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www.insideHALTON.com | OAKVILLE BEAVER | Thursday, April 18, 2013 | 16 Halton can't grow if The Big Move is delayed Metrolinx transit plan dubbed `The Big Stall' during debate at regional committee Greater Golden Horseshoe. The recommendation will go before regional council today (Wednesday) for final approval. Tim Dennis, Halton's transportation services director, said delays of Halton projects means they won't be in Metrolinx's investment strategy that will be funding the next wave of projects. Dennis said only 24 of 62 projects in The Big Move plan would be delivered in its initial $50billion budget to tackle gridlock and improve transportation in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area (GTHA) over the next 25 years. "If the Big Move projects benefitting Halton are delayed, Halton will not be able to meet provincial growth plan targets. The transportation system mode split, and level of service objectives, will not be met," he said. Dennis said Halton is also concerned about lack of detail on Metrolinx's announcement that a quarter of the Next Wave funding support local transit projects, roads and highway improvements, as well as active transportation. It's unclear how the money will be distributed. Metrolinx has stated, "large projects generate benefits for all levels of government and therefore specific large projects and programs require support from all levels of government in addition to dedicated and predictable revenues." Dennis said that implies municipalities may be asked to pay for inter-regional projects with an estimated $2 billion price tag. Regional councillors admitted disappointment with the plan and its impact on Halton. Halton's regional transportation and growth plans on how the community grows are based on the Metrolinx's projects being completed and the Province's growth plan for the area. Regional Chair Gary Carr said it feels like the rug is being pulled out from underneath them. Halton is doing its part in attracting residents and businesses, but it can't continue to grow without proper infrastructure in place, he said. Oakville Councillor Allan Elgar expressed his frustration, saying he keeps hearing about how The Big Move plan will benefit everyone, but doesn't see how it will. "The idea is to maintain current service levels, which are already not acceptable to a lot of by Julie Le Metroland West Media Frustration and concern about Metrolinx's The Big Move plan is growing in Halton. The plan -- dubbed "The Big Stall" by one councillor -- was heavily debated at Halton's planning and public works meeting last week. Debate was sparked by a regional staff report detailing the plan's affect on Halton. Plan amendments include delaying a twoway, all-day train service between Meadowvale and Milton and between Mount Pleasant and Georgetown from 15 years to up to 25 years. The electrification of the Airport Rail Link would also happen before that of the GO Lakeshore Line between Hamilton and Oshawa. The committee unanimously supported numerous recommendations that spoke to the fallout to be felt in Halton should the delays occur. The recommendations include advising the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, Halton will be unable to meet the forecasts and targets of the Provincial Growth Plan for the people in the GTA," he said. Committee members strongly opposed any funding scheme that impacts Ontarians property taxes and are concerned regional commuters will pay a disproportionate amount of Metrolinx's $2 billion annual regional transit expansion. The committee said it could invite representatives from Metrolinx and the province to present to the planning and public works committee. Members also supported a recommendation to inform Metrolinx that it should coordinate its investment strategy with the forecasts, targets and policies of the Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe before it delivers the strategy to the provincial government on June 1. It should also provide a sustainable strategy for the funding of all 62 projects identified in the Big Move capital program, including those projects directly benefitting Halton and, if this is not achievable, that the Province be requested to revisit the growth plan assumptions to reflect the existing economic realities and a slower growth scenario, the recommendation stated. 5 20 20 % OFF ALL COMFORTERS & COMFORTER SETS April 3-7 ONLY LINEN WAREHOUSE SALE! CELEBRATE SPRING WITH WEEKS OF SAVINGS! Until May 5th , 2013 % OFF ALL SOLID FLANNEL & JUVENILE SHEET SETS April 17-21 ONLY BLOW OUT SALE! 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