Hwy. 407 needed sooner rather than later

Hwy. 407 needed sooner rather than later
Sun May 11, 2008

2012? 2013? 2015?

A few dates, some of them extremely optimistic, have been made public regarding the completion of the 50-kilometre extension of Hwy. 407 from Brock Road in Pickering, through Ajax and the rest of south Durham to Hwy. 35/115.

Let's just say, Ajax and Pickering residents want this thing done as soon as possible for a number of reasons. First, highways are not meant to end. When they do, think of Hwy. 404 in York or our own Hwy. 407, it creates a traffic glut at the termination point. As well, given the rush-hour congestion on our roads, the extension is needed to help Ajax, Pickering and other Durham residents get to where they're going more quickly. This is especially true for the poor souls who make long commutes to Mississauga, for example.

It has often been noted that compared to the western GTA, Durham is extremely under-serviced in terms of highways. A finished extension, including two, 10-kilometre links to Hwy. 401, will aid the countless thousands in our communities who spend a lot of time on the road.

The question is when? Durham MPP John O'Toole recently suggested it will be finished in 2015. The provincial and federal governments a year ago committed to a 2013 completion date. Last November, federal finance minister and Whitby MP Jim Flaherty told those at an Oshawa Chamber of Commerce event the planned finish date is 2012. Regional Chairman Roger Anderson has made no secret of the fact he feels the highway extension is vital to continued economic growth in Durham. If you build the highways and connections, business will come. Just look at the new Salem Road/Hwy. 401 intersection and see what it has done for business in that area.

Building that much highway in five years is a monumental task. Apart from the physical building of the roads, there are underpasses and overpasses to be constructed. But, before this, there will be negotiations with property owners to acquire the necessary lands.

West Durham residents believe there should be a heightened sense of urgency to getting this project on the road.

So, while the upper levels of government obfuscate the completion time, Durham commuters, unfortunately, are going to have to wait until politicians get their collective acts together -- not to mention getting their stories straight.

Let's hope that occurs sooner rather than later, so the rubber can finally hit the road.