HawthorneVillager.com

Smith - right on
Sad to say, I see it only getting worse.

Man! I wish I knew that about a month ago. I had an interview down town at 9:30. Not wanting to take the bus home I figured I would leave at 7:30 and drive down. Surely two hours is enough time or so I thought. After fighting and clawing my way through Milton on the 401 and spending 20 minutes on the Yonge / York exit I ended up being 15 minutes late.

I agree with the idea that its more roads we need not just an extended GO Train schedule. As pointed out earlier a train running at 11:00 in the morning will do nothing to help 5:00 grid lock. Also as pointed out ealier the train will only service those who work off the line but what about those who work in all places in between.

Has anyone noticed the traffic has been stupid this week on the 401 eastbound in the mornings? I get on at JSP and usually get off at Mavis and it takes me about 25 mins from my front door to work. All this week, it's taken me like 70 - 75 minutes (and I get off at Mississauga Rd instead to avoid that massive parking lot between Miss + Mavis). WTF.

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Some people are like slinkies. They're really good for nothing but they still bring a smile to your face when you push them down a flight of stairs.

Hi Sandeep,

BINGO!!

You hit it right on the head(!) I was at the Metrolinx round table meeting recently with Chair Carr, and Councillors Best and Cluett. At the meeting it was discussed the scope of the work involved, as well as the billions it will cost. Yes, the province is mired in deficits until 2017 (hopefully ending by then they say), but my question is this for the province: "Why require Milton grow by 100,000 people in a little over 10 years if you (the province) do not have the money to support our growth?"

Let's face the truth, and let common sense prevail. If you the province do not have the money to support growth, to not make growth inconvenience my constituents, then perhaps we should alter the Places To Grow Act (2005) so Milton can say NO to growth.

I want to thank everyone who has participated on this thread so far. The truth is is Milton is still a great place to call home, for many reasons. We all like it here. We are all also in this TOGETHER. So, there are no bad ideas to fix the gridlock.
If trains are not affordable from the provinces point of view (and Metrolinx can easily provide ridership figures), then I expect the province will increase the number of buses. That's what they told me they will be doing in the short-term.

Best Regards,
Tony

Tony Lambert
Town & Regional Councillor
Wards 1,6,7 and 8
http://www.tony-lambert.ca

i'm with Sandeep on this one. although more trains downtown would help, getting to the go station still takes way too long. and trying to get anywhere takes forever. Derry should have been 6 lanes to begin with, to make it 4 lanes and plan to change it to 6 down the road is a bone head move which are costing taxpayers more. the city needs to future plan for the next 10 years or so. not provide what is needed.

brand new 4 lane road in less than a year is facing huge congestion. proves a point that a 6 lane road is what should have been done right away.

Tony

As I understand it the purpose of the round table was to begin the conversation as to how to pay for "The Big Move" and yet nowhere in this thread or the other threads on the topic have I seen any suggestions as to how the $30billion shortfall that is required to deliver the plans in their current form. Let's not forget that this plan is not new it was originally delivered to the Minister in late 2008 over 4 years ago. I quote from the Big Move website: -

"On November 28, 2008, the Metrolinx Board of Directors voted unanimously to adopt this Regional Transportation Plan (RTP), which we have named The Big Move: Transforming Transportation in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area (GTHA). The Big Move is a landmark achievement. The municipal leaders on the Metrolinx Board have come together, with a single voice, to create a common vision for transportation in the region."

I realise it is important that Milton needs be at least addressed in the plan even though it is at this late stage but surely in a $50 billion plan that could be termed as tinkering round the edges of the big picture important as it is to us Miltonians. Perhaps it would help us further our own cause if we not only pointed out the shortfalls but also entered the debate on how to fund the entire Plan including our community needs.

Sure you can play politics and agree with Sandeep that we should stop growth but if we don't find a way to fund the $30 billion it will be a disaster whatever we do locally.

On a side note I find it strange that Milton's needs where ignored as I believe a previous early chair of Metrolinx was a former Mayor of Burlington and therefore a former member of Halton Regional Council.

I would be very interested in hearing your views and those of the other Councillors in how we can fund this $30 billion shortfall without adding to the Provincial deficit.

Regards

Martin

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Martin Capper

HVRA member

www.cappercares.ca
www.MartinCapper.com

Well said Smith

I would add Step 9. Advocate against the only GTA West Corridor road expansion option that proposed dedicated transit lines!

Martin

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Martin Capper

HVRA member

www.cappercares.ca
www.MartinCapper.com

A city that lies in the exurbs of the GTA, like we do, will only ever have a small percentage of people using transit. The overwhelming majority will always use the car, and until everyone realizes and accepts that we're effed. Out here the car is king and always will be.

Lights and roads is where the money needs to go this far out from the core.

Also, after the traffic over the last couple of days, I'd like to point out that I hate all of you. Every last one of you.

(also everything Smith said)

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I would love to hear the provinces answer, if they ever respond

I work from my home office and don't even come into town unless i have to, so don't blame me. I don't know what everyone is complaining about,,,,,,,,,suckers.


(also everything Smith said)

Hi Martin Capper,

Thanks for joining the debate, and adding your knowledge, I greatly appreciate it.

Where do we get $30 billion dollars from for Metrolinx's BIG MOVE plans? The private sector. NOT Mr/Mrs. Taxpayer. Not my constituents. Nope. People are over taxed as it is in Canada.

It is an absolute truth we need more infrastructure in the GTA, and for us the west GTA. Immigration to Canada each year is more than 220,000 people. Most move to the GTA, and eventually come to Milton. We are better for their contributions to our society and economy. But getting to Toronto on the roads during rush hour is a brutal nightmare. Pure psycho horror. I put forward at the round table meeting that corporations, especially the larger ones that conduct business in Halton greatly benefit from the opportunity to locate in Halton. It is they, as good corporate citizens, who should pay, through a rise in their marginal corporate tax rate the costs for infrastructure - transit Martin.

This is not my jurisdiction, just me talking. But the federal and provincial governments who can dedicate say 1% increase in their corporate tax may also make it a credit for them, a way for the corporations (not small ma and pa companies) but ones of 50 employees and more, could maybe get part of the money back at tax time.

Just a thought and suggestions, I'm putting out there. Have a great day.

Best Regards,
Tony

Tony Lambert
Town & Regional Councillor
Wards 1,6,7 and 8
www.tony-lambert.ca

Hello Tony,

What is happening or what is the status of your Britannia Rd. expansion project? I am assuming this will relieve some of the congestion on Derry Rd?

Best Regards.
- CB

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Chuck Barkley, Esq.
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Hi Chuck Barkley,

Happy New Year to you and yours. Thanks for joining the debate.

We start the widening of Britannia road next year, Fall 2014. Eight years ahead of schedule.


Best Regards,
Tony

Tony Lambert
Town & Regional Councillor
Wards 1,6,7 and 8
http://www.tony-lambert.ca

Tony

Taxing the private sector is obviously one option but I wonder what impact that might have on the private sectors' ability to generate new jobs. Nor am I sure that i trust politicians (after ehealth orng etc) to ensure that the money is spent wisely and effectively.

The Reason Foundation and Drew Carey have a few ideas - it's a bit linger than your average youtube video but well worth watching through to the end! http://reason.com/reasontv/2007/10/14/gridlock.

We could take the under capacity HOV lanes already either in existence or on the drawing board and turn them into HOT (High Occupancy Toll) or as they are more correctly named Managed Lanes. Prices could vary depending on time of day or depending on the traffic conditions on the mainline and the true High Occupancy vehicle continues to travel free! Dedicate the tolls collected to improving transit and you begin to get a win win situation. The SR91 featured in the Drew Carey video was a forerunner in doing this but several states have joined this particular bandwagon.

With time of day pricing it also motivates changes in travel patterns and moves to flexi hours. Not sure of the economics but I would bet if tax incentives were available to businesses that change their hours of operation to help mitigate congestion many would take this carrot and thus help reduce congestion and its consequent costs.

Hopefully these thoughts won't turn the thread into an anti 407 rant:-)

Martin

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Martin Capper

HVRA member

www.cappercares.ca
www.MartinCapper.com

Good ideas Martin, thanks however I will ALWAYS be leery of raising the contribution from taxpayers, my constituents through tolls like this. We are over taxed as it is! Corporations are under taxed, residents over taxed!

Best Regards,
Tony

Tony Lambert
Town & Regional Councillor
Wards 1,6,7 and 8
www.tony-lambert.ca