Comment
This study can offer practical, pragmatic solutions to SWO transportation needs but the real concern is that the provincial government will view and prioritise the study recommendations from an ideological/ political, vote gleaning standpoint and or the influence of friendly lobbyists.
Having said this the most pressing challenge in the region is to provide a 2-hourly passenger train service between Windsor/Sarnia and Toronto on the Dundas subdivision and a similar service from London through Stratford and Kitchener to Toronto plus supporting the introduction of the Chicago - Toronto passenger train service. This will require federal/provincial and host railway agreement and needed public investment.
Highways must have variable speed limits enforced by licence plate recognition to force drivers to operate their vehicles according to prevailing conditions. This is especially so if increased speed limits are more widely implemented.
The Hwy 413 project should be abandoned and the funds applied to maintenance of the existing highway infrastructure and justifiable improvements. Claims by the provincial premier and transportation minister of a 30min time saving for commuters are puerile as induced demand will rapidly reduce the suggested benefit.
The longer-term objective should be to induce substantial modal transfer from personal automobiles to transit and inter-community public transportation. Escalating, taxpayer-funded highway subsidies have a very high opportunity cost considering the funding needed for healthcare and education in the province.
Submitted May 24, 2024 3:34 PM
Comment on
Southwestern Ontario Transportation Planning Study – Early Findings and Draft Options
ERO number
019-7709
Comment ID
99396
Commenting on behalf of
Comment status