Councillor slams Mayor's grand vision for $15 M underpass

Coun. RinoBortolindenounced a plan by Mayor Drew Dilkensfor a massive underpass project along the city's downtown waterfront that could eventually have a price tag of $15 million.

Details of the Dilkens plan have not been shared with council yet, but Bortolin questions the need for expanding on a project that many councillors already oppose.

• Politicians endorse assessment for pedestrian tunnel

Earlier this year, council agreed to do an environmental assessment of possible underpass projects at two locations on Riverside Drive, even though several councillorssaid they would not agree to actually build one.

That environmental assessment, going to council on Monday,estimates one project alone would cost about $3 million.Bortolinsays expanding the already controversial plan to $15 million is a waste ofmoney.

"This isn't something: if you build it, they will come," he said. "They will not come to this area, just to walk underRiverside Drive to go to the riverfront, if they weren't planning on going to the riverfront."

Controversial plan

While knocking on doors during his election campaign, Bortolin said residents in hisWard 3 regularly trumpeted their displeasure with the underpass project.

"I've never had anybody be so strongly against one thing," he said.

Despite the criticisms Bortolin heard during his campaign, earlyfeedback from open houses identified that 72 per cent of residentspreferredunderpasses or bridges in high-density areas alongRiverside Drive.

The city's environmental assessment report, which goes to council Monday, looks at two possible sites for underpasses.

The first is located just west of Church Street near the aquatic centre, while the second site is just east ofGoyeauStreet nearCaesarsWindsor.

Defending the vision

Dilkens said he has not heard any criticism aboutexpanding the scope of the project. He says the revision of the tunnel concept would lead to new development in the surrounding areas.

"I don't think there's quite a bit of backlash. I think there's optimism," he said. "There are a few people against it, but a lot of people are waitingtosee what the planis, as opposed to making their decisionbefore they actually see the plan."

Bortolinsays changing the plan would require an entirely new environmental assessment, essentially wasting the $110,000 the city just spent on the first assessment.

The Ward 3 representative says there's other ways to improve pedestrian safety on Riverside, including existing plans to reduce traffic and make the busy thoroughfare safer.

"Aside from all that, if that wasn't enough, it's $15 million," he said."It better be a pretty fantastic tunnel for $15 million."