York-Simcoe’s provincial election candidates do not agree on everything, but there is one project they all support — the Highway 400-404 connecting link.
The 16-kilometre, four-lane rural controlled access freeway would connect Bradford West Gwillimbury and East Gwillimbury.
Liberal Loralea Carruthers was the first of the local candidates to publicly support the building of the extension.
“I live here, unlike my Conservative opponent, so I sit in traffic all the time. I know we need the connection for commuters driving from Highway 404 through to Bradford. Local roads cannot handle this traffic any longer,” she said.
Carruthers said she wants the link put on the new government’s capital plan and have design work funded in its first budget.
“From there, we could set construction timelines in consultation with the engineers, town councils and other experts, but the first step as our next MPP is to deliver the design funding in the first budget so we can get started,” she said.
As well, Carruthers said she supports continued investment to reach “all-day, two-way, frequent GO train service north of Aurora … along with the parking to go with it.”
Progressive Conversative candidate Caroline Mulroney said the connecting link needs to be built in a timely manner.
“One of the biggest issues I hear about when it comes to getting around is that people are spending more time in their cars and less with their families because of increasing congestion on our roads. Residents need and deserve work-life balance,” she said, adding she is committed to seeing the project get underway and ensuring funding.
“Seeing the connecting link built will also go a long way in encouraging businesses to invest in establishing and growing their operations in York Region, since it will allow them a path to getting their goods to market more efficiently.”
Dave Szollosy, York-Simcoe’s NDP candidate, said the link will play an important role in the growth of the community and relieving congestion.
“After decades of back and forths by various governments on this project, I understand the importance to invest in much-needed infrastructure across Ontario, both for Bradford East Gwillimbury and Georgina,” he said.
“(Ontario PC Leader) Doug Ford’s vow to slash $6 billion across the board and ‘leave no stone unturned’ puts the services that York-Simcoe residents rely on at risk and will not help the much-needed investments in our community.”
An NDP government, he said, would invest more than $180 billion in infrastructure during the next 10 years, “without wasteful (public-private partnerships),” as well as invest in rural infrastructure.
Libertarian candidate Silviu Druma called the Highway 400-404 connecting link a “vital part of infrastructure that will help revitalize the local economy.”
Druma said he is 100 per cent committed to advocating for the project and will spend a lot of time and effort to get it done.
“The project has been put on hold for too long,” he said.
“I can see a lot of problems related to commuting to Toronto. I believe that we need a much (more) flexible GO Transit schedule. We should be working towards introducing more trains and adding public parking at GO stations. I will try to secure funding as soon as possible.”
York-Simcoe’s Green Party candidate Alexandra Zalucky and Ontario Moderate Party candidate Franco Colavecchia did not respond to interview requests.
The provincial election will take place June 7.
