| MPP Arnott Asks the Minister of Transportation
to Conduct Major Study of Highway 7 and 8
Waterloo-Wellington MPP Ted Arnott called for a corridor study on Highway 7/8 from Kitchener to Stratford in the Ontario Legislature during Question Period on October 29, 2001.
Citing concerns expressed to him by Wilmot Mayor Wayne Roth, his Council and residents about the number of fatal accidents on the rural portion of the Highway between New Hamburg and Stratford, Mr. Arnott directed his question to the Minister of Transportation, Brad Clark.
“We recognize that the ministry is planning to take action to improve safety at the intersection of Highways 7 and 8 and Regional Road 1, work that should be undertaken immediately. But we also want to ensure that every possible avenue is explored in terms of meeting the best possible standards for safety on this stretch of provincial highway.”
“Based on my consultations with my constituents, I believe that a corridor study, which is a major study encompassing and addressing safety, traffic, increases in volume and growth, is needed for this highway. Will the minister initiate a major corridor study of Highways 7 and 8 between Kitchener and Stratford?” Mr. Arnott asked the Minister.
In his reply, the minister acknowledged the consultations on highway safety and outlined some planned actions.
“I'm pleased to inform the member that an assessment is in fact being initiated to identify what improvements need to be made on Highways 7 and 8 from New Hamburg to Stratford. In August this year, staff from my ministry met with the member himself and the mayor of Wilmot and reviewed various locations of concern along Highways 7 and 8.”
“As a result of this meeting, staff of my ministry initiated an operational review of the Highways 7 and 8 and Regional Road 1 intersection. This review has resulted in some interim improvements that can be implemented over the short term. The ministry will also be initiating a study shortly to address roadway conditions between New Hamburg and Shakespeare to identify long term improvements,” the Minister responded.
Mr. Arnott also asked a follow up question on behalf of his colleague, Perth-Middlesex M.P.P. Bert Johnson. He asked the Minister for a report on the timeline of the review that is underway. The Minister acknowledged the importance of the matters under review but stated that he could not commit to a completion date for work needed.
“I thank the Minister for addressing safety on Highway 7 and 8 and for the consultation that Ministry of Transportation staff have conducted with the Township of Wilmot,” Mr. Arnott later acknowledged.
“I appreciate that there are plans for studies at points in the area of concern, such as New Hamburg to Shakespeare, however, I still believe that the Government needs to look at the whole corridor from the City of Kitchener, through the Township of Wilmot and on to the City of Stratford,” he added.
“There are more immediate safety concerns along with an increasing volume of traffic and a unique rural-urban mix. That which is short term needs to be handled as soon as possible, and that which is long term requires the range and broad scope of a corridor study,” he concluded.
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