[roch5220]

Re: Former hayfield heads for heyday: MCC

Of course funding an LRT by itself would not totally ruin Mississauga finances. It's just an incredibly stupid idea, that's all.

Just as smart as Mississauga not having anything currently. Based upon Hazel's past aggressiveness and no nonsence approach, I'm surprised that she hasn't taken more ownership over this. I think its time for new leadership/blood in Miss., (having been a resident in LornePark/Clarkson for 15 years), I've been saying that for a decade. Too many people voting on name recognition and past deeds.

 

[dashingdan]

Re: Former hayfield heads for heyday: MCC

The environmental assessment for the LRT along Hurontario is currently (or soon to be) underway, so it's premature to talk about funding for something that is just barely in the planning stages as of yet.

Mississauga's priority right now should be the Mississauga Transitway, which we have 2/3 of the funding for (municipal and provincial share). Personally I think they SHOULD start building it immediately, and hope that the federal gov't puts in its share, simply on the basis of that's how it's been done in the past, and there's pressure there from it already having been started. Plus the BRT is cheaper than the LRT, which will be a huge investment (but necessary).

One thing that bothers me about Mississauga's plans is the lack of trying to connect to the subway. There should be a direct link to Kipling station, e.g. a true express bus from Square One (not the quasi-express buses like the 206).

 

[simply Dan]

Re: Former hayfield heads for heyday: MCC

Infrastructure.

It is remarkable to me that Mississauga doesn't have a large train station with regular VIA service, a TTC subway connection (Vaughan of all places will end up getting one first!) or even an extensive light rail system. Building a city like Phoenix or Orlando and then boasting about excellent infrastructure is a bad joke at best.

The whole agrument that Mississauga is home to Canada's largest international airport is also a moot point as Toronto Pearson has become so successful DESPITE being located in Mississauga, not BECAUSE it was built there. It could have just as easily been built anywhere in the GTA and it still would have been the country's principal hub for air travel.

 

[bizorky]

Re: Former hayfield heads for heyday: MCC

^Sadly, what you note as lacking is just another symptom of no one in power really wanting to commit to investment in public infrastructure beyond wide roads. The entire region risks being linked only by the most feeble of transit plans, and many municipalities value doing as little possible now rather than to actually consider future needs and demands.

 

[SD2]

Re: Former hayfield heads for heyday: MCC

The difference between Mississauga and Toronto is that we have made a greater, more concentrated and strategic effort to build a great city.

If you're being serious, this is absoultely ridiculous.

 

[ahrvojic]

Re: Former hayfield heads for heyday: MCC

Not only do I not understand Mississauga's obession with its lack of debt without anything to show for it (which I can attest first-hand is quite frustrating), but I also don't understand this misplaced sense of "rivalry" with Toronto proper some Mississaugans show here occasionally. We're all effectively in the same city and we should therefore all be on the same side since it's in our best interest.

The current political situation in the GTA is classic divide and conquer and municipalities are powerless enough as it is.

 

[yyzer]

Re: Former hayfield heads for heyday: MCC

sort of ot, in today's national post, there is an article about the future Confederation Parkway bridge to be built across the 403. Planned construction start is for early 2007 - but this bridge will feature some special lighting....there will be a strip of horizontal blue lights spanning the bridge, as well as accent lighting on the piers..there is a rendering in the Post, but it doesn't seem to be found online....looks interesting, definitely a first for the GTA...

 

[scarberiankhatru]

"Vaughan of all places will end up getting one first!"

More likely, two, if Yonge is extended north of Finch.

 

[dashingdan]

Mississauga doesn't really need VIA service. I think if Mississaugans need VIA service, they can go to the neighboring municipalities with VIA service (Oakville, Brampton and Toronto). I can understand why VIA wouldn't want to put train stations too close together.

As for subway, MCC should have it before VCC, but that's just politics. And STC should have it before either. I'd venture to say that anyone who takes public transit in Mississauga believes that Mississauga needs a subway extension.

 

[simply Dan]

Mississauga doesn't really need VIA service

Just like Calgary doesn't really need VIA service?

 

[jeicow]

Re: Former hayfield heads for heyday: MCC

The view across it will be all the greater once Parkside Village starts going and Daniel's gets further than the current three Towers in their land.

 

[EnviroTO]

With all day Lakeshore GO services there is no real reason to put a VIA station in Mississauga. The GO can be taken to Union or Oakville for a quick transfer. It would be nice to see Calgary to Edmonton service but unfortunately the city of Edmonton didn't have the foresight to see a need for rail to ever be located downtown which rules out commuter rail there forever and would place any Calgary to Edmonton rail station far from downtown in the south or east end of the city. Cities that get rid of the rail networks in their city aren't very forward thinking in my books.

 

[Martinsizon]

Matthew Coutts, National Post
Published: Saturday, December 02, 2006

The City of Mississauga agreed this week to spend a little extra on a bridge over Highway 403, to make it an ''aesthetic gateway'' to the city's downtown.

''It'll be the one bridge on the 403 where you say, 'Hey, cool!' '' said Mark Langridge, the project designer from du Toit Allsopp Hillier.

City council on Wednesday approved $1.5-million of enhancements to the $12.8-million Confederation Parkway Bridge, which will connect Rathburn Road West to McLaughlin Road.

The big draw: dramatic lighting that will make the bridge ''come to life'' in the evening.

''The major thing is the use of light,'' Mr. Langridge said. The design includes a horizontal blue band of light along the bridge's width, and hidden lights that will ''throw a light onto the main beam.''

Construction will begin early next year.

''Our urban designers wanted to make a statement,'' said Richard Tupholma, who's managing the project for the city.

It may be the first bridge in the 400-series highway system to built with aesthetics as a priority.

''You have to go back 100 years to see aesthetic effort put into highway bridges,'' Mr. Langridge said.

He said the design was limited by its original standard design and some pre-construction from a recent closing on Highway 403.

The bridge will span 14 lanes of traffic, including Highway 403 and two future expansion lanes, the adjacent Centre View Road and a proposed rapid transit system.

Mr. Tupholma said the bridge has been planned for some time, based on the city's need for another route downtown.

''Hurontario [Road] is at capacity right now. We needed another major route. If we didn't take the opportunity this time, we'd never use it'' he said.

The ''pedestrian friendly'' bridge will have natural metal open railings, and a centre median with lights posts and a separated walkway.

A series of long, curving tiers of planting anchor the south end, with a Mississauga sign illuminated in the blue and white city colours.

''It'll stand out and indicate that you're passing the city centre from the 403, and when you're using [it] to go into the city centre ... you'll see a nice area. We're trying to make it distinctive,'' Mr. Tupholma said

 

[ahrvojic]

Mr. Tupholma said the bridge has been planned for some time, based on the city's need for another route downtown.

ROFL!

Another north-south route to MCC is definitely welcome though.

 

[FutureMayor]

A fantastic project for Mississauga City Centre. Now we need to work on the Hurontario Bridge over the 403.

As for a VIA rail station in Mississauga, the need and call for one will only be greater as Port Credit and Mississauga continues to grow into a mature city.

Louroz