Councillors deride MTO's plans for Hwy. 144 bypass

Possible plans by Ontario's Ministry of Transportation (MTO) to re-route a section of Hwy. 144 around Chelmsford and Dowling were criticized by city councillors at their Sept. 8 council meeting.

The road is a provincial highway and is the responsibility of MTO.

Stantec Consulting engineer Gregg Cooke informed the councillors about a public consultation meeting for area residents set for Sept. 22 at the Chelmsford Community Centre.

The MTO plans to gather input from residents at the Chelmsford meeting about possible routes for the bypass, which could be up to 27 kilometres long, he said.

The project could cost up to $10 million per kilometre depending on the terrain, he added. No money has yet been allocated for construction of the bypass.

Cooke got an earful from several councillors who represent wards close to where the proposed project would be built.

“I have met with over 30 businesses,” Ward 3 Coun. Claude Berthiaume said. “There is a lot of concern about the impact on their businesses. Many moved to the highway because of the traffic that is on the road.”

He said 10 gas stations, a dozen vehicle repair shops, five car lots, several trailer and boat sales businesses and numerous food establishments would be directly affected.

“These businesses create a lot of employment in Chelmsford and area. All depend on the high visibility along the highway,” he said.

Steve O'Leary, owner of Cars Ontario, a car dealership on Hwy. 144, said before the meeting tax payers money was being wasted even embarking on the bypass study.

“Why don't they spend that money on a community centre for our families to enjoy and promote healthier lifestyles?” he asked. “What they (MTO) are proposing will do the opposite. Businesses will close up. People will leave town. Property values will decrease. It is a lose-lose situation.”

Berthiaume suggested MTO instead add turning and passing lanes and pursue road reconstruction to handle the traffic loads.

His words were echoed by Ward 4 Coun. Evelyn Dutrisac.

“We are still waiting for the four laning from Azilda to Chelmsford,” Dutrisac said.

Cooke said while improving the current road would be looked at, he said it was the opinion of MTO that road improvements would not be enough to handle projected traffic in the future.

Many councillors, including Dutrisac, asked where did the idea for the bypass came from.

“Complaints?” asked Ward 6 Coun. Andre Rivest. “I have heard no one asking for a bypass and I have family that live there.”

Ward 5 Coun. Ron Dupuis said he hadn't heard any complaints either.

“But we have heard that work needs to be done between Sudbury and Dowling,” Dupuis said.

Cooke said the MTO had received complaints about developers being restricted in their projects in the area due to high traffic volumes on Highway 144.

Other councillors said their experience with MTO in the South End was not good, in terms of the ministry's willingness to listen to the public.

“Consultation means you listen,” Ward 2 Coun Jacques Barbeau said. “My experience with MTO is the exact opposite.”

He cited his involvement with the South End bypass initiated by the MTO several years ago.

“Business impact, neighbourhood impact and emergency response time impacts were all not taken into consideration by MTO in their final decisions, though we had 100 percent community support for our recommendations,” Barbeau said.

Councillors recommended MTO listen to the comments by residents at the upcoming meeting.

The meeting takes place at 215 Edward Avenue Chelmsford.

A presentation providing a brief overview of the study and displays will occur at 5 p.m., 6 p.m. and 7 p.m.

The next public session will be in the spring of 2011, followed by a third in the winter of 2012. Cooke said the study should be complete by the spring of 2012.