MPP Arnott Advocates For Acton Bypass Of Highway 7 In Halton Hills

Acton bypass meeting set for January 20

(Queen’s Park) – Wellington-Halton Hills MPP Ted Arnott has arranged a meeting with the Minister of Transportation on January 20 to discuss the need for a long-term truck strategy in the Town of Halton Hills, including the possibility of an Acton bypass.

Mr. Arnott approached the Minister of Transportation after Question Period on December 3, asking to meet with him to discuss the problem of truck traffic on Highway 7 through Halton Hills.

“The need for a long-term truck strategy, including the possibility of an Acton Bypass, is strongly supported by Halton Hills Mayor Rick Bonnette and Town Council,” Mr. Arnott told MPPs in a statement in the Legislature on December 10. “I want to commend them for their leadership on this issue.”

The Minister was very receptive to Mr. Arnott’s request and his staff responded to the local MPP’s office within days.

“We have arranged a meeting for January 20 at Queen’s Park,” Mr. Arnott said in the House. “I have invited Mayor Bonnette and Council to join us, as well as Halton Regional Chair Gary Carr. I hope that the other Halton-area MPPs can attend as well.”

Many area residents believe an Acton bypass is badly needed due to the increasing volume of truck traffic making its way along Highway 7 through Acton’s narrow downtown. There are also concerns in Georgetown and Norval.

Earlier in the week, Mr. Arnott had also tabled a Private Member’s Resolution in the Ontario Legislature calling on the Minister of Transportation to prioritize an Acton Bypass by placing it on the Southern Highways program, the Ministry’s 5 year plan for highway construction. He intends to make reference to the resolution in the months ahead to continue to highlight the issue.

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Text of Mr. Arnott’s statement in the Ontario Legislature, December 10, 2015

As Members of this House know, for some time we have been advocating for a Highway 6 Morriston Bypass in the Township of Puslinch. However, Morriston is not the only community in my Riding in need of a bypass.

On December 7, I tabled a resolution in this House calling on the Minister of Transportation to place a Highway 7 Acton Bypass project on the Southern Highways program, the MTO’s 5 year plan for highway construction.

This bypass is badly needed due to the increasing volume of truck traffic that is making its way along Highway 7 through Acton’s narrow downtown.

The need for a long term truck strategy, including the possibility of an Acton Bypass, is strongly supported by Halton Hills Mayor Rick Bonnette and Town Council. I want to commend them for their leadership on this issue.

Mayor Bonnette, Council, and staff are proposing a partnership with the Ministry of Transportation to develop a plan to deal with the problem of truck traffic through urban areas of Halton Hills, including Acton, Georgetown, and Norval.

I support the Town’s efforts and am working with them.

The Government is promising $134 billion in infrastructure spending over a 10 year period. $16 billion has been set aside for the Greater Toronto and Hamilton area. Halton Hills is in the GTA and we need to know where we are on this list.

Last week, I approached the Minister to request a meeting to discuss these issues. The Minister was very receptive, and this week his staff responded to my office. We have arranged a meeting for January 20 at Queen’s Park.

I have invited Mayor Bonnette and Council to join us, as well as Halton Regional Chair Gary Carr. I hope that the other Halton-area MPPs can attend as well.

Working together, we make progress.