Upgrade of Sideroad 26/27 is…

Upgrade of Sideroad 26/27 is unnecessary and would be a money pit.

Posted: March 22, 2019
Comment period: March 22, 2019 - May 21, 2019 (60 days)

As a Taxpayer and Resident of Clearview Township I object to approval of an amendment to the NEP regarding the upgrade of Sideroad 26/27 (SR 26/27) for the following reasons:

1. Sideroad 26/27 is little more than a wet goatpath that would cost significant taxpayer funds to upgrade and maintain.
2. Upgrading of Sideroad 26/27 would also require upgrading of Concession 10.
3. Simcoe County/Clearview Township had a perfectly good County Road 91 (CR 91) until they started their backroom negotiations with Walker Aggregates.
4. The downgraded County Road 91 is still a perfectly good, useable road that is relied on by the public.
5. County Road 91 is an arterial road used by neighbouring counties and tourists as well as residents.
6. Safety issues cited by the Township pale in comparison to other areas of the township, county, province.
7. Safety issues cited by the Township were exacerbated by allowing Walker Aggregates to "expand" across the road. This issue should have been addressed under the Aggregate Resources Act.
8. Significant funds would need to be spent on new signage, documentation and map reprints.
9. Upgrading Sideroad 26/27 would encourage further development in the area.
10. The only real reason to upgrade the Sideroad is to deliver on the backroom deal that Clearview Township made with Walker, a deal that "sold" County Road 91 for the cost of anticipated road maintenance and not for the value of the aggregate beneath.
11. Should traffic on the upgraded Sideroad 26/27 reach 400 cars per day, the Township is obligated to upgrade the road further, thus more cost, more construction, more destruction.
12. Should County Road 91 be transferred to Walker Aggregates, and should the company decide to close that part of the road, then traffic would be diverted to Sideroad 26/27 and through Singhampton to County Road 24 (CR 24). Additional heavy traffic on CR 24 would create more
complaints and more safety issues and interfere with the quiet enjoyment of the homes in that area.
13. There is the possibility that Walker Aggregate would close CR 91 negating the benefit of upgrading SR 26/27.
14. The sightlines on CR 24 and Concession 10 are poor, would need work and likely lights installed, meaning more expense.
15. The sightlines at SR 26/27 and Concession 10 are poor, would need work and likely lights installed, meaning more expense.
16. Additional traffic as a result of rerouting CR 91 through Singhampton was not part of the Walker Aggregate expansion impact analysis under the Aggregate Resources Act.
17. Alternatives are available to improve CR 91 safety today. Traffic could rerouted through Singhampton by putting up "Detour" and "Local Traffic Only" signs or something similar thus reducing traffic. Speed limits could be lowered and enforced.

Ultimately, the upgrade of SR 26/27 for political reasons goes against the purpose of the Niagara Escarpment protected area, which we as Taxpayers pay to maintain for the future. Please do not approve the amendment. Thank you.