DTNR

The following quotation is taken from Region of Waterloo (ROW) committee minutes:

"Jane Brewer, Chair of the Cambridge Area Route Selection Study Committee indicated the Detailed Transportation Network Review (DTNR)
Phase 1 and 2 studies evolved from the Cambridge Area Route Selection Study (CARSS) after the investigation of a "No-Bridge" alternative was requested....
She gave a brief overview of the Environmental Assessment process and the approval by Cambridge Council of the "No-Bridge" option." (June15/04)

The above quotation is a polite ROW Council explanation of the fact that Cambridge Council voted to reject CARSS and accept DTNR.
Except for 2 Councillors, all members of Cambridge Council voted in favour of CARSS .... all of those Councillors are still on Council until 2010.
So in simple terms, Cambridge Council (again) rejected a long term transportation planning plan and replaced it with a short term (2011) spot fix approach.

The DTNR plans demanded by Cambridge Council included two very important conditions that would have to be implemented by Cambridge Council. I wonder if Cambridge Council ever voted to take any actions on the necessary conditions stated in DTNR?

I made the following comments about the two critical Official Plan (OP) changes was made at Regional Council on Nov. 16, 2004 !

"According to City of Cambridge staff, the Phase #1 report recommends that Cambridge "undertake an Official Plan and Zoning review to develop a land use plan that reduces the current and future need to cross the Grand River". If according to the DTNR project team such official plan changes are a crucial component of the traffic network's success, then when will the necessary changes be outlined for the public? And what happens to the DTNR network plan if the Cambridge OP changes are not made?"

It is now November 2009 and Cambridge Council has made no move to implement the OP changes.
Remember, "planning is politics, and politics is planning."

Footnote: In addition, a cryptic request was made by Mayor Craig at the Nov. 16, 2004 ROW Planning and Works Committee at which I spoke against CARSS:

"D. Craig asked staff to review the feasibility of studying a west side linkage using existing roadways from Dickie Settlement Road to the south boundary road or to the new Highway 24."

How could this request be satisfied without including a BRIDGE, unless Cambridge Council has invented a nifty scheme to cross rivers using a new form of "sky hook". Mayor Craig's request was made just after the committee voted to approve everything Cambridge Council demanded in their NO BRIDGE stance?

I may be wrong, BUT:

Having attended numerous ROW meetings, I can tell you that given the attitude and behaviour of Cambridge Council towards the ROW's CARSS process, Regional Council will NEVER, NEVER build a new bridge in Cambridge. Cambridge Council voted themselves into the NO BRIDGE stance and Regional Council will be more than happy to hold Cambridge Council to their decision. Even when it becomes abundantly clear that we need one or more bridges across the Grand River, you can bet that Regional Council will be overjoyed to say NO to any Cambridge requests. Just my humble opinion, but of course 'I may be wrong.'

What are the costs of the choices available? There is no escape from costs, even if the choice is a decision to do nothing. Doing nothing has costs and people should be made aware of those costs. Cambridge Council voted for DTNR. What are the costs?