Puslinch councillor Dick Visser says he was “put off” that the township was left out of a winter meeting between Cambridge, Brantford, and MTO officials about proposed plans for a new Highway 24.
“I think it’s pretty presumptuous for them to talk about and plan a corridor that’s outside their jurisdiction,” Visser said at the April 2 council meeting.
“It certainly is,” Mayor Brad Whitcombe replied.
According to a Feb. 19 Cambridge Times article, Cambridge Mayor Doug Craig, Brantford Mayor Mike Hancock, and Ontario Transportation Minister Jim Bradley attended a meeting a week prior to discuss the new highway, which will connect the two cities.
The proposed two-lane highway would run from the 403 to the 401, and the MTO’s preferred route for the corridor passes directly through Puslinch Township, south of the 401.
Considering Puslinch councillors are adamantly opposed to the project, which Whitcombe has called “a made in Puslinch solution for a made in Cambridge problem,” it was no surprise council felt snubbed by the exclusive meeting.
Visser said the township should write a letter to officials from the two cities and the MTO informing the parties of councillors’ displeasure.
The rest of council agreed. Councillor Matthew Bulmer suggested the letter also be forwarded to county representatives.
The Cambridge Times article did not provide a lot of details about the Feb. 13 meeting, though it noted Craig called the meeting “very productive.” The article also said that according to Craig, the MTO will be resuming the massive $2.2-million environmental assessment for the new highway “in the spring.”
For more information on the Highway 24 study visit 24corridorstudy.ca.
