For
Immediate Release
February 22, 2006
Queen’s Park,
Toronto – After much pressure from
Lanark-Carleton MPP Norm Sterling, it appears that Transportation Minister
Harinder Takhar is finally starting work to widen Highway 7 between Highway 417
and Carleton Place.
In a meeting with members of
Lanark County Council, Takhar’s Parliamentary Assistant Phil McNeely said that
the first phase of project, from Highway 417 to Jikinson Side Road, would be
going to tender this spring and is expected to be completed by the fall of 2007.
He went on to say that work would continue until the highway was four
lanes right to Carleton Place.
“I
would like to say I am pleased to hear that work will be starting but the
McGuinty government has committed to start dates in the past and they have come
and gone,” said Sterling. “If
this government had stuck to my original plan construction would be well
underway and the whole project would be finished by next year instead of the
just first phase.”
Sterling, at the time
Ontario’s Minister of Transportation, announced this project in January 2003,
with an anticipated completion date of 2007.
Since the McGuinty government took power in October 2003, they have
repeatedly said they are committed to this project but delayed the start of
construction. Throughout this time
Sterling has written and spoken to Minister Takhar about the importance of this
project, made statements and asked questions about it in the Legislature and
introduced petitions calling upon the government to get this project started.
Sterling further learned that
in an answer to his concerns regarding the safety of this stretch of highway,
the Ministry is planning to install temporary traffic lights on Highway 7 at
Ashton Station Road and Cemetery Side Road.
“I am pleased to see that
this government has noticed just how busy and dangerous this stretch of highway
has become,” said Sterling. “If
the highway had been widened as originally planned this temporary solution may
not have been required, however I happily support any initiative that makes this
road safer for my constituents.”
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For more information, please call Lanark-Carleton MPP Norm Sterling at: (416) 314-7900