Public Works director Larry McGregor advised Shelburne council Monday night that the provincial government has agreed to conduct, and share the cost of, a traffic study aimed at determining the need for a town bypass.

According to a letter of agreement, the Ministry of Transportation will undertake and administer the process, retaining a consultant to carry out the study and submit an executive summary "identifying the proponent of a future bypass of the Town of Shelburne."

(In past, a major issue has been whether the traffic bypass should be a municipal or provincial roadway.)

Mr. McGregor said the study, which will involve monitoring traffic at four locations, has a projected cost of about $162,000.

Shelburne and the MTO are to share the cost of the study equally, although the town's contribution is limited to $81,000.

The timing of the study has not been determined but the study will involve traffic counts in two different periods.

"Most likely one count will be done in the spring and one in the fall," said Mr. McGregor.

Having recognized the need for a bypass for a number of years, Shelburne council has been consistently asking for the province's help but in the past was turned down.

A face-to-face meeting in August with Transportation Minister Donna Cansfield was the catalyst for change.

Council was anticipating the news it has now received after a delegation from Shelburne went to Ottawa for the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) convention and obtained a meeting with Minister Cansfield to discuss the bypass.

In September, Councillor Walter Benotto said of the meeting: "It was interesting. She said she knew our situation first-hand because she has a place in Proton and was willing to move ahead with things."