What municipal election candidates are saying about traffic issues in Richmond Hill

Yorkregion.com
September 20, 2018

The Liberal reached out to all candidates for comments on the traffic/transit issues facing Richmond Hill. Below are the responses we've received from the candidates. We did not receive a responses from every candidate.

QUESTION: What do you think are the main traffic/transit issues facing residents in Richmond Hill? What would you do to make it easier for people get around?

ANSWERS:

MAYOR CANDIDATES

Dave Barrow: The main traffic/transit issues in Richmond Hill are that the growth we are receiving from the province is not keeping up with the infrastructure funds from the province to be able to move people and cars. Repairing and widening existing roads to accommodate more traffic is traffic congestion.

REGIONAL COUNCIL CANDIDATES

Jason Cherniak: The Yonge Street VIVA Next project is great for public transit. Unfortunately, the plan will remove most right-turn lanes. As regional councillor, I will continue the advocacy that I started as chair of the Richmond Hill Board of Trade government affairs committee to keep Yonge Street’s right-turn lanes.

Carmine Perrilli: Bring the subway now! The only real solution to traffic congestion is to extend the Yonge Street Subway into the heart of Richmond Hill. As regional councillor, I will work with the Region and Premier Doug Ford to make this line a priority. Stop the talking and start the digging.

Joel DiPaola: The No. 1 traffic/transit issue facing Richmond Hill today is getting the funding for the extension of the Yonge Subway to Hwy. 7. Reliable proper underground transit infrastructure will allow families to be less dependent on their vehicles.

Margaret Quirk - Georgina Mayor candidate
Weibo Cheng: A more rational infrastructure plan that allows more fluid traffic flow by not initiating several road projects in one area. Currently there are three major projects limiting north south travel in Richmond Hill. More suitable transit can provide people get around even our transit is also affected by road construction.

Ramin Faraji: Richmond Hill has become a commuters’ town, where people have long commutes to work, for education and entertainment, thus creating one-way traffic jams and bottlenecks. I will create local opportunities within our town, prioritize the extension of the subway to Richmond Hill, and create better integration between VIVA and YRT.

COUNCIL CANDIDATES

Trifon Haitas, Ward 1: On average, residents in Richmond Hill spend close to an hour or more commuting to work every day. This is due to an ever-expanding population. We desperately need greater thought put into our town planning and road infrastructure to reduce commute times and ease the flow of traffic during peak times.

Carol Davidson, Ward 1: Investing in technology is reducing traffic jams in other cities. On main roads adding live traffic cameras could show residents trouble areas before they are sitting in gridlock. Those cameras can be tied to traffic lights, and green light frequencies adjusted to improve traffic flow. We must try new solutions.

Lidia Kafieh, Ward 1 : I believe the most pressing traffic issue is on Yonge Street. I believe the way to solve this, first and foremost, is to have the Yonge subway line extended to Richmond Hill Centre. We need to work with our provincial partners to get this project completed as soon as possible.

Greg Beros, Ward 1: Issue is every street is under construction. Also, we need a bridge on Elgin Mills. I will continue to lobby York Region to plan construction in stages not all at once and continue to push for a bridge from the Region and other levels of government.

Scott Thompson, Ward 2: Ward 2 residents tell me that the traffic/transit project initiatives already approved and supported cannot come about fast enough. If elected I would be pushing to fast-track the initiative to build a grade separation over the railway tracks on Elgin Mills Road.

Mike Rajbar, Ward 2: Construction on Yonge street and main roads are slowing down traffic causing motorists to use alternative routes. Town Hall needs to work with residents to explore possible solutions which may include traffic calming reduced speed limits, enforcement and higher fines in residential areas and expanded bus service on main roads.

Tom Muench, Ward 2: Over 70 per cent of residents commute to work outside Richmond Hill. We do not have road capacity or transit corridors to meet our needs such as: bridge over CN rail on Elgin Mills; quality jobs to reduce commuting; improved mass transit, including more go train service and a subway.

Keith Menezes, Ward 2: Traffic congestion seems to be increasing daily; the increase in rail traffic accounting for the majority of delay at Elgin Mills and 19th Avenue railroad crossings. We need an overpass at both these crossings. With transit, express east-west bus routes during peak hours would help traffic flow and increase commuters.

Michael Aziz, Ward 2: Richmond Hill town staff and elected officials are working on a number of initiatives to address traffic/transit issues and are working diligently to improve everyone’s commute. If elected, I will advocate for the widening of roads – where possible – and increase the number of bike lanes (which residents have asked for).

Michael D'Amelio, Ward 4: The main issue we are dealing with is road construction. Improper scheduling has led to all major roads being under construction at once. This has caused delays without alternative options to reroute traffic. Without stronger penalties and improved scheduling, traffic congestion will remain an issue for the Richmond Hill community.

David West, Ward 4: The pace of growth has exceeded the pace of development of effective public transit and key regional road investments. While some progress has been made, council must continue to relentlessly advocate upper levels of government to fund transit and road projects, while we concurrently manage safety on neighbourhood roads.

Nima Shahi, Ward 5: One of the main issues that I see facing residents is the horrendous construction that is obstructing almost every major intersection around the town. I’d like to see future transit construction resources to be concentrated rather than widespread, and the subway line to be extended- offering better transit options.

Karen Cilevitz, Ward 5: Richmond Hill’s population will increase to 240,000-plus in the coming decades. While Yonge Street undergoes its transformation for the bus rapidway, congestion is magnified. Metrolinx’s mass transit network, the Yonge North Subway Extension, and better local pedestrian walkways and bike lanes, will ultimately produce easier, more efficient travel.

Godwin Chan, Ward 6: Work with York Region to widen roads where feasible, adjusting traffic signals’ timing and adding turn lanes for better traffic flow and safety. Update transportation master plan for a comprehensive plan to address congestion. Push for expedited timelines for Yonge Subway extension; co-ordinate VIVA/YRT bus schedules for better connections.

Julie Maxey, Ward 6: Prolong construction times. How effective are the times of the days - time/man power not anyone can do actual job. Why not pay them time half and work into the night 9 p.m. to 5 a.m.? Then they'll have to work. Cut taxpayer money.