Councillors here have some concerns about why solutions for development of an east boundary road for Cambridge were left until the city had expanded right to the edge of Townline Road.
Council was recently informed a small portion of the southwest corner of Puslinch Township is included in the study area, as the Region of Waterloo works to potentially create a new transportation network in the area where Cambridge borders both Puslinch and North Dumfries townships.
The majority of the study area is divided between the city of Cambridge and the Township of North Dumfries.
Marcos Kroker, a senior project manager for the Region of Waterloo, stated the need for a future “east boundary” road has been documented in several previous transportation studies dating back to the 1960s.
In addition, part of the county’s Official Plan also identifies a “proposed major roadway” in the southwest corner of the township.
The purpose of the Class EA study is to re-confirm the need for an east boundary transportation facility and identify a specific corridor for a potential road.
Various routes will be examined; both within and outside of Puslinch.
Councillor Wayne Stokley asked whether this is the same issue as the once-proposed new commuter highway in the same area.
“I’m wondering if going through this study is setting a tone or precedent for the eventuality of something else bigger coming in,” Stokley said, adding he wanted more information from the Region on the direction being sought.
“Does this have anything to do with the potential of going elsewhere with an expanded complex of roads?”
While the issue itself may not be new, Mayor Dennis Lever said it was new to this term of council.
County planner Aldo Salis said he and Puslinch roads superintendent Don Creed did meet with the region.
Salis said for decades the region has proposed work on the east boundary road and recently received approval for work on a west boundary road.
The work would create a southern loop roadway for the south end of Cambridge and parts of North Dumfries.
“There has always been a proposal to extend Townline Road south – and it has been in the county official plan since 1999.”
Salis did not believe there was any link between it and the proposed “424” highway.
“This is strictly for the region’s road system,” said Salis.
Stokley said he knew Cambridge was a proponent of creating a smoother flow of traffic around the city.
He was somewhat reassured there would be local participation in the study, but was concerned with the potential “dragon rearing its head.”
Lever also had concerns with the study for the regional road.
“If this has been in the works for decades,” Lever asked, “why wasn’t it built before Cambridge built houses to the outer edge of Townline Road (the boundary between Cambridge and Puslinch).”
Lever asked why something was not done while Cambridge still had control of the land within its own boundaries.
“Indeed there are environmental concerns along Townline Road, but they exist on both sides of the road,” the mayor said.
Councillor Susan Fielding shared those concerns.
“It seems like poor planning from the city,” she said.
Fielding added it was not a good situation when neighbours are called in to help fix a problem they created.
“Fix your own problems first and not include everyone else in them,” she said.
Fielding added, “I would hope the impact on Puslinch would be as little as possible.”
