It seems that this proposal…

It seems that this proposal puts the cart before the horse by allowing early works to proceed to construction before the completion of the draft Environmental Impact Assessment Report. Preliminary early works activities such as new bridge construction, bridge replacement or expansion, transitway station construction and utility relocation should not proceed until the Environmental Impact Assessment is finalized. Some of these works are likely the most impacted by the normal environmental assessment process as they have some of the biggest environmental impacts on many projects today. If environmental protection and mitigation measures have not been finalized, construction must not proceed . It really does not make sense, particularly considering the environmental sensitivity of water crossings and other environmentally sensitive locations that would negate construction at the proposed locations. Such early works could not irreparable harm to environmentally sensitive locations and could dictate the final route locations. i.e. There is no sense in building a transitway station if the final approved location as per the final Environmental approved route bypasses the area.

Do not allow the cart to be be put in front of the horse by allowing early works in advance of the completion of the final Environmental Impact Assessment Report for environmental and economic reasons. Taxpayers should not foot the bill for ill conceived or unapproved infrastructure!!! The environmental process must be completed fully before construction proceeds, particularly around water crossings, transit stations and utilities are relocated. The taxpayer must not pay for works that are not approved by a final environmental assessment report. Taxpayers money must not be wasted. The environment must be protected.