As a resident of Willowdale, I would like to start a petition for construction of a sound barrier on Highway 401 North.

Did you know that the part of Highway 401 that passes through Toronto is the busiest highway and one of the widest in the world? A 2008 analysis stated that over 450,000 vehicles traveled between Weston Road and Highway 400 every day. And the traffic on the 401 increases with every passing year. In addition, it is the most popular truck route in the world, carrying 60 percent of vehicular trade between Canada and the US.

This has become a problem for West Lansing neighbourhood that borders the Highway 401 on the north west side from Yonge St. Air brakes from trucks, screeching tires, and rumbling engines contaminate the quiet streets of this family neighbourhood.

Out of the 1700 meter long stretch of Highway 401 between Avenue road and Yonge street, 700 meter adjacent to Avenue road there is a noise barrier, which stops just before Earl Bales Park. However, the remaining 500-meter residential area between Yonge and Earl Bales Park is not protected from noise and air pollution that affects the quality of life of over 4,000 residents and visitors of Willowdale South area.

Besides the residents, there are teachers, parents and 374 children from Kindergarten to Grade 8 in the Saint Edward Catholic School. The school was built with sound protection but the noise does effect people outside.  

We encourage everyone who are affected by this issue to sign this petition. We also encourage you to inform your neighbours to its existence; the more support we have - the better. We would like to obtain 1,000 signatures, and present it to our MPP David Zimmer, and see this put in action by the end of 2015.