Research has shown time and…

Research has shown time and time again that building more roads does not reduce traffic congestion. In a few years the congestion returns as more people opt to travel by car. Given the need to reduce GHG emissions and fossil fuel use policies that encourage travel by car (ie building more roads) are not what Ontario needs. The funds to build this highway would be better spent building, encouraging and subsidizing public transit and bike lanes (or other small personal means of transportation). Bike lanes have been shown to reduce congestion ... which is the stated goal. So municipalities should be provided incentives to build bike lanes. With e-bikes growing steadily in popularity these lanes become more and more important and more and more the way Ontarians get around. With a clean low GHG grid this means that fewer GHGs will be emitted per capita. So bike lanes and public transit are a win win. They reduce congestion, get people to their destinations faster, ultimately cost less and are better for the environment. The current policy direction of building more roads is not backed by evidence, will not reduce congestion and will create problems for many years to come.