Five termini considered for Highway 427
By ALAN LICZYK Staff Reporter

The Ministry of Transportation Ontario is considering five possible terminus locations for the extension of Highway 427.

Ministry representatives recently provided Caledon council with an update on the 427 transportation corridor environmental assessment.

The analysis area is in western Vaughan, south of the greenbelt and north of Highway 7.

The environmental assessment study was initiated in April 2006 and is scheduled for completion in mid-2009. The study is designed to address the short-term transportation problems related to the current Highway 427 terminus at Highway 7, and to improve truck traffic accessibility to and from the CPR Vaughan intermodal facility. The study will also identify and protect property for the proposed transportation corridor, allowing developments to move ahead outside of the corridor.

Michael Bricks of Ecoplans told council the five terminus location alternatives include Langstaff Road, Rutherford Road, Major Mackenzie Drive, Nashville Road and the Mayfield Road extension. He added they're focusing on Rutherford Road, Major Mackenzie Drive and Mayfield Road.

Three rounds of public information centres will be held. The first was held April 25 at Le Jardin Special Events Centre in Vaughan. The second PIC will be held at the end of 2007.

Bricks told Councillor Annette Groves the earliest construction start would be 2013 or 2014.

Groves said she didn't see a PIC for the Caledon area even though they requested it last year. She also commented there's no co-ordination with the GTA west corridor. She believes the province is being very shortsighted and noted the Town asked for Highway 427 to be extended up to Highway 9.

"I am really disappointed," she said.

Councillor Gord McClure agreed the 427 should go straight through.

Mayor Marolyn Morrison told him the province doesn't want the highway to go on to the Oak Ridges Moraine and greenbelt area.

Councillor Jason Payne said they need to push this as fast as they can because it will be better for commuters on the road.