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Objections may halt 2nd Ave. project for another year

“To put it simply, we want the best for Second Avenue, especially when all the environmental issues are concerned — water, air, noise, safety,” Lindsay, chair of the Minnow Lake Community Action Network, said in an email.
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The Minnow Lake CAN has been joined by the Greater Sudbury Watershed Alliance, the Ramsey Lake Stewardship Committee and the local chapter of CARP in asking for a more comprehensive environmental impact study of the Second Avenue road-widening project. File photo
“To put it simply, we want the best for Second Avenue, especially when all the environmental issues are concerned — water, air, noise, safety,” Lindsay, chair of the Minnow Lake Community Action Network, said in an email.

“To not want the best is irresponsible on our part as an environmental group and citizens. We expect the city to be as responsible.”

Lindsay has asked the ministry to reclassify the work as a Schedule 'C' project, which would require, among other things, a much more intensive environmental assessment before the project could proceed. City officials have said that would add about $1 million to the cost of the work.

It's currently classified as a Schedule 'B' project, which is reserved for road projects that are repairing existing infrastructure, but can include some widening and other added work.

In contrast, the proposed $84 million Maley Drive extension is a Schedule 'C' project.

In addition to the five lanes, the Second Avenue project would combine the entrance to the Civic Memorial Cemetery and the Minnow Lake Dog Park, and align the new entrance across from Scarlett Road, where a traffic light will be installed. The project was revised in 2014 to move up planned drainage work, allowing it to incorporate raised bike lanes along both sides of Second Avenue.

Lindsay and fellow CAN member Dot Klein said they were concerned about the added air pollution and stormwater runoff the project would create. Because the request was made late in the construction season, the request had the effect of halting the project in 2014.

In its response, however, the ministry said it couldn't rule on the request because the city had failed to meet all the requirements for the project – specifically, consulting with First Nations, incorporating the work into the city's transportation master plan and conducting an archeological survey.

The city says the application has now been completed and has been sent to the ministry.

Of particular concern, Lindsay said, is the city's insistence on widening a stretch of Second Avenue to five lanes, from Scarlett Road to Donna Drive. He said the wider road will mean more road salt and other contaminants will drain into Ramsey Lake, where residents draw their drinking water. And the stoplight at Scarlett Road will lead to more idling, and thus more air pollution.

The deadline for filing an objection was May 1. City officials have said there should be enough time this year to proceed with the project, should the ministry reject the request to bump the project up to a Schedule 'C'.

Lindsay says he's frustrated the city won't take seriously his suggestion to reduce the number of lanes from five to three and build a one-lane roundabout instead of installing traffic lights. The roads department has said building a large enough roundabout would cost significantly more and would require taking land from the cemetery and the nearby strip mall. They also say the smaller roundabout Lindsay advocates would cause traffic congestion.

Lindsay rejects that claim, and says a one-lane roundabout has worked well on roads in other cities with similar traffic counts.

“If a one-lane roundabout is impossible after detailed and expert evaluation for whatever reasons we are prepared to live with that decision,” Lindsay said.

While he has garnered support from some local groups, he admits some people in Minnow Lake are not happy and are worried the project may not happen again this year.

“To answer those who say we are holding up the reconstruction, we can only reply the road will be here for a long time – many years after we are gone — and do you want it done right for the benefit of everyone now and for the future, and not negatively effect our water and air and also be less noisy, be safer and more aesthetically pleasing?” he said.

“It may take another year, but if these factors had been taken into consideration a few years (ago) with a proper level of assessment and community involvement in the discussion of options, the project may have already been completed.”

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Darren MacDonald

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