Re: Article “Barrydowne extension may ease traffic congestion: councillor,” which appeared in the July 8 edition of Northern Life.
Proposed plans for the Barrydowne extension have been much in the news of late, following public meetings in Hanmer and New Sudbury.
This new highway has been identified as one possible alternative to address capacity deficiencies on Municipal Road 80. The objective is to reduce traffic congestion between New Sudbury and the outlying communities to the north.
This is a matter of time and convenience, as well as safety both for private drivers and emergency vehicles.
The question that needs to be asked is this: is the Barrydowne extension the best or only solution to meet this objective? The cost is very high – at least $100 million, and probably much more.
Once built, this highway will need to be maintained out of an already strained municipal roads budget. With such large amounts of tax dollars at stake, it is crucial the best decisions are made about how to use limited resources.
New Sudbury residents will experience much higher levels of traffic through residential areas, changing the character of their neighbourhoods. There will be environmental costs as well.
It is intuitive to think that the answer to too many cars are more and bigger roads. However, practical experience and detailed transportation studies have shown otherwise: simply building more roads brings more traffic.
Alternative solutions need to be explored. What level of public transit service is required by Valley residents for it to be a convenient transportation option for commuting and shopping, and what would be the cost of providing this service?
What planning decisions can be made to alleviate future traffic pressure? How can new residential development in the Valley be made to be amenable to using public transit, and to reducing the need for trips to New Sudbury for daily requirements and recreation?
The most recent push to complete the Barrydowne extension was initiated when nickel prices were high and construction was booming. Times have changed. Money is tighter. No population growth is expected.
Gas prices will only get higher, making it more expensive to drive, and to build and maintain roads. An aging population means more and more residents will be faced with the difficult choice of giving up their car, and looking to other forms of transportation to maintain their independence and quality of life.
As a city, we are striving to be a healthy, sustainable community. As such, the focus will shift from personal vehicles to active transportation and public transit.
A solution is needed that will meet the needs of the future, as well as those of the present, and that make the best use of our limited resources.
Naomi Grant
Chair, Coalition for a Liveable Sudbury