Two city councillors at Wednesday night's meeting were concerned that the Ontario Ministry of Transportation (MTO) may have already decided where the proposed Southwest By-Pass Four Laning will go, and it's not where their constituents want.
Ward 1 Councillor Joe Cimino and Ward 2 Councillor Jacques Barbeau are concerned the interchange associated with the development would negatively impact on residents if cited in the Southview Dr. area.
They are asking concerned citizens to attend a public meeting Thursday, Feb. 28 between 4 and 8 pm at Fielding Park.
The four laning of Hwy. 17 from the Hwy. 69 interchange to Fielding /Kanata Rd. has been undertaken due to the high number of serious accidents in the past.
The MTO has already held two public information meetings and is holding the third on Thursday afternoon.
Cimino and Barbeau disagreed with the preferred option presented by Stantec Consultants.
“I have held neighbourhood meetings for residents in the Southview Dr. area and they have made it clear they don't want the interchange near them. Already they said there is too much traffic on Southview Dr. with an increasing number of transports and trucks using it and even some dump trucks rumbling along at three in the morning.”
Cimino said that city council passed a motion unanimously to petition the MTO to choose the Fielding Park site.
Barbeau agreed.
“I held a meeting at Fielding Park and 85 percent of those in attendance preferred the interchange there,” said Barbeau.
A report favoring the Fielding Park site was received from Growth and Development for Greater Sudbury late last year.
In it, Mark Simeoni, senior planner for Greater Sudbury, said that, “ a Southview Dr. alternative would have a higher negative impact on the existing residential neighbourhoods and a Fielding Rd. alternative supports industrial growth in the area.”
Infrastructure Services advised that a Fielding Rd. interchange would provide access for industrial traffic to Hwy. 17 via MR 55.
A Southview Dr. interchange would provide an enhanced north/south entry point to the city but may require an Official Plan amendment. Economic development advised that a Fielding Rd. interchange would provide improved access to an existing industrial area and assist future expansions.
Both councillors were wary that the MTO may have already decided on the Southview Dr alternative.
“Where is the value of public input into this decision making,” asked Barbeau.
The spokesperson for Stantec Consultants for the MTO said the Southview Dr. option was cheaper and came out on top when all factors were evaluated.
