Controversy over plans to expand Strasburg Road

The City of Kitchener is considering leveling portions of an old growth forest in southwest Kitchener to make way for a four-lane extension of Strasburg Road that would eventually extend through Brigadoon connecting with New Dundee Road.

A growing number of residents along with Councillor Yvonne Fernandes say if this road is granted it will destroy ecosystems, limit drinking water and forever change the landscape of the area.

The road extension has been talked about for decades but residents say they have to act now because a decision is coming.

Orange markers have been set-up to signify where the proposed roadway would go.  It runs right across Strasburg Creek.

Local resident Claire Griffieon says the road should be moved well west of the protected wetlands.  “There are whole ecosystems at risk that this road will pose dangers to.”

Environmental assessments have been conducted on the area and show a road would be safe.   But Yvonne Fernandes says she has an issue with where Kitchener planners are getting their data.

“They’re basing their design of the northern portion of this road on studies that were done in the 1980’s and 1990’s.” Fernandes says.   She wants to meet with the Minister of the Environment to see if anything can be done to stop the extension.  “It’s more about protecting the provincially significant wetland and moving that road slightly west only requires about five acres of land.”

But those five acres would be an added cost for Kitchener taxpayers who have already paid $640,000 in added consultant fees.