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Niagara to GTAProvince to decide fate of Mid-Pen Highwaya new connection to Hwycorridor timeline. 401 wouldContinued from page 1require widening the existing corridorWe can't stop the Province fromQueen's Park, which earlier this June 2001: the Province released the Niagara Peninsulayear through the escarpment area.doing their work. We have towTransportation Needs Assessment Study and proposed theithdrew the new corridor provision The study says a 407 connection pro-construction of a new highway to connect Fort Erie withfrom Haltons Official Plan. remain diligent in participating in vides a more direct connection and wouldthe GTA. The Region and the City of Burlington said theThe result is different than 2001. I the process as we go forward.divert twice as much traffic off Hwy. 403study did not examine enough alternative options otherattribute that to the economic reality of than a Hwy. 401 connection.than a new highway.the times and the places to grow legisla-Mitch Zamojc, Halton RegionFrom a community perspective, theJune 2003:the Province agreed to take on a full envi-tion that put the economy ahead of high-Commissioner of Public Worksimpacts of both options are anticipated towronmental assessment and look at highway alternatives.ay building, he said. I like the com-be similar with regard to potentialmitment to not December 2006: the first phase of the Niagara GTAhaving a new super impacts to rural communities and agri-Corridor environmental study began. The study examinedhighway through the Region of Halton. cultural lands. options: one that connects Hwy. 403 in Wlong-term transportation problems and opportunities tohether the government acknowledges During the meeting, councillors raisedAncaster to Hwy. 401 west of Milton and 2031.that or not, I dont know. But we have a concerns that, although a new Haltonone that connects Hwy. 403 to Hwy. 407 October 2010: the Ministry of Municipal Affairs andvision of our community that does not highway has been removed the Regionsclose to Walkers Line in Burlington.Housing issued a proposed draft decision on ROPA 38,include a new highway.Official Plan (ROPA 38), theres no guar-From an environmental perspective, which included the insertion of a new Provincial highwayThe Mid-Pen study shows the Province antee the Province is not moving forwardthe study states a connection to the 407 wcrossing the escarpment in Burlington.ill take a building blocks approach to with it.ETR requires crossing the Niagara December 2010:a public meeting organized myaddress transportation issues in the area. We cant stop the Province fromEscarpment, which is considered to be a Bmembers of regional council and attended by 800 peopleefore widening existing corridors doing their work, responded Mitchsignificant environmental impact.expressed strong opposition to an escarpment highwayand a new highway is considered, the Zamojc, commissioner of public works.However, the study reports the density and called on the Province to remove the highway provi-Province will look to first improve and We have to remain diligent in participat-and distribution of the natural features sion from ROPA 38. Following the December meeting, aexpand transit, which includes rapid ing in the process as we go forward. Butallows for opportunities to avoid or miti-group of 12 community and environmental organizationstransit along Hwy. 5, Trafalgar Road and as for ROPA 38, theyve made a commit-gate the removal of large natural areas.Brant Street, and encourawith 7,000 members joined forces to form the Stopge active trans-ment that youre not going to see it.Although some features will be Escarpment Highway Coalition.portation. The arrow is off the map, but I dontimpacted, the extent of these impacts can HFebruary 2011: the Minister of Municipal Affairs andowever, the study states a Hamilton/think the challenges have dissipated.be minimized through careful routing, Halton traffic analHousing acknowledged that highway identification inysis shows without an Here, we have two levels of governmentthe report states.ROPA 38 was premature and agreed to remove it from thealternative transportation corridor with-and citizens together, against a highwayA corridor connecting to Hwy. 401 Provinces final decision on ROPA 38.in the planning horizon, Hwy. 403 in through this special little biosphere. Wewould have a greater impact on the natu-HMarch 2011:the Province released a Draft Transportationamilton will have to be widened to 10 need a new alternative, not always doingral environment which, may not be Development Strategy for a 90-day public review periodlanes, which will have significant envi-things the way they were done in theavoidable through route planning, ending June 6.ronmental impacts.past, said Burlington Mayor Rickaccording to the study, which also states The study looks at two new corridor Goldring.Venez rencontrer la direction de lle lors dune soirdinformation31 mai 8h301257, croissant SedgewickOakvilleLe succsexprime enInscriptionsole secondaire Oakvilleole mentaire Oakville EstfranoaLs150, promenade Ridge OakvilleTphone : 416 614-5908Nous offrons une cation de qualitans un milieu Deux complment francophone. Notre action est bassur leffort, le partage et le respect.nouvelles les maternelle et jardins denfants emps plein service de garderieakvilleVenez voir pourquoi les jeunes choisissent nos les.csviamonde.cawww.insideHALTON.com OAKVILLE BEAVER Friday, May 27, 2011 8