Building a new Highway 7 between Kitchener and Guelph should be a priority project for the province, says Mayor Cam Guthrie, who is calling on the Ministry of Transportation to move forward with plans for a four-lane highway connecting Guelph and Kitchener before other highway projects.
“Given how important this project is to economic prosperity and safe, efficient transportation in Guelph and neighbouring cities, I ask that you re-prioritize it and secure its timely completion,” Guthrie wrote in the letter to Minister of Transportation Caroline Mulroney, dated Feb. 28 and publicly released on Friday.
“The City of Guelph is deeply invested in the expansion and success of inter-regional transportation initiatives in our community that will enable more efficient movement of people, goods, and services.”
Along with improvements along the Hanlon Expressway, a new Highway 7 would support economic growth and create efficient inter-regional travel, Guthrie’s letter states.
“These projects are vital to ensure the city can deliver on its strategic plan and transportation master plan objectives of providing a sustainable, resilient transportation system.”
In 2020, the province announced it was moving forward with plans to construct an 18-kilometre, four-lane highway with seven interchanges connecting the Hanlon Expressway with Highway 7 in Kitchener, including new bridges over the Grand River.
Last November, the Ministry of Transportation confirmed its plans moving forward, something that’s been talked about since the 1960s. However, last month, Mulroney would only promise incremental advancement of the project.
Guthrie and other city officials were “surprised” by the latest announcement.
“The city has been very pleased with the level of coordination and engagement with MTO staff on the Highway 7 project over the past few years,” Guthrie explains. “For example, the city has hosted monthly project meetings with MTO staff to coordinate and schedule major infrastructure work affected by the interchange project, and to ensure aligned communications to the community.”
The Ministry of Transportation project website explains the highway plan is in the midst of phase two of three. Phase two includes preparation of a design and and construction report.
“Start of construction is subject to approvals and funding,” the site states.
Phase three includes upgrades to the Hanlon Expressway and Highway 7 intersection and two species at risk habitat replacements “anticipated as early as 2022,” along with Guelph Junction Railway modifications “anticipated as early (as) 2023.
“As you know, community interest is high on this project and the recent news has led to questions and confusion about its status,” Guthrie concludes his letter. “I look forward to continuing to work with you to move this project forward in a timely way.”
