Bradford Bypass (MTO, Hwy 400 - Hwy 404)

[innsertnamehere]

The documentation on the highway has been clear it will be a grass median:

The only new information on the website right now appears to be a map of the "West segment", which appears to be the first segment that will be tendered for construction:

 

[nfitz]

Here's a blow-up of the signage from the original picture. It's taken in Pegnitz, Bavaria (Germany).

 

[borgo100]

Things are getting started at Hwy 400. Lots of progress in the last two weeks.

 

[lenaitch]

Well, there's a field that will never grow food again.

 

[PL1]

Well, there's a field that will never grow food again.

They're just unlocking it's true, latent potential

</s>

 

[Undead]

The highway is hardly the biggest culprit here: lots of land along this stretch, probably way more than the highway will occupy, has been sold for residential development.

Well, there's a field that will never grow food again.

 

[innsertnamehere]

Also, construction is related to the Highway 88 interchange replacement, not this highway.

That drilling rig in the field does seem to be doing soil samples for the highway itself though. That is in itself not full on construction however.

If you want the real "land eating" culprit up here, you need to look on the west side of the highway where Highlight Logistics is building their new yard over basically an entire concession block:

Large trucking firm breaking ground on new Bradford headquarters

Currently based in Vaughan, Highlight Motor Group is building a 100-acre headquarters near Highway 400, and will be 'hiring a lot of local talent'

www.newmarkettoday.ca

 

[lenaitch]

The highway is hardly the biggest culprit here: lots of land along this stretch, probably way more than the highway will occupy, has been sold for residential development.

It's been a while since I looked by a lot of the adjacent land, at least in Innisfil, is zoned industrial/commercial.

The Sadlon family owns, or at least owned, a fair bit of land on the west side, I think in Innisfil.

 

[robmausser]

Well, there's a field that will never grow food again.

Then I take it youre anti-solar farm too?

 

[north-of-anything]

Wasn't the Sideroad 10 interchange supposed to be a partial interchange before? It seems like that intersection has been gradually scope-crept to a full-fledged interchange. People already zoom through there since there's a steep downwards slope south of where the Bypass is going...

Looking forward to the West section at the very least; I can imagine the neighbourhoods around Line 8 are positively itching to not have to deal with trucks anymore, and moving them completely off Holland Street can speed up efforts to make downtown Bradford less car-oriented. Totally understand prioritizing it over the section that crosses over sensitive wetlands.

 

[just east of the creek]

View attachment 611490
Then I take it youre anti-solar farm too?

Not the right thread for this discussion, but yes. Where you are dealing with Class 1 and 2 farmland, then yes, solar farms are the incorrect use of this land. And that certainly is the Sarina area, and most of Ontario west of Oshawa and south of Georgian Bay ( some generalities there, but there is plenty of access to CLI classification maps for,those interested)

Class 1 and 2 farmlands are the most vital, class 3 lags behind, but is still useful. Ontario has no plan that protects these lands with a bite, and these farmlands are prone to development, from ‘estate’ homes to more industrial uses, both legal and illegal. Hence situations such as Wilmot (to name one)

Class 1 and 2 farmlands are also a finite resource. Much like the Niagara Tender Fruit belt. Once you pave it, that’s it, enjoy your hard as rock peaches from the US or Chile.

And food security in this country should be a very high priority of all governments, both to feed our own population, and as an economic tool in regards to our balance of trade.

We should also have a wary eye on American investment into Canadian Ag lands and businesses. Their interests are not Canada’s interests.

There is plenty of land in Ontario that would be more appropriate for non-agricultural development, but that requires a plan with tools and economic incentives to make the choice easier.

Now that I have spouted on, we should transfer any discussion to a more correct thread.

 

[afransen]

View attachment 611490
Then I take it youre anti-solar farm too?

I would suggest solar is not nearly as permanent as a highway. They also don't typically comprehensively destroy topsoil. There are even developments that integrate agricultural uses, and some crops even benefit from the partial cover (agrivoltaics).

Of course, it is generally better to use marginal land for solar, given the specific siting is usually not that critical.

 

[Undead]

It's been a while since I looked by a lot of the adjacent land, at least in Innisfil, is zoned industrial/commercial.

The Sadlon family owns, or at least owned, a fair bit of land on the west side, I think in Innisfil.

Not just Innisfil. All along the 400 leaving the city.

Sadlon's more a big deal in Barrie IIRC.

As for energy, we need nuclear, not solar.

 

[Bojaxs]

Not the right thread for this discussion, but yes. Where you are dealing with Class 1 and 2 farmland, then yes, solar farms are the incorrect use of this land. And that certainly is the Sarina area, and most of Ontario west of Oshawa and south of Georgian Bay ( some generalities there, but there is plenty of access to CLI classification maps for,those interested)

Class 1 and 2 farmlands are the most vital, class 3 lags behind, but is still useful. Ontario has no plan that protects these lands with a bite, and these farmlands are prone to development, from ‘estate’ homes to more industrial uses, both legal and illegal. Hence situations such as Wilmot (to name one)

Class 1 and 2 farmlands are also a finite resource. Much like the Niagara Tender Fruit belt. Once you pave it, that’s it, enjoy your hard as rock peaches from the US or Chile.

And food security in this country should be a very high priority of all governments, both to feed our own population, and as an economic tool in regards to our balance of trade.

We should also have a wary eye on American investment into Canadian Ag lands and businesses. Their interests are not Canada’s interests.

There is plenty of land in Ontario that would be more appropriate for non-agricultural development, but that requires a plan with tools and economic incentives to make the choice easier.

Now that I have spouted on, we should transfer any discussion to a more correct thread.

I've always thought left wing politicians in Ontario should change the narrative around combatting sprawl to be less about "fighting climate change" and more about "food security" and protecting farm land from development.

"Food security" resonates with more people, even those who aren't politically left, compared to climate change. Mention "climate change" and people who identify as politically right will simply tune you out. Mention the disappearance of Ontario grown peaches and other produce, and you'll have their attention.

 

[nfitz]

I've always thought left wing politicians in Ontario should change the narrative around combatting sprawl to be less about "fighting climate change" and more about "food security" and protecting farm land from development.

"Food security" resonates with more people, even those who aren't politically left, compared to climate change. Mention "climate change" and people who identify as politically right will simply tune you out. Mention the disappearance of Ontario grown peaches and other produce, and you'll have their attention.

The left wing is now opposing carbon taxes, so I assume they aren't going to be running on "fighting climate change". The protecting farm land from development platform is why some farm territory - particularly more marginal farmland - gets a lot of bleeding from the right, to the Greens.

Disappearance of Ontario-grown peaches? Is that a thing? I didn't see much in the stores this year - I just thought it was my bad timing. Peaches are the one fruit that it really needs to be fresh and local, or it tastes like crap. I only eat them when they are in-season locally - I didn't even get any this year!