The Spectator Sept 26.
A Ministry of Transportation representative told Hamilton city
council it will probably be about eight years before land acquisition
can begin for the proposed Mid-Peninsula Highway from Fort Erie
to Burlington.
Fred Leech, the MTO manager in charge of the
project, answered questions from Councillors yesterday after presenting
an overview of the planning for the highway and of the needs assessment
process. The exact route hasn't been picked. "There are farm
families whose lives are on hold for eight years," Councillor
Murray Ferguson pointed out at the hearings sub-committee meeting,
referring to those who could eventually face expropriation or
bisection of their properties.
Councillor Dave Braden expressed skepticism about
the consultation process, and asked what problem the proposed
road addresses. The ministry says the highway is needed for reasons
including growth in population, employment, trade and tourism.
The committee also heard from Dave Eckersley
of Citizens Opposed to Paving the Escarpment (COPE). Eckersley
said the proposed highway will be expensive, will damage the environment,
and will affect people's health.
A staff report and recommendation on council's
position is expected at the end of October.
