For
Immediate Release
February 22, 2005
Queen’s Park – Lanark-Carleton MPP Norm Sterling once again asked McGuinty’s Minister of Transportation Harinder Takhar when construction would begin on the widening of Highway 7 between Carleton Place and Highway 417.
In July 2004 Minister Takhar told Sterling that construction would not likely begin for at least a year. Now eight months later, he is saying once again that it will take up to another 12 months before construction will begin. “At this rate, that stretch of highway will never be widened and residents of Lanark-Carleton will continue to be at risk,” said Sterling. “I won’t sit by and let that happen. I will continue to push the McGunity Liberal government to stand by their promise to widen Highway 7.”
With five members of Lanark County Council watching from the Member’s Gallery, Sterling asked Minister Takhar why his office refused them a meeting at this week’s Good Roads Association Conference despite the fatal accident which occurred on this stretch of highway on January 24.
When
he was Transportation Minister, Sterling announced $85 million for the Highway 7
four-laning, between Carleton Place and Highway 417.
Since the McGuinty Liberals came to power Sterling has used statements
and questions in the Legislature as well as letters to push for this project. As
a result the Minister of Transportation has said they are committed to the
project, however his estimates for when construction will begin keep changing.
Petitions
calling upon the McGuinty government to start construction are available through
Sterling’s constituency office or at www.normsterling.com.
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For more information, please call Lanark-Carleton MPP Norm Sterling at: (416) 314-7900