Greater Sudbury Mayor Brian Bigger took aim at critics of the $80.1 million Maley Drive extension Thursday, saying he wanted to set the record straight and give the “facts” about the project.
Bigger said moving ahead with Maley is critical to the growing the city's economy, both in the short and long term.
"There have been a number of misconceptions that have been floated around the community about Maley Drive,” he told reporters. “I want to take this opportunity to provide you with the facts."
In the short term, he said Maley will create 780 jobs during the construction phase, which is expected to last until 2019, assuming the project is approved and construction begins this year.
Longer term, Bigger said it will save drivers $11.1 million annually in time savings, as well as extend the life of Lasalle Boulevard by 8-10 years. That's significant because the last time Lasalle was resurfaced, it cost $14 million.
After years of trying – and failing – to get the province and federal government to provide their one-third share of the costs, the province agreed to fund Maley in 2014, and the federal government is expected to follow suit should council confirm its support.
Bigger has introduced a motion for the March 22 council meeting in which he's asking councillors to commit to the project.
"We're here to build a city for our children and our grandchildren,” Bigger said Thursday. “We should be proud that two levels of government have recognized the importance of this project and would be willing to invest $55.2 million in Greater Sudbury."
While some critics have said the money should be used to fix other roads, he said the funding doesn't work that way. If the city says no to Maley, that funding will go to another municipality and the city will go to the back of the line.
The city already spends $80 million a year repairing roads, and that will continue, Bigger said, pointing to work scheduled to be done on Lorne Street and MR 35 this year. More than $10 million has been put aside for Maley, and the city has budgeted $2.3 million a year for the project until it's paid off.
"Four years after Maley Drive is completed, it will be completely paid for, he said. "This project will not raise taxes. It will not put us in debt. We will stay on budget ... We can afford Maley Drive."
Also at the news conference were two councillors who have declared their support for Maley – Ward 5 Coun. Bob Kirwan (whose column on Maley can be found here) and Ward 7 Coun. Mike Jakubo.
"I'm in full support of the Maley Drive extension," Jakubo said, declining to speculate on how the rest of council will vote.
"My colleagues are fully entitled to their time and space in making their own decision.”
He did say that the March 1 public input session was important for council, in particular the presentation from Infrastructure GM Tony Cecutti (see it here).
"I think what councillors were looking for were more facts, and I think those presentations laid those facts out," he said.
Jakubo said Maley would ease the load on Lasalle Boulevard, opening possibilities to develop the roadway to make it more attractive for users other than drivers.
"Whether that be more friendly for transit users, it would definitely make it easier to add bike lanes and the like,” he said. “So I certainly do see a redevelopment opportunity there from that perspective."
Currently, Jakubo said there are two types of traffic on Lasalle -- those looking to access commercial areas and those travelling from one side of the city to the other. Maley will give everyone a choice, making both commuting and shopping better for all.
"It will make it a more enjoyable experience. Really, as a building block for the future of the city, I really think this is something we have to do."
Bigger said he reflected on what the project would mean for Lasalle recently as he was driving along the road.
"There's 40,000 cars each day on Lasalle Boulevard and 10,000 cars are predicted to shift to Maley Drive once Maley Drive is complete,” he said. “That's one in four cars. That certainly would help the flow of traffic on Lasalle Boulevard and other arteries within our community."
He said fighting for projects such as Maley is important element as local politicians work to move the city forward.
"We, as a council, see a vision of growth for our community,” he said. “And we want to see it flourish and succeed. That's why we were elected. Can you imagine the City of Greater Sudbury without the Paris Street bridge? Can you imagine the CGS without the Lasalle Extension? Or the Brady Extension?
“I can't. We need to move forward. I want to see our community grow. And I'm asking, don't you?"
