Get into the 21st Century and ditch level crossings: reader

June 29, 2016 · 0 Comments

I have read a couple of articles in your paper that the Town of Aurora wishes to “spruce up” the Town’s appearance and also wishes to improve the traffic through Yonge and Wellington by removing left turns.
I’m sure that the residents and businesses on the surrounding side streets are just going to love all the additional traffic forced to use their streets.
I have a suggestion for the Town Councillors.
If they want to beautify the Town, vastly improve the flow of traffic, and move into the 21st Century simultaneously, they should start by getting rid of the three level-crossings in Town.
While level-crossings were necessary in the 19th century and, perhaps, into the early 20th century and may still be acceptable for crossing roads out in “farm country” or “in the middle of nowhere”, they are a major, sometimes fatal danger within a busy, modern town. They are also the biggest traffic delay on a daily basis in Aurora; in fact, many times a day.
Also, on a purely aesthetic basis, they make the town look “small time” and “behind the times.”
They should have been replaced long ago with overpasses or underpasses. It’s long overdue that those companies who have profited all these years using those railway lines should be made to step into the 21st century and start paying their way.
It has to be a cost of doing business for the corporations involved and not a handout from taxpayers.

Gerry Conetta
Aurora