Douro-Dummer has outlined “significant concerns” with the proposed ALTO high-speed rail line that’s projected to traverse through the township as part of the broader Ottawa to Toronto route.
At its meeting Tuesday night (March 17), township council passed a resolution sent to Prime Minister Mark Carney, federal transport minister Steven MacKinnon, local MP Emma Harrison and ALTO that expresses its non-support of the project until clear assurance that the concerns raised by township residents and council will be addressed.
Specifically, the township is looking for confirmation that the costs associated with the project won’t be downloaded onto township taxpayers. In addition, council is strongly encouraging that routing of the line be confined to or near transportation corridors already in place to minimize the impact on rural properties.
Douro-Dummer mayor Heather Watson explains her council has heard residents and acted accordingly.
Asked what her confidence level is in terms of getting answers posed by the resolution, Mayor Watson is hopeful council’s firm statement will spark a response.
Mayor Watson thinks ALTO is focused on the consultation process because it doesn’t yet have answers to the many questions being posed by residents.
(Written by: Paul Rellinger)
