www.insideHALTON.com |OAKVILLE BEAVER |Thursday, April 6, 2017 |14 Burloak Driveexpansionfirst proposed 33 years ago by Marta Marychuk Oakville Beaver Staff More than 33 years after the Burloak Drive underpass was first proposed, the public had an opportunity to provide comments on plans to build a six-lane underpass, at a public meeting held Thursday, March 30. In spite of blustery weather, about 6 0 people attended the meeting held at the Queen Elizabeth Park Community and Cultural Centre -- by Metrolinx -- the agency established by the Province to integrate and co-ordinate transportation in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area (GTHA). Metrolinx is in the process of completing a Transit Project Assessment Process (TPAP) to construct a grade separation of Burloak Drive. M etrolinx says the grade separation, which was identified as a priority in a major study it did as part of the Lakeshore W est Service Plan, will help expand GO Transit service. The first round of public consultation is typically an open house, drop-in format, explained Georgina Collymore, senior advisor, environmental assessment, communications and community relations, Capital Projects Group. During this first public meeting, Collymore A crowd of approximately 6 0 attended a public meeting about the proposed Burloak Drive underpass - an infra structure first proposed more than three decades ago. | Metrolinx said residents have an opportunity to read the information on the project display boards and ask the project team questions. "This is early in the process," Collymore added. The project team will prepare a Draft Environmental Project Report in late summer or early fall of 2017. The GO Transit Lakeshore West Service Plan includes improvements to rush-hour service between Aldershot and Union Station; Hamilton GO Centre to Union Station; and Hamilton West Harbour GO to Union Station. Express GO Transit service will also be offered between Oakville and Union Station. Service improvements requires Metrolinx to install 150 kilometres of new dedicated GO track; new electric trains; new bridges and tunnels that eliminate intersections with rail and road traffic; and, new and improved stations. The second public consultation, which will likely take place in late summer or early fall of 2017, will consist of a formal presentation, with a question and answer period, Collymore said. Because a TRAP is more streamlined than an environmental assessment, Collymore said the TRAP should be completed by early 2018. Metrolinx is aiming to start the project in 2 0 1 9 , added Tatiana Rozvadovska, a project coordinator for the Lakeshore West Corridor. The service enhancements have been a long time coming. The Province first identified a new light rail system in 1984 called Government of Ontario Advanced Light Rail Transit (GO-ALRT). GO Transit proposed a new electric train to provide inter-urban service along existing and new GO corridors. This program was see Town on p.15 SCADDABUSH HOW OPEN IN AT WINSTON PARK DR. & QEW IN THE CINEPLEX PLAZA S p a g h e tti & M e a tb a ll N a k e d M o z z a r e lla A m e r i c a n o P iz z a w ww.scaddabush.com E n jo y 20% o ff on y o u r fir s t v is it to SCADDABUSH O akville * Dine-in only. No cash value. Minimum food and non-alcoholic beverage purchase of $15 before tax and gratuities required for redemption. Exclusive of taxes and gratuities. Maximum discount of up to $100.00. Discount applies to food and non-alcoholic beverages only. You must present this coupon to receive this offer. One coupon per table. One time use only. Discount does not apply to corporate events or groups of 5 or more guests. Not valid on Sunday May 14. Not to be used in conjunction with any other offer, discount or promotion. Only valid at SCADDABUSH Italian Kitchen & Bar Oakville location. Expires May 31,2017.