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www.oakvillebeaver.com The Oakville Beaver, Wednesday April 25, 2007 - 5 More funding needed to power Transportation Master Plan By Kim Arnott SPECIAL TO OAKVILLE BEAVER An ambitious Transportation Master Plan that calls for $604 million in investments to transit and roadways by 2021 has been adopted by town council. However, without a substantial influx of cash from the provincial or federal governments, or a change in rules around development charges, much of the plan will never likely materialize into reality. "We're delivering to you a master plan that we'd say would not be affordable in the current circumstances," admitted Dave Bloomer, Oakville's Commissioner of Infrastructure and Transportation Services. The plan's underlying philosophy seeks to cut down on the use of private automobiles. It suggests funding to vastly improve the frequency and availability of transit service across the town, as well as to expand bicycle and pedestrian trails. "Our current reliance on roads and highways is not sustainable," said Bloomer. "Like roads, transit needs to be seen as an investment in a transportation system, not as a cost to deliver a service." Under the plan's transit strategy, buses would run every five minutes along primary routes, every 10 minutes along secondary routes and every 15 to 30 minutes through local communities. The plan would require the town to purchase an additional "Our current reliance on roads and highways is not sustainable. Like roads, transit needs to be seen as an investment in a transportation system, not as a cost to deliver a service." Dave Bloomer, Oakville's Commissioner of Infrastructure and Transportation services 120 vehicles over the next 14 years, and would cost about $164 million. The master plan also calls for a $278 million investment in the town's road network. Among the proposed expenditures would be a new Bronte Creek crossing, to link Wyecroft Road with Burlington's Harvester Road, as well as a QEW crossing to link Royal Windsor Drive with an Iroquois Shore Road extension. The plan would also see grade separations (overpasses or tunnels) built at the railway crossings on Burloak Drive, Fourth Line and Kerr Street. Multi-use recreational trails are recommended for both sides of any new arterial roads built, as well as improved cycling and pedestrian facilities at crossings of the QEW, CN Railway, 16-Mile Creek and Bronte Creek. An average annual tax increase of about one per cent would be required just to fund this plan, which would also require the town to remove about $100 mil- lion from its reserve funds. Under current rules, development charges would pay for only $245 million ­ or less than half ­ of the recommended transportation upgrades. "More financial resources are needed to make this an affordable plan," said Bloomer, suggesting that the town needs to continue its strong advocacy for changes that will make growth more affordable. "We do not have sustainable, predictable and stable funding programs in place," he said. "We need to get there." However, Bloomer noted that the last few years have seen significant progress around transportation initiatives, including the allocation of a portion of gas tax revenue to road and transit infrastructure, the creation of the Greater Toronto Transportation Authority (GTTA) to coordinate efforts, and plans to expand the GO Transit system and the QEW. Along with adopting the master plan ­ subject to a 30-day public comment period ­ council approved a motion asking the province to revise the Development Charge Act to allow municipalities to recoup the full growth cost of transportation investments. This master plan was originally presented to town council in 2004 in draft form, and is expected to be updated within the next few years, under a requirement that the town update such plans every five years. Test Drive: Outlook, Aura, Sky, Vue & Ion Sat., & Sun. from 12-6pm. Saturn Product Specialists will be on site. Don't Miss Your Chance to "Win Like Never Before" One of Four 2007 Saturn Models BUDDS' SATURN 2400 South Service Road West · 905-845-1610 www.buddssaturn.ca Mon-Thurs 9 am-8:30 pm · Fri 9 am-6 pm · Sat 9 am-5 pm KEEPING SENIORS INFORMED Our LivingWell Events are Open to the Public TM