Sir: I’m concerned about a potentially wasteful reoccurring political agenda regarding unnecessary government spending towards the proposed widening of Highway 40.
Taxpayers may remember the extensive upgrades they financed towards the various creek bridges intersecting Hwy. 40 just five years ago. I presume that the mass and width of four brand new lanes would eliminate and replace this recent investment.
Also, unlike the 401 corridor, there’s very little space. Many homes were built on the edge of what was designed as, and still is, a straight and efficient country roadway. An expansion would put traffic on their doorsteps and sacrifice productive farmland.
Any apparent traffic problems occur during specific times only, due to an impatient commuter mentality. This manifests in drivers who can’t go fast enough. Chatham to Wallaceburg used to take half a day. It now takes between 20-25 minutes, or 15-20 with the preferred former speed limit of 90 km/h, which could be reviewed.
Hwy. 40 is one of several shared roads between two neighbouring towns, not the 401 Autobahn from Windsor to Quebec. Express-minded drivers may need assistance adjusting their approach. I recommend Young Drivers of Canada. They can help re-establish courteous, defensive and collision-free driving.
Brock Turner
Chatham
