County pitches MTO to push forward on Bradford bypass
Simcoe County Deputy Warden Terry Dowdell led a delegation Tuesday for an audience with Transportation Minister Steven Del Duca and representatives from the Ministry of Transportation (MTO) to press for moving forward on the Hwy 400/404 link – ‘Bradford bypass’ (BPP).
Deputy warden Dowdell, who is mayor of Essa, (on behalf of County Warden Gerry Marshall) was joined by Bradford West Gwillimbury (BWG) mayor Rob Keffer, Innisfil mayor Gord Wauchope, and County CAO, Mark Aitken, along with representatives from York Region.
Mr. Dowdall told Free Press Online this morning via email that the “meeting was called by the many Mayors, County, and York region to ask the Liberal government to include it into Places to Grow ‎,and Metrolinx Big Moves update,” he wrote. “So we are hopeful of a Provincial blessing. After it is identified, the County, York Region and Bradford will have opportunities to discuss funding models.”
In his address to the Minister, (a copy of which was forwarded to Free Press Online) Mr. Dowdall said planning for the BBP “has been in discussion for a few decades.”
It’s one of the County’s top priority road network expansion proposals and was identified as a “carried forward” proposal for MTO system level analysis as referenced in the Simcoe Area Multi-Modal Transportation Strategy needs assessment presented March 27, 2014.
In its first phase, the BBP would be a new four-lane controlled access highway that would provide E-W connection between Hwy 400 and 404. It would be located just south of BWG’s 9th Line. Because the proposed route would cross the Holland River, it’s recognized in the assessment report that “environmental concerns and opposition likely.”
“Our municipalities – York Region, Simcoe County and the many cities, towns and townships represented here today, have worked together with the united goal to improve transportation connections for our businesses, residents and visitors,” according to Mr. Dowdall’s speech text. “This will not only be an important achievement for our municipalities, but a significant one for all of Ontario because this is about business for all of us – well beyond the borders of Simcoe and York. Our economic engine is fueled by the ability to move people and goods in an efficient, safe and timely manner to and from the GTA.”
Mr. Dowdall highlighted Hwy 400 congestion in the Bradford/Innisfil area was no longer a problem on weekends or long weekend cottage travel. He asked “for your partnership and commitment to support this initiative.”
“It impacts our businesses, communities and residents on a daily basis,” he said. “Improving movement to and from the GTA by opening up the 400-404 Connecting Link will significantly address gridlock issues. It will also support the development of additional employment lands situated around Highway 400, and help drive our local economy and the quality of life of our residents for years to come.”
Future scenarios with a planning horizon through to 2041, include expansion of Hwy 427 through New Tecumseth, to the Barrie bypass. As part of it, the BBP would extend westward to connect to the 427 extension. Additionally, widening Cty Rds 88, 21, and 90; Hwy 89 to four lanes from Hwy 11 to Shelburne (with bypass required at Industrial Parkway through Alliston); and Hwy 9 widening to four lanes.
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