County looks at Transportation

Currently, approximately 1 million trips are taken by residents in Simcoe County, using all modes of transportation.
By 2031, that is expected to increase by 39%, and said consultant Kevin Jones, “the auto is unfortunately going to be the primary mode of transportation” – which means that roads will be at or over capacity, even Hwy. 400, which is expected to be widened to 5 lanes each way.
The County of Simcoe has undertaken a Transportation Master Plan Study to address problems of congestion, the movement of goods, and the demand by the public for choice in their mode of transportation, including transit.
To address congestion, said Jones, “You can either manage the demand, or increase the supply.” The Master Plan study recommends:
. Support for “Active Transportation”(trails and bike paths) – even though these have only local importance.
. Support for Transit - encouraging municipalities to “embrace” public transit, improving inter-city bus and rail service, and partnering with private transit providers like Northland and Greyhound. If Highway 427 is now on a back burner, Jones suggested, “Let’s invest in the rail system”, and restore the line from Bolton to Barrie.
. Manage demand by promoting carpooling and other alternatives, in particular working with the area’s major employers, promoting ride-matching services for car-poolers, and ensuring that high speed internet is available across the County – to allow more residents to work at home.
. Develop a plan for the movement of goods. “All County roads should continue to be used as truck routes, as good movement corridors,” Jones said, also calling for protection and preservation of road/rail interfaces, “for future opportunities, should the market start to change.”
. Road Network Optimization – improvements to County roads, including new turn lanes, traffic lights and signage for emergency routes, and an update of the County Road classification system. The County is looking at uploading 5 and 10 Sideroads, as County roads, while returning Canal Road to BWG, once the existing Canal Rd. interchange at Hwy. 400 is closed and a new interchange constructed at the 5th Line.
. Growth-related road improvements – including widening of Hwy. 400.
. The document identifies a need for a Barrie Bypass “to protect goods movement”; a Collingwood Bypass connecting to Blue Mountain; a Cookstown Bypass – and the Bradford Bypass linking the 400 and 404. “The Bypass needs to be back on the radar,” Jones said.
The Master Plan was presented at the County of Simcoe public meeting on April 26, at the Nottawasaga Inn. Innisfil resident Barb Baguley asked if the County would help fund additional GO train stations, and expand the use of rail lines for the transportation of people and goods - and added, “I’m interested to know how we’ll get the people out of the cars.”
“Yes, it is a challenge,” said Jones, suggesting that the County’s primary role would be to provide information on transit, and promote alternatives to the automobile. He said that the County would be willing to partner with the Province or private companies, to expand service and establish new stations and routes.
Baguley also raised the issue of the Bradford Bypass, calling the provincial decision to scrap the route “an unfortunate error in judgement.” Jones agreed, noting that the County is trying to promote several of the By-passes, to protect existing communities, and promote the movement of goods and traffic. Without the Bypass, “some of the local roads are going to take the hit.”.