Waterloo regional council defers decision on whether to close Hwy 85 ramps at Lancaster Street
CTV
Waterloo regional councillors got their first look at a proposal to permanently close the Highway 85 on and off ramps at Lancaster Street in Kitchener Tuesday.
Waterloo regional councillors got their first look at a proposal to permanently close the Highway 85 on and off ramps at Lancaster Street in Kitchener Tuesday.
Regional staff say the move would improve driver and pedestrian safety.
While some councillors, like Waterloo Mayor Dorothy McCabe, were in favour of the plan and wanted to push it forward, others, including Kitchener Mayor Berry Vrbanovic said more time is needed to examine the issue before making a decision.
“It’s a ramp that has been used to for decades in the community and there are a significant number of people who would like to see it continue,” Vrbanovic told CTV Kitchener following the meeting.
He said Kitchener council needs time to look over the plan before signing off on the change that would be permanent.
“We are recognizing the changes being proposed are not ones you can easily reverse. It will be millions to replace them if we get this wrong,” Vrbanovic said.
Councillors ultimately voted to hold off on making a decision on whether to close the ramps until March 22 at the earliest.
