Action needed now on Highway 7, MPP Arnott says in Legislature

Waterloo-Wellington MPP Ted Arnott has called upon the Provincial Government to fast track the construction of the four lane Highway 7 from Guelph to Kitchener.

“We need a new Highway 7 for reasons of safety, and the efficient movement of goods and people through and within our growing and dynamic communities in Waterloo Region and Wellington County,” Mr. Arnott declared in the Ontario Legislature on December 2nd.

Mr. Arnott informed the House of a recent meeting which took place with the Minister of Transportation, the Hon. Harinder Takhar, and the Minister for Infrastructure Renewal, the Hon. David Caplan at Queen’s Park on November 24th. Present at the meeting were Waterloo Regional Chair Ken Seiling, City of Kitchener Mayor Carl Zehr, Woolwich Township Mayor Bill Strauss, City of Guelph Mayor Kate Quarrie, and Guelph/Eramosa Township Mayor Clint Martin.

“Our elected community leaders made a compelling case that this project needs to move forward,” Mr. Arnott told the Legislature.

“This much needed project, which has been talked about and studied for a generation, is currently undergoing further study and public consultation involving environmental issues,” he stated. “While we are all concerned about the environmental impact of these major projects, the Ministry of the Environment must not allow the Highway 7 job to become bogged down in unnecessary bureaucratic delay.”

The Waterloo-Wellington Transportation Action Plan includes the new four lane Highway 7 between Guelph and Kitchener. Mr. Arnott continues to raise the need for transportation improvements throughout Waterloo-Wellington.