Batten cr: By Mike Kowaluki Alternativ routes connescting Hwv 401 and the roosdHwy 407 have been aed by the chairman of Whitbsplannig * and deveiopmencmite * Councillor Ross Batten was critical of ail but one of the 19 posible routes which were un- veldbefore the committes on Monday. Representatives of the Ontario Ministry of Transportation and its consultants brought the com- mittee up to date on planning for the connecting link between the two highwaýys. The ministr is currently con- ducting a studV te determine the location and right-of-way r ruiements for the proposed 10-15rkm. freeway link. The ultimate route will be located in an area bounded by Hwy. 401, Coronation Rd., Con- cession 8 and Salem Rd. But, according te Batten, the * ministry will b. making a mis- take should it choose any route other than Regional Rd. 23 <Léak- eridge Rd.). Batten teld report*rs following the meetingMthat he prefers the Lakeridge Rd. alternative. "Fd like te see it-considered as the connecting link rather than pushing roads throulgh agricul- tural .iand and existing pro- perty,» said Batten. During their presentation, ministry officiais said there are several "major constraints" that must b. taken inte account dur- ing the study process. 'Aniong these are Lynde Creek, Carruthers Creek, golf courses lus the hanilets of Audley anJ Knsale. Project director Cliff Lumiey teid te committee. that whiie «some routes are obviously better than others, ail can be made te work at this time." But it wiil be some months before a preferred route is recom- mended, said Lumley. The freeway link is undergoing the sanie process as the proos 407, a 60 km. highway stretching from Markhazn te Newcastle. WHFfBY FIEE PRESS, WEDNESD)AY, NOVEMER 7o 1M9, PAGE ri itialof 407 connecting linkatraives Public information centres will be held in Whitby and Pickering later this month te, present the proposed alternatives and receive public commente. Whitby's session will take place in the municipal building Nov. 21 from3 to9 p.m.. Based on public feedback and further study, a preferred route wiil be announced by the end of 1991. This route wiii aise be subjec te further public imput "efore the final recommendation is made in 1992. Once the final route has been chosen it wili b. submitted te, the Ministry of Environment for approval.. An environmiental assessment report will also be submitted te the ministry upon compietion of the study. In response te a question from councilior Jo. Drumrn, Lumiey could not speculate on when con- struction may commence. Lumiey said that until the project receives environmiental approvai the ministry cannot set a target Aate for work te, begin. However, h. did say construc- tion of the link wiIl be done concurrently with the 407 pro- ject. When asked by Batten if there wili be an interchange at 401 and Lakeridge Rd. regardiess of whether the latter is the chosen route, Lumley did not know. But he suggested that the Town continue to lobby the government for an interchange. "We've been told it wiil take 13 years for the widening of 401, we can t wait. that long," said Bat- ten. Batten told reporters there is an ixnmediate» need for an interchange te relieve north- south traffic congestion in Whitby. Batten said that even a tem- porary interchange wouid suffice until the connecting link is built. Ini addition te his feelings about the proposed routes, Bat- ten is concerned that the study wiii «slow down» Whitby's officiai plan review. The minisftry prefers that the Town wait until the final route VAN ACCESSI R.V. has been selected and determine its land use policies accordingly. But Batten said the Town can- not afford any delays ini its over- SEPAGE 17 I &TRUCK- WORLD__ DRUIES AND INSTALLATION e PICK-UP a, 4 X 4 - VAN SPACE SHELVHENGIN SPECIALIZING IN CUSTOMIZED HLIGN Space Age Shelving, th e shelving spe- cialists, get you organized quickly, easily and economically with a rcomplete line of customized sheiv- ng that's exquisitety designed to make the most out of any space. We also provide free in-home design consuiting services, instal- lation if you need it, and a guaran- tee on ail our quai ity products and workmanship. Whitby 80 Thickson Rd. S. (416) 430-1636 1 CALL TODAY FOR A FREE NO OBLIGATION CONSULTATION 723a5211 432m7755 6664O770 428&0100 42046300 623466 345 SimcoeSt. S 1251 Simcoe St.N. 1101 Brock St S. 100oWestrîe Rd. S. 1450OKingston Rd. 98KIng St E. Oshawa Oshawa Whthy Transit Square Ajax Plckeding Boravile *Speciai offer consists of 3 weeks of NutrlSystem servies. Does flot Include cost of exclusive NutrlSystem food. diarles and maintenance program. Offer vaiid at participating centres. New clients only. Expires.Deç. .1stfQ.. . Resuits. Nutri/Systeml. NutrilSystém clients rated NutrilSystem easier to follow than dieters ,,m rated other weight-loss pmogmms.* ur lient, m