| Province plans transportation network to support future
growth |
TORONTO, March 1 /CNW/ - The government of Ontario is
moving forward with a series of major highway studies to begin preparing
the province's
transportation network to support the dramatic population and economic
growth expected over the next 15 years, announced Transportation Minister
Brad Clark today. |
| "A modern transportation network is
vital to continued prosperity in Ontario," said Clark. "Planning
new highways, more efficient trade corridors and expanded international
gateways now will help us continue to compete - and win - in the 21st
century global economy." |
The major planning initiatives for potential new
transportation corridors will look at:
- extending Highway 427,
- extending Highway 407 East,
- extending Highway 404 and establishing a Bradford
Bypass,
- providing additional capacity at the Windsor-Detroit
border crossing,
- a new east-west corridor in the GTA, and
- a new mid-Niagara peninsula corridor |
| "As we plan a state-of-the-art transportation network
we must consider broad, fundamental goals - like the kinds of communities
we want to live in 15 years from now," said Minister of Municipal
Affairs and Housing, Chris Hodgson. "We're committed to ensuring all
growth in this province is Smart Growth - and that means making tough
decisions to maintain a strong economy, prosperous communities and a clean
healthy environment." |
The transportation studies will consider important issues
like local community needs, patterns of economic growth and opportunity,
environmental
priorities, and population growth as well as local and regional
transportation patterns and innovative approaches to infrastructure
financing, building and
operation. Extensive public consultation will be part of any environmental
assessments. |
"Every Ontarian has an important voice in planning for
the future," said Hodgson. "We will work with residents and
municipal leaders, small business
owners, large industry and others to give everyone a chance to think about
what Smart Growth means for them, their families - and their economic
future." |
"Through SuperBuild, the Ontario government
coordinates the province's capital infrastructure investments," said
Finance Minister and Minister
responsible for SuperBuild Jim Flaherty. "Safe and efficient movement
on our highways is key to the province's economic growth and job
creation." |
| "I concur with the province that we need to plan for
the future and move ahead with these transportation initiatives to deal
with some of the challenges that commuters and municipalities are
facing," said Roger Anderson, Chair of Durham Region. "Durham
Region intends to be an active participant at every stage in planning to
make these initiatives a reality." |
| To view a map of the GTA/Golden
Horseshoe |
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