|
(Posted
9 a.m., Oct. 12)
Local MPP calls on community to mobilize against interprovincial
bridge
By
Fred Sherwin
Orléans Online
Ottawa-Orléans
MPP Phil McNeely is doing his level best to prevent an
interprovincial bridge from being built in Orléans,
but he can't do it by himself, at least that was the message
he delivered at a public meeting Thursday night.
Speaking
to an audience of about 100 people, McNeely made a case
against a bridge and in favour of fast-tracking light
rail to Trim Road.
"The
bridge will increase traffic and negate the improvements
that are currently being made to the split and the Queensway.
If we canceled the bridge it would free up $250 million
which would go a long way to extending the light rail,"
said McNeely.
When
questioned about his government's ongoing support for
the Interprovincial Crossings Environment Assessment by
Innes Ward Coun. Rainer Bloess and Conservative nominee-elect
Andrew Lyster, McNeely admitted Orléans has been
taking "a pounding" from all three levels of
government, but that he would continue lobbying his Liberal
government colleagues against a bridge.
"I've
never been shy to speak to the Premier, or (Infrastructure
Minister) Bob Chiarelli, or Madeleine Meilleur. I've been
making my opinion heard for a long time to the point where
I don't Bob Chiarelli likes me very much," said McNeely
before challenging his adversaries to join with him in
trying to block a bridge.
"I
want to work with you in trying to stop this thing, (but)
the community needs to get organized and not just sit
back,"
As
for the next step, McNeely hinted that the Greater Orléans
Economic Develop.m.ent Council, under former Orleans Chamber
of Commerce executive director Larry Ring, might take
the lead on mobilizing a grassroots campaign against a
bridge.
"I
think this is something the GOEDC could take on. Larry
has expressed an interest in doing something, but it will
take concerned residents working with the local business
community to really make an impact," said McNeely.
The
Interprovincial Crossings study group is supposed to release
a preferred corridor for a bridge by the end of November,
but it's looking more and more like the announcement could
be delayed until the spring to allow for the completion
of several smaller studies dealing with traffic, air quality
and the potential economic impact of a bridge.
(This
story was made possible thanks to their generous support
of our local business
partners.)
Return
to top
Return
to Front Page
|
