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Jones gives new minister list of DC transportation needs

February 16, 2018   ·   0 Comments

By Mike Pickford

Almost a month on from Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne’s cabinet reshuffle, Dufferin-Caledon MPP Sylvia Jones is keen to ensure that the new Transportation minister doesn’t forget about key projects and initiatives in the Headwaters region.

Late last week, Ms. Jones reached out to  Kathryn McGarry, urging the MPP for Cambridge to address numerous issues left unaddressed by her predecessor, new economic development and growth minister Steven Del Duca.

“Minister McGarry has an opportunity to address key transportation issues impacting residents in Dufferin-Caledon,” Ms. Jones said. “As the new minister, I encouraged her to do what her predecessor failed to do: fulfill the broken promise for all-day, two-way GO trains, make desperately needed safety improvements to Highway 10, and immediately install an advanced green in Shelburne at the intersection of Highway 89 and County Road 124.”

Ms. Jones noted that she has heard from several local residents disappointed in the lack of movement on proposed improvements to GO Train service between Toronto and Kitchener. The Liberal government promised in 2014 that it would have an all-day, two-way service up and running by 2019. Recent reports from Queen’s Park suggest that service won’t be in place until 2024.

The deteriorating quality of Highway 10, particularly between Camilla and Primrose, has been an ongoing issue for much of Ms. Jones’ decade as our MPP. She once again highlighted the need for investment on that stretch of road, indicating residents had expressed “real concern” regarding the safety of the highway.

In Shelburne, Mayor Ken Bennington and much of Council have spent the best part of 12 months lobbying for an advanced green light at the busy intersection of Highway 89 and County Road 124. Additionally, recently released County of Dufferin traffic data shows a need for an advanced green light at the intersection, says Ms. Jones.

“The Ministry is dragging its feet on installing an advanced green in Shelburne, despite the County of Dufferin having traffic data that shows a need for an advanced green,” Ms. Jones said. “The Minister has committed to more study, but Shelburne residents don’t need more study, they need to have the infrastructure that ensures their roadways are safe to travel.”

She added, “A new minister means a chance for a new course. It is never too late to do the right thing. I encourage the new minister to make these important investments.”

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