LIBERAL LEADER SAYS HE WILL 'LOOK AT' EXPANDING 403

In 2017, when he was Ontario's minister of transportation, Steven Del Duca gave Hamilton councillors hope that the province would finally expand Highway 403 from the Brant/ Hamilton border to the Queen Elizabeth Way interchange to alleviate the persistent traffic jams.

In a March 2017 letter, Del Duca told council widening Highway 403 was on the province's radar over a five-year period, embedding the project into Ontario's 2016-2020 budget timeline.

But during an April 18 news conference at Battlefield House Museum and Park, Del Duca said if there is a "justification" to expand Highway 403, or any other highway, he will "take a look at it."

"I know the existing infrastructure, like the 403 and the (Lincoln Alexander) Parkway and others across the province, need constant attention," said Del Duca, who was joined by Hamilton-area Liberal MPP candidates, including Jason Farr, currently Hamilton's Ward 2 city councillor.

"I admit I haven't seen exactly what has been done over the last four years on these two specific highways. I would be happy to take a look at it."

Ontario announced in February it had hired an engineering consultant to begin a preliminary design and class environmental assessment update study for the widening of Highway 6 South. The expansion will increase the lanes from two to four over a nine-kilometre segment between Highway 403 and Upper James Street.

Ancaster Coun. Lloyd Ferguson said the Highway 6 project will only add to the

Highway 403 congestion problem, especially during peak morning and afternoon times.

Hamilton councillors over the years have urged the province to address traffic congestion along Highway 403, the Lincoln Alexander Parkway and Red Hill Parkway, especially at the "pinch points" where the various roadways converge.

Ontario Ministry of Transportation officials stated recently there are no plans to widen Highway 403.

In his 2017 letter to council, Del Duca said the Niagara to Greater Toronto Area Corridor Planning and Environmental Assessment Study in 2007 recommended adding another lane to Highway 403 in each direction, from King Street/ Main Street to Jerseyville, and the widening of the QEW by an additional lane in each direction from the Red Hill Valley Parkway interchange to Highway 406.

Del Duca also stated to councillors five years ago that the ministry would initiate two environmental assessment and preliminary design studies at the Highway 403/QEW and Highway 6/Highway 403 interchanges.

Meanwhile, Del Duca reiterated during the recent news conference that a Liberal government would enact a Vision Zero strategy for the province, to improve pedestrian safety, as Hamilton has already seen eight pedestrian fatalities in 2022. There were nine pedestrian deaths in all of 2021 and four in 2020.

"Over the years, we have been blessed with a good road safety record, but clearly there is more work that needs to be done," said

Del Duca.

Farr, who is also the acclaimed Liberal candidate for Hamilton East—Stoney Creek, said what is needed is "greater enforcement" by police to stop dangerous driving.

Council, he said, adopted a Vision Zero strategy, which aims for safer streets through improved education, enforcement and engineering, to eliminate all fatalities or serious injuries on roadways, in 2014. "We have been successful," said Farr, in reducing serious injuries.

He called the eight pedestrian deaths so far, including that of famed Hamilton conductor Boris Brott, in 2022, an "anomaly." He said since adopting Vision Zero, the city has "moved the yardsticks," spending millions of dollars on road safety measures, such as protected bike lanes, bump outs and speed humps.

In addition, Del Duca took aim at Doug Ford, for making such "reckless" decisions over the years, such as cutting public health funding before the COVID-19 pandemic impacted people's lives. Del Duca said Ford has "undermined and underfunded" front-line educators; and he has made "life worse" for workers and their families, including by rolling back paid sick leave days.

"Hope is really on its way," he said.