wes_von_papineäu
Our Roving Correspondent
- Joined
- Apr 21, 2006
- Messages
- 494
- Reaction score
- 10
- Points
- 0
- Location
- Vancouver, British Columbia
- Country
- Canada
- Display Name
- Wes von Papineäu
THE RECORD (Kitchener, Ontario) 26 June 07 New road hits salamander snag; Endangered species find delays long- planned River Road extension (Jeff Outhit)
Kitchener: A proposed road long planned for south Kitchener is suddenly on hold, after the surprise discovery of rare salamanders in the area.
Planning for the extension of River Road through the natural Hidden Valley area, south of Fairway Road, is to be delayed by at least a year.
This will allow consultants to review impacts on a "threatened species" that was not found in previous biological inventories of the area.
The Record has confirmed that consultants found Jefferson salamanders in parts of Hidden Valley. That's after consultants went searching for the rare amphibians this spring.
Jefferson salamanders are protected by federal and provincial legislation, and are classified as a threatened species in Canada.
Government officials refused to identify the species found in Hidden Valley, saying the secrecy is meant to protect its habitat.
"By not letting people know that it's there, we're hoping to avoid people being made aware of it, then potentially going out and collecting it," said Ken Cornelisse, a water resources co-ordinator with the Ministry of Natural Resources.
He said the ministry was startled by the discovery of the threatened species this spring. "I was surprised by the outcome of the most recent study," Cornelisse said.
Disruption of River Road plans at such a late stage has implications for taxpayers and for drivers.
Construction has now been delayed until 2010, at the earliest.
This assumes the proposed road is not abandoned over salamander concerns.
"The project could do one of three things," said Steve van De Keere, head of transportation expansion for regional government. "It could move ahead. It could move ahead with adjustments. Or it's possible that it could not move ahead, although I would say that's less likely."
Extending River Road to Manitou Drive has been on the books for more than two decades, to help ease chronic traffic congestion on Fairway Road and in south Kitchener.
Estimated costs range between $42 million and $66 million.
Even if the proposed road goes ahead, it now appears regional government has missed its chance to fully co-ordinate it with Ministry of Transportation plans to widen Highway 8 in the same area, starting next year.
Instead, highway widening and the construction of a highway interchange at River Road would happen at different times and under different contracts.
This is likely to increase taxpayer costs, while extending driving disruptions.
"It's looking unlikely that we'll be able to get the entire (River Road) interchange included as part of the ministry's tender," van De Keere said.
"What we've asked the ministry is to design Highway 8 so it doesn't preclude the interchange being built."
http://www.therecord.com/home_page_local_story/home_page_local_story_1083047.html
{Paperboy note: Your Canuck techo-luddite finally 'followed the isntructions' and is back in press proction ... pls note that I can't seem to get my same and avatar to show up as before ... but ... at least the press will get through. Cheers all, Wes}
Kitchener: A proposed road long planned for south Kitchener is suddenly on hold, after the surprise discovery of rare salamanders in the area.
Planning for the extension of River Road through the natural Hidden Valley area, south of Fairway Road, is to be delayed by at least a year.
This will allow consultants to review impacts on a "threatened species" that was not found in previous biological inventories of the area.
The Record has confirmed that consultants found Jefferson salamanders in parts of Hidden Valley. That's after consultants went searching for the rare amphibians this spring.
Jefferson salamanders are protected by federal and provincial legislation, and are classified as a threatened species in Canada.
Government officials refused to identify the species found in Hidden Valley, saying the secrecy is meant to protect its habitat.
"By not letting people know that it's there, we're hoping to avoid people being made aware of it, then potentially going out and collecting it," said Ken Cornelisse, a water resources co-ordinator with the Ministry of Natural Resources.
He said the ministry was startled by the discovery of the threatened species this spring. "I was surprised by the outcome of the most recent study," Cornelisse said.
Disruption of River Road plans at such a late stage has implications for taxpayers and for drivers.
Construction has now been delayed until 2010, at the earliest.
This assumes the proposed road is not abandoned over salamander concerns.
"The project could do one of three things," said Steve van De Keere, head of transportation expansion for regional government. "It could move ahead. It could move ahead with adjustments. Or it's possible that it could not move ahead, although I would say that's less likely."
Extending River Road to Manitou Drive has been on the books for more than two decades, to help ease chronic traffic congestion on Fairway Road and in south Kitchener.
Estimated costs range between $42 million and $66 million.
Even if the proposed road goes ahead, it now appears regional government has missed its chance to fully co-ordinate it with Ministry of Transportation plans to widen Highway 8 in the same area, starting next year.
Instead, highway widening and the construction of a highway interchange at River Road would happen at different times and under different contracts.
This is likely to increase taxpayer costs, while extending driving disruptions.
"It's looking unlikely that we'll be able to get the entire (River Road) interchange included as part of the ministry's tender," van De Keere said.
"What we've asked the ministry is to design Highway 8 so it doesn't preclude the interchange being built."
http://www.therecord.com/home_page_local_story/home_page_local_story_1083047.html
{Paperboy note: Your Canuck techo-luddite finally 'followed the isntructions' and is back in press proction ... pls note that I can't seem to get my same and avatar to show up as before ... but ... at least the press will get through. Cheers all, Wes}
