Entrepreneurs like Steven O’Leary, who have businesses along the Highway 144 corridor between Chelmsford and Dowling, are unhappy about a provincal government bypass proposal.
To reduce the high volume of traffic, the Ministry of Transportation (MTO) is looking at various routes to skirt these communities. The new route could be up to 27 kilometres long.
O’Leary, owner of Cars Ontario, a car dealership on Hwy. 144, said his and other businesses depend on the traffic volumes for the viability of their businesses.
“Businesses will close up,” he said.
“People will leave town. Property values will decrease. It is a lose-lose situation.”
The project could cost up to $10 million per kilometre depending on the terrain, Stantec Consulting engineer, Gregg Cooke, said at a city council meeting Sept. 8. He was representing the MTO.
City councillors expressed frustrations about the bypass plan.
“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.”
He said many businesses set up shop next to the highway because of the traffic that is on the road.
“These businesses create a lot of employment in Chelmsford and area.”
Berthiaume suggested the MTO add turning and passing lanes and pursue road reconstruction to handle the traffic loads.
Cooke said, while improving the current road would be looked at, it was the opinion of the MTO that road improvements would not be enough to handle projected traffic in the future.
Other councillors said their experience with the MTO was that they didn’t adequately 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 reconstruction, 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 per cent community support for our recommendations,” Barbeau said.
Public meeting Wednesday
A public information meeting will take place Sept. 22 at the Chelmsford Community Centre, from 4 to 8 pm.
At the Chelmsford meeting, a presentation providing a brief overview of the study and displays will occur at 5 pm, 6 pm and 7 pm.
The next public session will be in the spring of 2011, followed by a third in the winter of 2012. The study should be complete by the spring of 2012, according to the MTO.
No money has yet been allocated for construction of the bypass.nesday
