Decision expected soon on Markham bypass
City will not allow road to be built through Scarborough: MPP
With the decision on the Markham bypass expected in less than a week, residents gathered Tuesday, May 13, night for a community meeting to reiterate their opposition to the plan.
"We don't want the Don Cousens Parkway shoved into northeast Toronto through the Rouge," said Jim Robb of Friends of the Rouge Watershed.
Robb was one of more than 60 residents who showed up to the meeting hosted by Scarborough-Rouge River MPP Bas Balkissoon.
He was updating residents on the environmental assessment process regarding York Region's desire to connect Don Cousens Parkway from the 407 to south of Steeles Avenue where it would connect to Morningside Avenue. The proposed route would have the road crossing the Rouge River and its Morningside Creek tributary in Scarborough.
Residents are concerned about the environmental implications of a new crossing and the large increase in traffic the road would mean for their community.
Ontario Environment Minister John Gerretsen is scheduled to give a decision on the environmental assessment May 20, or shortly thereafter.
Balkissoon tried to reassure residents by pointing out that even if the minister approves it, the road won't be able to make its way into Scarborough without the City of Toronto's approval. The city has repeatedly stated it does not support York's proposal for extending Morningside Avenue.
"The minister of environment does not have the power to force a municipality to build a road it does not want to build," he said.
Rod McPhail, Toronto's director of transportation planning, was also on hand to repeat the city's position.
"I've stated the City of Toronto's case very clearly...The City of Toronto will not build the road or accept the road as it's being proposed," he said.
"I have a really good feeling that they are not going to approve the recommended alignment because we won't accept it."
While Toronto's refusal to accept the proposed alignment was positive for those opposed, Robb hopes the province makes a firm decision and denies the environmental assessment report instead of turning the decision over to the city.
"What happened tonight is this was an attempt to pass the buck," Robb said, adding it's not up to the City of Toronto to refuse the bypass.
"If the minister doesn't refuse it he's saying I'm picking York Region's rights over Toronto's," Robb said.
Not all in attendance were against the bypass.
"I'm for the Markham bypass and I am for the alignment with Morningside," said Steve Szilard.
He believes it would divert traffic around the Morningside Heights neighbourhood, not increase it.
Riitta Upshall , president of the Morningside Heights Resident's Association, is against the bypass. She would prefer to see commuter trains added to the rail line that runs parallel to the proposed bypass. She said it would better environmentally and quicker for commuters.
After two years of fighting the bypass plans, now all she can do is wait.
"I'm hopeful, but cautious (for the 20th)," she said. "We've done everything we can to convince (the province)."
