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'Transportation deficit' holding Northern Ontario back
The North Bay Nugget
. Nugget file photo
The Ontario Chamber of Commerce is calling on the province to invest in rail to address Northern Ontario's "transportation deficit."
Rail transportation – including subways and LRT, as well as heavy rail – is critical to the movement of both people and goods across Ontario, states a report co-released Monday by the Ontario chamber and Greater Sudbury Chamber of Commerce.
'Transportation deficit' holding Northern Ontario back Back to video
Yet freight and passenger rail frequently share lines, causing delays and limiting productivity.
The report, Moving Forward: A Strategic Approach to Ontario's Transportation Needs, says existing assets are at capacity, and service limitations fail to meet the demand of growing regions.
"Given the established benefits of rail – robust carrying capacity, solid safety record and a comparatively low environmental impact – the province should revisit this mode of transportation as a means of creating new opportunities for mobility and trade."
The report's 13 recommendations include:
• Conducting a review of transportation assets and limitations in Northern Ontario to determine how mobility in this region can be immediately improved.
• Supporting municipal governments as they develop innovative solutions to address transit challenges.
• Establishing Transportation Ontario, an independent, province-wide transportation planning authority that would advise the Ministry of Transportation and support regional transit agencies.
"Our members have told us they are concerned about a transportation deficit in Northern Ontario, particularly with regards to availability of passenger rail and the four-laning of Highway 69," says Michael Macnamara, chair of the board of directors, Greater Sudbury Chamber of Commerce.
"The province needs to implement a long-term strategic plan that addresses the needs of Northern Ontario's residents . . ."
The report says sixty per cent of Ontario businesses rate the province's transportation infrastructure as poor. As well, 76 per cent of businesses in this region are concerned about Northern Ontario's infrastructure and transportation deficit.
Moving Forward notes that much of the province's existing infrastructure was built in the 1950s and 1960s, and nearing the end of its useful life.
"Transportation is the backbone of our economy, affecting the movement of people and goods, and the everyday lives of Ontarians and businesses," says Rocco Rossi, president & CEO, Ontario Chamber of Commerce. "Yet, congestion, limited transit connectivity, population growth, aging assets, unique regional needs, and a historic under-investment in infrastructure have led to a significant gap between the actual and needed infrastructure in Ontario.
"This has led to real challenges faced by Ontario residents and businesses every single day."
The chambers have developed 13 "tangible and pragmatic" transportation recommendations for a stronger Ontario within three key areas — transit planning governance, moving people and goods by rail and autonomous vehicles.
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