Moving Forward 2031: Region of Waterloo Long-Term Transportation Plan

The Region of Waterloo will develop a long-term transportation plan to accommodate expected population growth and provide the community with alternatives to automobile use. A steering committee with representatives from the City of Kitchener, the City of Cambridge and the townships of North Dumfries, Wilmot, Wellesley and Woolwich will guide the process, beginning with public consultations to set goals and objectives. These public consultations, along with assessment of land-use options and best practices in other municipalities, will inform the development of both a policy framework and a strategic plan that prioritizes transit improvements. The team will also identify financial, structural and operational requirements to support the Transportation Master Plan (TMP). The TMP will include a monitoring process and performance indicators. The plan will lay the groundwork for several capital projects, including rapid transit and Grand River Transit infrastructure, multi-modal infrastructure and bicycling facilities. Since only four per cent of the population currently uses public transit, these improvements will significantly reduce traffic congestion and demand for new road infrastructure, easing pressures on the natural environment. The combined initiatives will likely cut more than 10,000 tonnes of CO2-equivalent greenhouse gases annually, as well as reduce particulate matter, volatile organic compounds and other harmful emissions.