On Tuesday, April 5, 2011, I listened to the Transportation Master Plan for Halton Region. This region consists of Oakville, Burlington, Milton, and Halton Hills.
Why has the average value of homes in Oakville increased to $572,909 in March 2011 and seen a 6% increase year over year. Why has Milton increased to an average home price of $409,207 in March 2011 and has similarily a 7% increase year over year?
There are three possible reasons for this. I personally believe that one of them is the added surge of activity in the Golden Horseshoe real estate which has resulted from a wide effects of retiring baby boomers moving closer to an urban lifestyle. Another factor to consider is the added free trade traffic between the US and Canada along the busy highway corridor from Fort Erie. Additionally there is a physical shortage of land as you head west on the QEW to the Niagara Escarpment and the obvious Lake Ontario boundary.
Here are some of the plans that Halton Region has put in place to accommodate the estimated 780,000 people in 2031 and estimated 390,000 jobs, which is almost double the current numbers.
1. Widening of major arteries such as Dundas, James Snow, Britannia and Steeles Avenue
2. Rapid bus routes being developed along Trafalgar Road and Dundas Street.
Moving people into an expanding region to support job growth and sustainable development will require transporting both employees and residents in a growing municipality. Typically on weekdays about 350,000 residents travel the roads between 3:30pm and 6:30pm. The city’s objective is to reduce vehicular traffic from 92% of vehicle use to 72% by encouraging public transit during these peak times.
The region’s plan is to be integrated with GO Transit, Metrolinx and the local municipality modes of public transit. The region also recognizes technology is having a major impact on communication of transportation provider services to users via the internet and mobile devices.
An interesting note is that the Region’s first “round about” will be at Derry and Main St which is an advantageous way of avoiding traffic lights and is used in many cities around the world.
Metrolinx is also planning to build a light rail line in Mississauga.