actions:
An immediate reduction in the posted speed limit on Highway 21 between Bruce Avenue and the Northline to improve safety for motorists and families travelling through the area.
Accelerated construction of a northbound left-turn lane at KTTPS as a stand-alone road safety improvement, rather than waiting for the MTO's regular 10- to 15-year highway rehabilitation cycle.
Council's motion emphasizes that these improvements should not be delayed as part of longer-term highway rehabilitation planning, given the importance of addressing safety concerns immediately.
“Families in our community travel this stretch of Highway 21 every day, including parents bringing their children to and from school,” said mayor Kenneth Craig. “Their safety must be a priority. We are asking the province to recognize the importance of these improvements and take action now, rather than waiting years for the next scheduled highway rehabilitation project.”
The municipality recognizes that Highway 21 is a provincial highway and that decisions regarding speed limits and roadway improvements fall under the authority of the MTO. Through this motion, council is reinforcing its commitment to advocating for road safety improvements that respond to the needs of the local community.
To reinforce the importance of this request, council has directed that its motion be shared with Ontario premier Doug Ford, Huron-Bruce MPP Lisa Thompson, Huron-Bruce MP Ben Lobb, the Ontario ministers of transportation, education, municipal affairs and housing, finance, and energy, as well as Bruce County, MTO West Operations regional director Geoffry Gladdy, and South Bruce OPP inspector Keegan Wilcox.
The municipality will continue to advocate for timely, practical safety improvements along Highway 21 and work with provincial partners to advance solutions that protect residents, students and everyone travelling through the community.
Meanwhile, Kincardine councillor Rory Cavanagh posted a notice on social media that after the council meeting, he spoke with Huron-Bruce MPP Lisa Thompson who has supported these safety measures from the start; she wrote a letter backing them in 2023.
"I've also heard from residents that premier Doug Ford has been in touch with people who messaged him directly," stated Cavanagh. "I was told the province will be moving forward with a speed reduction on Highway 21, and that the northbound left-turn lane at KTTPS will be designed.
"Our message was heard.
"This is good news, but it isn't done until it's on the ground. We are now waiting for the province to:
Implement the speed reduction on Highway 21 from the Northline to Bruce Avenue. That stretch protects students at KTTPS, Huron Heights Public School, St. Anthony's School, and the site of the new high school.
Design and install the northbound left-turn lane at KTTPS. A design on paper doesn't make anyone safer; the lane needs to be built.
"I'll keep following up until both are in place, and I'll keep you updated along the way. In the meantime, we should all slow down on Highway 21, especially near our schools.
"Please keep the people hurt in Tuesday's crash, and their families, in your thoughts."
Written ByLiz Dadson is the founder and editor of the Kincardine Record and has been in the news business since 1986.
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