City of Burlington objects to highway expansion through the Greenbelt

For Immediate Release:
July 16, 2010

BURLINGTON, ON—The City of Burlington will not endorse the Niagara to Greater Toronto Area (NGTA) corridor proposed by provincial Ministry of Transportation (MTO).

City Council on July 15 approved a staff report that objects to the proposed corridor that connects to Highway 407 in Burlington. The city also is advocating the combination of the NGTA and Greater Toronto Area West studies.

“This new highway proposal will leave a permanent scar on the escarpment and greenbelt in our city,” said Mayor Cam Jackson. “The Niagara Escarpment simply must be protected and we need assurances from the provincial government that they will abandon this ill-planned highway option.”

The MTO began phase one of the NGTA study in December 2006 to look at transportation problems and opportunities in the Niagara and the GTA for 2031. Phase one of the study is looking at all transportation options (including rail, road, transit and marine) to improve transportation between Niagara and the GTA.

After a number of rounds of public consultation, the MTO put forth a proposal in June 2010. The plan included the development of a new highway corridor that would connect Highway 403 in Ancaster to Highway 407 near Walkers Line in Burlington.

The staff report approved by City Council on July 15 stated that the new highway would likely create more urbanization pressure in north Burlington. The highway would also cut across the Niagara Escarpment and the Ontario Greenbelt area in Burlington which would be in conflict with the City of Burlington’s official plan, the Niagara Escarpment Plan and the Provincial Greenbelt Plan.

For more information on the NGTA corridor or to view the staff report, visit www.burlington.ca.


Communications Contact:
Brett McNally
Communications Assistant
905-335-7600, ext. 7483
mcnallyb@burlington.ca

Media Contact:
Scott Stewart
General Manager of Community Services
905-335-7600, ext. 7839
stewarts@burlington.ca