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September
1998 Newsletter
Expressway
Studies Released
Nearly
two months after unveiling their "executive summary" of
the predicted impacts of the expressway, the Region finally
got around to releasing the document supposedly summarized,
and some of the background studies. Among the still missing
items are any explanation of how the predicted traffic flows
were calculated, and any details at all about the proposed
stream re-alignment. Friends has organized teams of experts
to examine the released documents, and we will be reporting
their findings in upcoming newsletters. If you can help,
please call Don at 664-8796. Here are a few initial highlights.
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The
absurd claim that the expressway will reduce emissions
and improve regional air quality has NOT been withdrawn.
The claim was based on a study done by McMaster researchers
who have denounced the Region's conclusions as illegitimate,
but the Region's consultants apparently think they know
more about what the study showed than the authors of
the study. The decision of the Region to continue this
open lie reveals how desperate they have become to justify
the expressway.
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The
biologists examining the effects on trees and wildlife
habitat start by saying they regret working on this
project because "the terrestrial ecologists on the study
team...are all personally committed to the protection
of natural ecosystems". They point out that "the impacts
of the approved Expressway on key functions of the valley
system will be profound and largely irreversible".
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The
study on health effects concludes that the PM10 air
pollution will make the valley dangerous to at least
the young and the elderly. "These two groups are often
the most intensive users of recreational facilities
and nature trails. If the predicted levels of PM10 based
on the RWDI (the Region's air quality consultant) model
are accurate, they should be encouraged to limit their
exposures, and not frequent the Red Hill Valley once
the expressway has been completed."
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One
consultant doesn't even know where the expressway is!
The title of his report is "Highway Noise Impact Assessment:
Red Hill Creek Expressway / Queen Elizabeth Way Intersection
in BURLINGTON"!
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