Bowmanville is rapidly expanding as the largest community in Clarington, with endless construction.

A formerly quiet town, we seem to be taking open space for granted, with addition after addition to our new businesses and houses. Unfortunately, the infrastructure is not being treated with the same importance.

As various corporations such as Home Depot open their doors to Bowmanville, houses are being built to accommodate the new residents who flock here as it grows. With the new residents come new cars, adding to the intense traffic I encounter every day on Liberty Street on my way to school, turning a five-minute drive into a 15-minute one.

Bowmanville has now acquired its own “rush hour” -- something that previously existed only in large cities. However, anyone who has visited Liberty Street or King Street in the morning or evening has undoubtedly experienced a traffic jam or two. It seems we have painted ourselves into a corner: Bowmanville has been expanding at a steady rate for many years, yet traffic has not become an issue until recently.

We are building continuously in the north and south areas of town, yet lack consideration for the major north/south roads such as Liberty and Scugog streets. It is evident that there is available land in these areas, but just because land is available does not mean it must be occupied. The new buildings and areas of Bowmanville, because of their location, are largely only accessible through the already filled north/south streets. Building in the east and west areas of Bowmanville would force some traffic to be diverted to the opposite ends of the town, partially relieving Liberty and Scugog.

If, after all the traffic jams and road rage we are still intent on building, why not erect an area that attracts foot traffic as opposed to vehicular traffic? Building high-end and popular companies such as Shoppers Drug Mart and Wal-Mart boosts our economy through new employment and appeals to new residents and property tax doesn’t hurt either. We reap no property tax from a park. However, it is esthetically appealing and would help maintain Bowmanville’s ideal image of a picturesque small town. In addition, it never hurts to plant a tree.

With the construction of the continuation of Longworth Avenue being prolonged, it is debatable whether the roads of Bowmanville will be able to balance our steadily increasing population and the density they bring to our infrastructure in their current state. Aside from Longworth Avenue, there are no or few noticeable changes being made to the roads or any new roads being built. At least they would provide a way to alleviate some of the traffic volume that has become a regularity on the streets of Bowmanville simply because we have no way of expanding our roads.

Understandably, Bowmanville has had its hands full with embracing its development while trying to maintain its small-town feel in a town that is not so small anymore. The Business Improvement Area (BIA) has done an amazing job preserving its small-town appeal through the festivals and community events that have become tradition for many residents who have lived in Bowmanville their entire lives.

I am not against the new developments Bowmanville has experienced over the last few years and am truly proud that our spirited little town is gaining recognition and respect.

I only harbour the sincere hope that Bowmanville will be more cautious with its building permits in the future. We are, without a doubt, experiencing some growing pains and if our construction continues at its present rate without insight into the infrastructure, we will literally have nowhere to go but south.