Canadians oppose Highway 402 expansion
Public opposition to the expansion of Highway 402 appears to be gaining momentum just as Ontario starts detailed design work.
More than 400 people, including four members of city council, have signed an online petition at GoPetition calling on the Environment Ministry to undertake a full environmental assessment, in hopes the project will be abandoned.
“It’s very personal to me because I live right near the highway,” said Jaggi Singh, who posted the petition on GoPetition’s website.
Widening the highway is “totally unnecessary,” said Singh, a retired Dow employee.
Several years ago, he and three others formally objected to the controversial expansion based on environmental concerns.
Last month, they were told the ministry had rejected their appeals and expedited the project.
The expansion will add two lanes through the city’s core from the Blue Water Bridge plaza to Mandaumin Road.
The first phase, from the plaza to Indian Road, is estimated to cost $26 million, although that figure is being reassessed, said Tanya Cross, a ministry senior project engineer.
Construction could begin as early as 2009, Cross said Monday.
Approval is based on air monitoring before and after the expansion, as well as a truck management plan to address lineups when air quality is poor, Cross said.
“We are still working on that strategy.”
While Ontario pushes ahead with the project, objectors remain hopeful public pressure can make a difference.
“I’ve heard people say it’s too late, but unless we make some noise the ministry will think it’s all hunky-dory,” Singh said.
He’s a member of the Sarnia Environmental Advisory Committee, which passed a motion calling for the project’s halt shortly after the appeals were rejected.
The committee’s recommendation goes to city council June 23.
Singh acknowledged a majority of municipal politicians have already voted in favour of fast-tracking the expansion, but he believes the vote was close enough to be changed.
“I think council is split on this. We want them to look at it again,” he said.
Mayor Mike Bradley has been a vocal opponent to the expansion since discussions started at least three years ago.
“I wish the petition had happened a year ago, but governments have been known to reverse their decisions,” Bradley said.
“It’s good to see some grassroots opposition,” he added. “Whether it’s too late in the game is up to the ministry.”
Another resident living close to the highway is launching a second petition this week, and has asked MPP Bob Bailey to present it at Queen’s Park once he collects several hundred signatures.
Al Weiss said he’s disturbed by the pollution produced by idling trucks waiting to cross the bridge, and believes additional lanes will add more.
“My petition will augment Mr. Singh’s petition,” Weiss said. “It’s for people who might not have access to a computer or aren’t comfortable with one.”
He said he’ll publicize where supporters can add their names in the coming days.
“This is vitally important to my children and my grandchildren. When I learned how poor our air quality already is, things changed for me. We can’t sit around and not say anything,” said Weiss.
Bailey said he’s aware of the petitions and will fulfill his obligation as MPP by presenting them to the government.
However, “The horse has left the barn,” he said. “I believe that with the right checks and balances, the expansion can be environmentally responsible.”
Two more highway lanes will improve traffic flow across the bridge, cut down on idling trucks and assist trade, he said.
“I think it’s time those people who are in favour of the expansion get out and convince the community why this is the right thing to do.”