Thread by @JoeljWittnebel

This story focuses on how the #BradfordBypass appears to be going the way of #Highway413. A slow souring of public opinion, then opposition, then political pushback.

thepointer.com/article/2021-1…

The premise was based on the fact that 7 municipalities around Lake Simcoe put forward requests in 2021 for further study of the Bypass, not to mention the growing public sentiment AGAINST the highway project — Oracle poll found 48% of voters in 3 key ridings DON'T support it

Those following the #Highway413 project will remember a very similar narrative unfolding over a number of years after that highway project was resurrected by the PCs in 2018 — eerily similar.

This story from @PointerBrampton and @PointerSauga came out last week so I didn't have this information, but it VERY much fits in with it. As public backlash grows, politicians are becoming increasingly wary of touching it.

The ON Liberals vowed to quash #Highway413 if elected, but when I asked them last year about the #BradfordBypass, Leader @StevenDelDuca had this to say:

There was NO commitment to quash the project. BUT, that has now changed. In this release from @lakesimcoewatch Del Duca commits to cancelling the project if it does not meet environmental standards

…enlivingcommunications.createsend.com/t/ViewEmailArc…

@StevenDelDuca quote:

I'm no expert, but based on climate change targets alone, this project would immediately be cancelled upon second look. Add in the studies of induced demand and the potential alternatives — which those in the area have told me are VERY viable — these studies would kill the Bypass