January 11, 2005
By Danielle MilleyStaff Writer
PICKERING - There may not be a shovel in the ground yet, but there are drawings on a page.
The City of Pickering now has a design concept for the pedestrian bridge to be built over Hwy. 401 connecting the Pickering GO Station with the Pickering Town Centre, although planning is still being worked out.
"We're now looking at corporate partners in Pickering in the downtown core," said Ward 1 Regional Councillor Maurice Brenner, who has been advocating for the project for years.
The planning began more than eight years ago when Hwy. 401 was expanded and bridge footings were put in.
"It's slower than I'd hope, but some things are worth waiting for," Coun. Brenner said, adding it will happen.
In June 2003, the provincial government and then finance minister and local member of provincial parliament Janet Ecker made a firm commitment to pick up a third of the cost in partnership with the City and a private company.
With the provincial commitment of just over $1 million, Coun. Brenner estimated the cost of the project to be $3-4 million.
Transportation Minister Harinder Takhar was in Pickering last week and Coun. Brenner took the opportunity to present the conceptual drawings to him. He said the minister's staff was up to speed on the project.
"They're still firm with the previous commitment and the funding," he said.
Last January, council agreed to the final stage of the agreement with the private-sector partner, although it was voted on in-camera and the name of the private company has not been released.
Coun. Brenner sees many benefits associated with the bridge, including providing opportunities to revitalize the city centre and increasing access to the GO station.
"To be able to connect people and make it easier for people to use transit and this walkway will certainly encourage that," he said.
The bridge would connect the west part of the Pickering Town Centre parking lot to the east part of the GO station, travelling above and over Pickering Parkway, the start of the westbound Hwy. 401 off-ramp at Liverpool Road, more than a dozen lanes of highway traffic, and train tracks.
Based on the designs it would be accessible by stairs and an elevator, have lobbies on either side and have glass walls so people could see out as they walk across.
No agreement has been signed with either GO or the Pickering Town Centre and there is no anticipated start date for construction as of yet.
"We need to get a green light, not only with funding but also in private partnerships," Coun. Brenner said. "We're getting closer and closer to doing that."
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