CARSS - long term traffic planning project for Cambridge, but was rejected by
Cambridge Council!
At this
moment (October, 2006) Cambridge does not have a comprehensive long term
traffic system plan. In fact, Cambridge Council has
rejected all attempts to develop such a plan. CARSS is only the most recently rejected planning process.
CARSS = Cambridge Area Route Selection Route Selection
rejected all attempts to develop such a plan. CARSS is only the most recently rejected planning process.
CARSS = Cambridge Area Route Selection Route Selection
WHAT:
"To address these traffic needs, the Region of Waterloo is initiating a
Route Selection Study and Class Environment Assessment to
examine proposed North-South Arterial, East-West Arterial, East Side Bypass and South Boundary Road locations in the Cambridge area" (ROW 1999)
WHY: {a} "Growing traffic congestion in the City of Cambridge and surrounding area has been the subject of many studies over the past 25 years.
More recently the Cambridge Area Transportation Study and Regional Transportation Plan both confurm the need to reduce auto trips through
Trafficl Demand Management, optimize the existing transportation system, improve existing roads and construct new roads." (ROW 1999)
{b} "Cambridge has grown from 69,000 people in 1974, to 104,00 now. Traffic volume associated with this growth, and from the overall growth in the area,
have also increased over the last 20 years." (ROW 1999 public meeting) It is now 2006 and our population has reached 120,000!
examine proposed North-South Arterial, East-West Arterial, East Side Bypass and South Boundary Road locations in the Cambridge area" (ROW 1999)
WHY: {a} "Growing traffic congestion in the City of Cambridge and surrounding area has been the subject of many studies over the past 25 years.
More recently the Cambridge Area Transportation Study and Regional Transportation Plan both confurm the need to reduce auto trips through
Trafficl Demand Management, optimize the existing transportation system, improve existing roads and construct new roads." (ROW 1999)
{b} "Cambridge has grown from 69,000 people in 1974, to 104,00 now. Traffic volume associated with this growth, and from the overall growth in the area,
have also increased over the last 20 years." (ROW 1999 public meeting) It is now 2006 and our population has reached 120,000!
disclaimer: I was an appointed member of the Public Advisory Committee,
representing Cambridge Trails Advisory Committee and non-auto transportation
modes on the CARSS project. As a member of that committee I did not voice my
private citizen concerns. When CARSS was rejected, I then spoke as a resident.
Who and
what killed CARSS?
[1] Ultimately, it was the 5 Cambridge Councillors who voted to reject CARSS in favour of DTNR. Also, Regional Council who sponsored
the DTNR project to salvage some semblance of a traffic study for Cambridge.
[2] Apathetic and discouraged residents who avoided the project. Many discouraged by previous failed planning projects. At every public
meeting, one heard the phrase "Do something this time ..... just do something instead of studying!"
[3] Concerned residents, especially from the Cedar Street area, who did not understand how to maximize their concerns in the project.
Their most critical error was to only appear once as a delegation.
[4] Special interest groups that effectively derailed the CARSS process via their regular and vocal appearances at public meetings and
their influence on a majority of Cambridge Council in the guise of environmental impacts.
[5] The much maligned and misrepresented bald eagle served as a flash point arousal topic for arousing opposition to CARSS
- a red herring factor if ever one existed.
[1] Ultimately, it was the 5 Cambridge Councillors who voted to reject CARSS in favour of DTNR. Also, Regional Council who sponsored
the DTNR project to salvage some semblance of a traffic study for Cambridge.
[2] Apathetic and discouraged residents who avoided the project. Many discouraged by previous failed planning projects. At every public
meeting, one heard the phrase "Do something this time ..... just do something instead of studying!"
[3] Concerned residents, especially from the Cedar Street area, who did not understand how to maximize their concerns in the project.
Their most critical error was to only appear once as a delegation.
[4] Special interest groups that effectively derailed the CARSS process via their regular and vocal appearances at public meetings and
their influence on a majority of Cambridge Council in the guise of environmental impacts.
[5] The much maligned and misrepresented bald eagle served as a flash point arousal topic for arousing opposition to CARSS
- a red herring factor if ever one existed.
Cedar St
Speedsville
Fountain St
King ST & drive thru
Fountain St
Water St
Chalmers
King St. & drive thru