It appears the environmental assessment for what may become a new provincial highway cutting through Puslinch Township will proceed, much to the dismay of local councillors.
Last week council reacted publicly for the first time to the News that on July 17 the Ministry of the Environment (MOE) approved the Ministry of Transportation’s (MTO) terms of reference for the Brantford to Cambridge corridor study.
Mayor Brad Whitcombe called several objections to the document – including those from the township and the Save More and Reduce Traffic (SMART) Coalition – “good submissions,” but lamented the environmental assessment for the 403-to-401 link will now proceed anyway.
In December, Puslinch council unanimously passed a resolution stating it is opposed to the MTO’s terms of reference because a new highway:
– will likely be located in an area that could become part of the province’s expanded Greenbelt;
– would have a significant impact on the Paris-Galt moraine, provincially significant wetlands and other local sensitive environmental features;
– will isolate a number of Puslinch residents because it will split the township in two;
– tries to circumvent the Ministry of Infrastructure through the EA process to avoid a “sub-area assessment” to prove the need for the highway; and
– ignores the nearby Highway 6 project, which will provide the link the MTO desires.
Councillor Matthew Bulmer said last week he supports the township’s original position that the entire corridor study also falls outside the scope of the Provincial Policy Statement and is not included in the province’s growth plan.
Bulmer said “the only silver lining” to the News is the environmental assessment itself will now also fail to meet those requirements.
Provincial officials have stated repeatedly it is unclear if the corridor study will result in the construction of a new highway – coined “Highway 24” or “the 424” by some – but if so, there is no preferred location for the thoroughfare.
However, local officials, including Puslinch Township and the SMART Coalition, fear the province will ultimately settle on the “east link” for a new highway, which cuts through southwestern Puslinch.
MP Michael Chong and MPP Ted Arnott have also objected to any new highway through the township.
