Oakville Chamber’s letter calls for province to fund Kerr underpass
Published July 6, 2022 at 11:53 am
Oakville Town Council isn’t alone in its fight to get the provincial government to resume funding and building the Kerr Street underpass.
The Oakville Chamber of Commerce has also added its support, penning a letter Monday to Minister of Transportation Caroline Mulroney, expressing disappointment regarding the indefinite deferral of the Kerr Street Separation due to increased costs.
The underpass would improve traffic for Oakville residents.
“This project to create an underpass at the Lakeshore West rail crossing on Kerr Street is a long-standing critical transportation improvement that would improve the movement of goods and services and reduce traffic and congestion both in the immediate area and surrounding neighbourhoods,” said the Chamber’s letter.
The indefinite deferral comes just weeks after the Burloak Underpass Project was given the go ahead at reduced cost and ahead of schedule.
“The cancellation of this project is not consistent with the Province’s plans to both invest in infrastructure and transportation networks as part of the plan to increase growth and the supply of housing,” continued the letter. “Moreover, according to the Provincial government’s More Homes, More Choice: Ontario’s Housing Supply Action Plan the Greater Golden Horseshoe is the economic engine of our province, generating more than 25 per cent of Canada’s Gross Domestic Product.
“Right now, approximately 9.2 million people, or 25 per cent of Canada’s population, live in this area and that number keeps growing.”
Oakville Mayor Rob Burton said Town Council appreciates the support.
“As stated in the letter, the cancellation of this project is not consistent with the Province’s plans to both invest in infrastructure and transportation networks as part of the plan to increase growth and the supply of housing,” Burton said in his weekly newsletter.
“Town Council and staff are in agreement that this grade separation is necessary to support mobility within and through Oakville.”
Metrolinx has described the underpass as a “critical” infrastructure project that is required before the electrification of the Lakeshore West Line can be completed.
The Kerr Street Grade Separation project is also critical for the GO Transit’s increased frequency by 2025,” the Chamber’s letter said. “The grade separation project also includes enhancements such as adding turn lanes, sidewalks, bike lanes and a second lane in each direction crossing the tracks therefore improving safety for all modes of transportation.”
The Chamber also said other projects will be delayed as a result of this deferral.
“The Oakville Chamber strongly urges the Province to make these necessary infrastructure projects a priority by allocating the appropriate funding,” the letter concluded.
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