By Michael Parkinson
Published December 1998
The Ministry of Transportation is planning to build a new expressway between Kitchener and Guelph to replace the existing Highway 7 route. The expressway will have four lanes, controlled access, and will be designed for 120 km/hr (the posted speed will be 100 km/hr). The Ministry says that the unacceptable traffic congestion constitutes a safety issue and that a new expressway is warranted. The idea for this expressway was first conceived around 1970 when officials were advocating the immediate construction of a new Highway 7.
The project goes to the Minister of Environment (Norm Sterling) any day now for a decision to approve, modify, or not approve the project. It is likely to be approved, despite concerns raised by municipalities, government agencies, citizens groups and members of the public. The last public meeting on this issue was held in 1994.
The expressway is to be built about 1 km north of the existing Highway 7 and will have extreme effects on the natural environment. The area along the route contains prime agricultural land, provincially significant wetlands and wetland complexes, woodlots, streams and the Grand River. The Mayor of Guelph has publicly voiced concerns about the negative impact of this expressway on the air quality locally (K-W has had some of the worst air quality days this year in the entire province.) There are significant wildlife impacts.
The expressway is estimated by the engineering consultants to cost $90,000,000. Operating expenses are not included in this estimate. The expressway will have a negative impact on residents in the Wellington Street neighbourhood. It will displace many businesses operating along the Kitchener end of Highway 7 (Victoria Street). Owners have said in surveys that they rely on drive-by traffic to sustain their businesses. Although the Ministry of Transportation was asked to hear their concerns, the Ministry has not addressed the impacts in these areas. The project will also not improve the state of public transportation between the two cities.
A group of concerned citizens and organizations is preparing to have this project cancelled, but the support of other individuals and groups is crucial. We oppose this project for a wide variety of reasons, including the impact on our natural, social and economic environments. Many are of the opinion that there is not a transportation problem between the two cities. Furthermore, many people wonder if spending $90,000,000 plus to save rush hour commuters a couple of minutes in travel time is a good use of taxpayer’s money. What would your priorities be if you had $90,000,000 plus to spend on public projects in this Region? What if you could spend the interest income annually from $90,000,000 on public projects?
If you can, p lease write a letter to Elizabeth Witmer, MPP for Waterloo or to your local newspaper about the project. There will be a public meeting on December 3rd at 7:30 pm at Victoria School Centre. Citizens will be making presentations to Waterloo Regional Council and Kitchener and Waterloo City Council over the next couple of weeks.
