Public learns results of environmental impact study

An environmental impact study for the proposed Cornwall bypass has determined that potential adverse environmental issues during all phases of the project are not significant.

Details of the study were released to about 30 people who attended a public meeting at the Cornwall Civic Centre last night.

Dale Conroy, associate and office lead for Stantec, which carried out the study, presented the findings and answered questions.

Clyde River resident Barry Smith, who attended the meeting, sees the highway as necessary due to the heavy volume of traffic that passes through the area daily.

“I sit on the patio every day, and it’s just a steady stream.”

Information provided by the department of transportation, infrastructure and energy said the new highway will help to fix this, resulting in increased safety and efficiency for anyone travelling through Cornwall, as well as improved access to services.

Major traffic from transport trucks will be rerouted from Cornwall, and there will be six fewer traffic lights on the proposed highway.

Another of Smith’s concerns is whether or not the new highway will actually be of benefit to the businesses situated between Clyde River and Cornwall.

“Will tourists bypass Cornwall?” he said following the meeting.

Green Party Leader Peter Bevan-Baker, who commutes through Cornwall nearly every day, is also worried that Cornwall won’t see the economic growth that is expected and says there’s no study to support that statement.

And while he agrees the area in question is a busy thoroughfare, he said the waits are no more than 30 seconds.

Instead, the province needs to look after current Island roads and keep them in better condition rather than building new highways, said Bevan-Baker following the meeting.

“I’m fundamentally opposed.” The Island, he said, “doesn’t need it and can’t afford it.”

Greg Wilson, manager of the department of communities, land and environment, said he saw no major concerns in Conroy’s presentation as to why the project wouldn’t move forward.

However, public feedback from the consultations is an integral part of the deciding factor, which still needs to be weighed, he said.

That feedback will come over the next 10 days and will be considered along with previous consultations. The department of transportation, infrastructure and land will then approve or decline the project.

Pending approval, construction will start this August and last for three years. Construction will finish with an asphalt seal in 2020.