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Ontario Liberal leadership candidate calls for update on Bradford Bypass project

Few details available from York-Simcoe MPP and Transportation Minister Mulroney; 'We'll have more to say in the future'
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MPP Michael Coteau. Supplied Photo.

It has been almost four months ago since York-Simcoe MPP and Minister of Transportation Caroline Mulroney and Premier Doug Ford were in Bradford for the annual Carrotfest and to announce the green light for the Bradford Bypass project. 

In Question Period on Monday, Dec. 9, Mulroney was asked by MPP Michael Coteau about the status of the project and the “delays in promised infrastructure.” 

“The Premier was up in Bradford this August with big fanfare about the Highway 400-404 link. The minister, as the local MPP, said getting the Bradford bypass built was her No. 1 priority. So here’s my question: What progress has actually been made since August? The good people of York-Simcoe would like to know,” demanded Coteau.

Mulroney's response was that it was the Liberal government that cancelled the original environmental assessment (EA) in 2003.

“The people of York-Simcoe and the people of York Region and Simcoe County have been waiting for this important link to connect people and to connect goods between the 400 and the 404. Our government announced plans to restart the EA, and we’re in the process of doing that work. As we move forward with the EA, we’ll have more to say in the future,” said Mulroney. 

Coteau issued a news release that questioned whether the EA is the same one used from 2002, or if the government is working on a new one altogether. 

"There's a big difference in terms of timelines for the people of Bradford if the minister is actually 'restarting' the environmental assessment, rather than simply reviewing it," said Coteau.

"I've visited York-Simcoe several times this year as part of the Ontario Liberal leadership race, and I can tell you the bypass remains the No. 1 issue for local voters and municipal leaders, and they deserve answers from their MPP," the news release stated.

Coteau wants an update on the project and its budget and timeline. 

"What is your plan, and if now, you are going to go all the way back to the drawing board, what does that exactly mean, how long will that take? What is the budget commitment to this project and when do you expect to deliver a plan and consult the community on this issue? Because as far as everyone was concerned, we were going ahead with this," he said.

Mulroney told BradfordToday that the government is in the process of updating the 2002 EA. 

"Yes, our government is updating the 2002 EA for the re-initiation of design work on the Bradford Bypass. We will be taking into consideration aspects of the previous design to ensure that the revised EA takes into account modern realities, such as projected traffic demand and appropriate engineering design.”

In Question Period she noted, "As we move forward with the EA, we’ll have more to say in the future."


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Natasha Philpott

About the Author: Natasha Philpott

Natasha is the Editor for BradfordToday and InnisfilToday. She graduated from the Media Studies program at The University of Guelph-Humber. She lives in Bradford with her husband, two boys and two cats.
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