justcaws.com

I have the misfortune of falling into one of two categories that make one feel undervalued here. While I don’t suffer the fate of residing in one of Guelph’s new neighbourhoods, I’m one of its motorists. My heart goes out to those who are part of both camps. They’re on the outside, looking in when comes to city planning. Just looking at a couple of examples indicates that how you get treated in this city seems to depend greatly on two things – where you live and whether you have the gall to still travel by car.

Take our “hurry up and wait” Hanlon Expressway. I have lived in this city for over a decade. Each year I have heard and read about imminent upgrades pending for this vital city artery. Yet, sure enough, years pass and nothing is done. Unfortunately, with its increased traffic, the constant delay in getting the Hanlon up to speed is not just a convenience issue, but a safety issue one as well.

Anyone travelling south on the Hanlon during peak times knows its hazards. Insufficient space in the left-hand turning lanes at its major intersections cause a queue of left-turning vehicles that spills into the left-hand passing lane. I’m not the only one who has come up quickly behind a car that is stopped because of such a bottleneck. I’ve avoided rear-ending anyone and spurring a chain reaction of destruction. That’s largely because I’m aware of these trouble spots and try to skirt them. This seems to be the same policy that too many of our elected officials take on our Hanlon Delay-way.

Avoiding the issue, rather persuading the province to act on the Hanlon sadly demonstrates, yet again, how this city lets ideology trump pragmatism and common sense. Take Coun. Maggie Laidlaw’s rationale for her tepid support of the Hanlon Expressway. She believes we won’t be driving cars in 20 years anyway. One would hope city hall would be would be pleading with Queen’s Park to bring our transportation infrastructure up to the level needed for a city with aspirations of being a hub of commerce. Unfortunately, we get different priorities when our civic leaders believe that everyone should ride a bike or take the bus regardless of where they live.

The intersection of Rickson and Edinburgh also demonstrates where this city’s priorities lie. It received considerable attention after a fatal collision a few years back. Many area residents tried unsuccessfully to get traffic lights at the intersection. The city decided only to install a crossing signal. Now, years later, with more traffic using the road and a nearby school now built, the city must reconsider. Traffic lights are a must for the safety of motorists and pedestrians at this location. Just try crossing Edinburgh at Rickson. Your plan better include getting out of your car or asking a passing pedestrian to hit the crossing signal. Otherwise, it’s a quick look both ways before you slam the pedal to the metal to avoid hidden cars moving up and around a bend one way and motorists coming up a steep hill in the other direction.

Now, compare that to the streets and intersections of Guelph’s old neighbourhoods. Many of these lightly-travelled streets have so many stop signs, traffic lights, and traffic calming measures that I get passed by people using walkers when driving there. If all the traffic lights and signs are still deemed necessary in one end of town, the same standard should be applied everywhere.

The debate on whether Guelph should have grown as it has is over. Recent arrivals are here now and paying property taxes, just like everyone else. Cars aren’t going away either. They may all become electric, but they still require safe roads going forward.

Avoiding these realities and treating our fellow citizens like second-class members will only make Guelph a second-class city. We deserve better.

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