August 8 2024

 

 

Petition Against Proposed Detour Through South Rosebank (SoRo) Community

To: Ontario Ministry of Transportation (MTO), Egis, City of Pickering, City of Toronto, and the Regional Municipality of Durham

SUBJECT:  Opposition to the Proposed Detour Route During the Rehabilitation of the Highway 401-Rougemount Drive Underpass

We, the undersigned residents of the South Rosebank  (SoRo) community and surrounding areas, strongly oppose the proposed detour route related to the rehabilitation of the Highway 401-Rougemount Drive Underpass.

The proposed detour, which diverts traffic along Kingston Road, Whites Road, Granite Court, Rosebank Road, and Toynevale Road, presents significant risks to the safety, well-being, and quality of life of our community. Our concerns are as follows:

1. Severely Limited Access -                       The detour route would result in only one entrance and exit point for the entire SoRo community. This poses a serious threat to the safety of our residents, particularly in emergencies where quick access is crucial. The single access point is insufficient for the potential volume of traffic, especially if emergency services are required to navigate the detour during a crisis.

2. Emergency Response Delays: -                   The detour plan forces emergency vehicles to take an extended route when the contractor is off-site, leading to unacceptable delays in critical response times. In situations involving medical emergencies, fires, or other disasters, these delays could have dire consequences.

3. Traffic Hazards: -                                            The proposed detour directs a high volume of traffic, including rerouted highway vehicles, through residential streets not designed to handle such loads. This will inevitably lead to congestion, accidents, and increased danger for pedestrians, cyclists, and families. 
   - The additional traffic will also exacerbate noise and air pollution, reducing the quality of life for all residents.

4. Risks in Case of Highway Accidents: -         The SoRo community is frequently impacted by traffic accidents on Highway 401, with rerouted vehicles already posing a hazard on our local streets. This detour will significantly increase the volume of rerouted traffic, making our roads even more unsafe.
   - The introduction of unfamiliar drivers, likely unfamiliar with local conditions, further increases the likelihood of accidents and endangers all road users.

5. Nuclear Plant Disaster Preparedness:  -      The community’s proximity to a nuclear power plant necessitates clear, quick, and reliable evacuation routes. The proposed detour compromises these critical routes, potentially endangering lives in the event of a nuclear incident. The potential for a bottleneck at the single access point during an evacuation scenario is unacceptable and places our community at significant risk.

6. Disruption of Daily Life:   -                            The detour will lead to longer travel times, increased stress, and greater inconvenience for residents who rely on these routes for daily commutes, school runs, and other essential activities. The planned 3-month duration of the detour will have a prolonged and detrimental impact on our community’s daily life.

We strongly urge the Ontario Ministry of Transportation and all involved parties to reconsider this detour plan. We request that alternative routes be explored that do not compromise the safety, accessibility, and well-being of the SoRo community.

Proposed Alternatives:                                                
   - Identify alternative detour routes that bypass residential areas entirely, minimizing disruption and risk to communities like SoRo.
   - Implement additional measures to ensure that emergency services have uninterrupted access to all areas, regardless of construction activities.
   - Conduct a thorough impact assessment that considers the unique risks faced by the SoRo community, including the proximity to the nuclear power plant.

 

We, the residents and concerned citizens, stand united in our opposition to this proposed detour. We call on the MTO, Egis, and local governments to prioritize the safety, security, and quality of life of our community by revisiting and revising the current detour plan. Our community’s safety should not be compromised for the sake of convenience or expedience.