Decades after it was first proposed, it appears the the Highway 6 realignment project near Morriston could finally be moving forward.
The office of John Gerretsen, Minister of the Environment, has confirmed the Highway 6 environmental assessment will be sent to a cabinet committee, and subsequently the entire cabinet, for a decision in January.
The announcement is welcome News for Puslinch residents, notably councillor Susan Fielding, who has lobbied for the Highway 6 project for years. Yet while optimistic, councillors are wary of more delays.
“I hope this is the real deal,” Fielding said via email on Dec. 22. “Once passed, the project will be passed to MTO London office for detailed design, property acquisition and eventually construction.”
Puslinch councillors were informed of the MOE’s plans to proceed by Wellington Halton-Hills MPP Ted Arnott.
“Yesterday I received a call from John Gerretsen’s office informing me that the EA for the Highway 6 realignment project is to go to a cabinet committee and the full cabinet in January,” Arnott wrote to council.
“Today I spoke to the minister personally again. He confirmed the same information. Nevertheless, I urged him again to meet wit the delegation from council at OGRA/ROMA in the event there are still some outstanding issues.”
Puslinch township has requested meetings with both the MOE and the Ministry of Transportation to discuss the Highway 6 realignment and also MTO plans for a new Highway 24 that could pass directly through Puslinch.
Those meetings will likely occur at the Ontario Good Roads Association and Rural Ontario Municipal Association joint conference in February.
But for now, township officials seem happy a decision may be imminent.
“The passing of the EA is a hugely positive step. This means that many years of lobbying by the citizens and council of Puslinch has finally paid off,” Fielding said.
“Hopefully, the MTO will move ahead quickly with plans for construction … Since the traffic delays have such a negative effect on our economy, I think the province would be wise to get moving on this very important link between Hamilton and Guelph and its connection from the 403 to the 401.
“There will also be so many other great spin-offs from the realignment. Morriston will actually become a walkable, quiet village.
“Safety, both for motorists and pedestrians, and in particular children who stand on the side of Ontario’s deadliest highway waiting for school buses, will be greatly enhanced.”
