Halton Hills Mayor presses province on transportation issues

InsideHalton.com
Oct. 24, 2016
By Independent Free Press

Mayor Rick Bonnette urged the GTA West Advisory Panel, established by the Ministry of Transportation of Ontario (MTO), to provide certainty on the GTA West corridor and narrow or eliminate lands from the focused analysis area.

In December 2015, the MTO suspended its work on the environmental assessment of the GTA West to conduct an internal review of the work completed and to ensure that it aligns with current government policies and emerging technologies.

In accordance with provincial requirements, Corridor Protection was put in place for the GTA West Study Area through local and regional Official Plan amendments.

This Corridor Protection applies to the Halton Hills Premier Gateway Employment lands located east of the Eighth Line.

The uncertainly of the province’s direction regarding GTA West is making it difficult for residents and the Town to plan for the future.

The GTA West, along with a number of road improvements and new corridors such as the east-west Norval By-Pass, is required to address the traffic congestion in Norval.

The Town’s focus is to solve cross-boundary transportation issues caused primarily by corridor constraints on Hwy. 7.

“On behalf of the Town I have consistently advocated for a partnership with the MTO in addressing traffic issues along Highway 7, through the urban areas of Norval, Georgetown and Acton,” said Mayor Bonnette.

The meeting was held at the Ministry offices in Toronto. The Mayor was joined by other municipalities within the GTHA including Halton Region, Peel Region, Town of Caledon, York Region and the City of Vaughan.

Presentations were made to Ministry staff and the Advisory Panel.