I've been to Intermodal Facilities Across Most of North America

Reference Number
1050
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The railroads were here first...at least most places in Canada. Our neighbourhoods grew larger and closer to railroads over the past 150 years, and residents have complained in most all that time. Well now, here is a proposal to insert a railroad operation among the residents that were there first. It should not happen, for many reasons. I've worked for railroads for over 20 years. I've been to most all major intermodal facilities in Canada and the USA. Don't get me wrong. They are well run, safe, important and entirely necessary for the movement of the things society needs. Railroads are efficient and present the least environmental impact for the movement of stuff we all rely upon. The railroads are good for humankind. But to be clear, an intermodal facility is a very busy place, a very busy hub for the movement of goods. To put such a facility, though it be highly beneficial economically, in and amongst residential communities, would render those communities beholding to all manners of transportation problems and interruptions. My personal suggestion is for CN to purchase land that is currently owned by golf courses. This land won't be missed. However, I realize that the things that matter most for such an intermodal project are rail access, road access, and a great big area of flat land. Perhaps golf courses exist where they do, because the land is not particularly flat. There are far more golf courses in Halton than needed, and there are many not near residential areas. If not golf courses, then perhaps some other land mass that is not particularly helpful to a good society...I really don't know. But communities should not be crowded by an Intermodal facility. I get that you need track, which is both nearby and can be expanded upon. I get that you need roads, which is both nearby and can be expanded upon. But to pile on to transportation infrastructure that was originally designed for residents is not at all a proper decision. We all see the multi-million dollar 401 corridor upgrades happening right now, through Mississauga and Milton. Seriously, the government may decide to authorize CN to just cash in on this, and existing residential roadways? The government and CN need to figure out a better way, a better plan. In my humble opinion, an intermodal facility should never be built in a residential area. This is Canada, the second largest land mass on planet Earth. Find a less populated location, with its own access roads. It's really not that hard. Thanks for reading!

Submitted by
Greg Weames
Phase
N/A
Public Notice
Public Notice - Public Comments Invited on the Draft Environmental Assessment Report and Draft Potential Conditions
Attachment(s)
N/A
Date Submitted
2020-08-19 - 10:24 PM
Date modified: