From the Office of the Mayor – Planning Our Future Together

September 11, 2024

For nearly a year and a half, we’ve been working on a large project called MM2048. This project touches nearly every municipal service and department, from roads to childcare, water and wastewater, recreation, to economic development and quality of life and everything in between. We have had hundreds and hundreds of residents participate as we set a course for our community well into the future.

There are 7 strategies or master plans that are coming forward to Council over the next few months as result of MM2048 project. The first is the Mississippi Mills Transportation Master Plan. The Draft Transportation Master Plan was made available to the public on July 11, 2024. Have a look at the plan and make sure to provide any further comments by the deadline: this Saturday, September 14.

WHAT IS A TRANSPORTATION MASTER PLAN?

It’s a proactive roadmap to guide investments in the Municipality’s transportation system over the next 25 years. The plan will help guide future decisions and capital investments, aligned under a comprehensive community vision.

WHAT DOES THE DRAFT TRANSPORTATION MASTER PLAN INCLUDE?

• Improvements to our road networks to manage anticipated growth, including the Ottawa Street Corridor and March Road Corridor.

• The growth and evolution of active transportation as a main mode of transportation using the Complete Streets philosophy with all road users in mind. This includes cycling networks and a pedestrian facility gap program.

• Encourages transit/ridesharing opportunities, such as new park and ride areas and consideration of a transit feasibility study.

• Strategies surrounding equity, inclusivity, accessibility

WHAT’S THIS ALL GOING TO COST?

The total price tag for transportation infrastructure and design projects for the next 25 years is estimated at over $200 million. Note: these capital costs include ALL projects in the plan – some projects are Lanark County’s responsibility, not the municipality’s for example.

Also, the plan reflects “optimal solutions” which means that there may be alternative options that are more affordable. Projects and the specific solutions that are implemented will be at the discretion of Council or future Councils. Another way to think of it is that, although not all projects in a Master Plan will happen, for a project to happen it must be in a plan.

The final draft of the plan was received as information by Committee of the Whole on August 13, 2024. A high level presentation by the consultant is available here: https://www.mississippimills.ca/.../MMTMP---COW---2024-08....

To read through the full plan, visit: http://www.mississippimills.ca/.../MMTPM---Final-Draft....

BUT WHY ARE WE GROWING OR PLANNING FOR GROWTH?

If you’re not sure about growth and development in the first place or need some clarity about what the responsibilities of municipalities are when it comes to growth, take a look at this statement from last year that might help. Some of the numbers are a bit dated, but the process, obligations, and requirements are pretty much unchanged:

http://www.mississippimills.ca/.../from-the-office-of-the...

In closing, thank you to everyone who has been part of the MM2048 discussions so far! The Transportation Master Plan is the first of many master plans which will come before Council over the next few months. Keep an eye on our Community Engagement page for more opportunities to provide your feedback and have your say on our future: www.mississippimills.ca/communityengagement.

Sincerely,

Mayor Christa Lowry

Municipality of Mississippi Mills