Brantford South Access Road (BSAR) begins planning and construction. "While the first stage progressed uninterrupted, the passage of a bylaw providing for the second stage...elicited immediate and sustained opposition." Muir, Gary, (2001). Brantford: A City's Century 1895 - 2000, Vol Two Quest for Identity 1945-2000. Tupuna Press.
Oak Park Extension started out as northern extension of the BSAR.
1980 to 1986 - Beginnings
After years of negotiation, the city and county (then township) agree to annexation of lands in the Northwest and Southwest with the intention of building a road connection. This would be considered the Northwest Extension of the BSAR.
Homeowners in the area contacted in 1980 for input and in 1983 the area is recommended to be "protected" for future building.
Opposition began almost immediately.
1990 to 1992 - Sewer debate starts, cemetery dedicated
1990 homeowners once again contacted about "West BSAR Extension" project and public information sessions held.
1992 the Oakhill Cemetery is dedicated and the original designs do show the road going through it.
City decides to proceed with sewer trunk on route of future roadway to kickstart development in the Northwest.
1994 - occupation by Six Nations
In January Six Nations people and local activists occupy the island in the middle of the Grand at the crossing point.
Gypsum deposits are identified in the area.
1997 to 1998 - Sewer project moves forward then hits a snag
After negotiations between then Mayor Friel and the Six Nations Elected Council in the fall of 1997, the sewer project begins to move forward again with an initial plan to put the sewer connection under the river.
Traditional Chiefs of the Six Nations still have objections.
Within a few months of declaring the project "on track" it goes majorly off track when directional drilling fails because of unexpectedly hard rock and gypsum contaminated silt enters the Grand River.
1998 to 1999 - Current Pedestrian Bridge Built
In April of 1998 it is clear that the previous plan to run the sewer under the river would not work and a proposal for a pedestrian bridge was approved in June of that year.
By 1999 the trail bridge was under construction.
2009 - Oak Park Road Extension killed?
In May of 2009 the city's General Manager of Engineering, Sandra Lawson, recommended to council that an environmental assessment of the OPRE should be completed because "the project is forecast to be required between 2017 and 2021".
In November of 2009, council moved to scrap plans for the Oak Park Extension. Councilor Dan McCreary (still serving) commented "I don't know why we would want to do this. I really don't. I think we've had enough of Toronto Consultants and far too little of people who live in our neighbourhoods."
2014 to now - Not dead yet
2014 Transportation Master Plan lists OPRE as a "medium term" project.
August 2019, Brantford Council approves motion to go ahead with Feasibility Study of the OPRE.
In 2019, Parsons (an American firm described as being specialists in "Defense, Intelligence and Critical Infrastructure" are given the contract for a Feasibility Study and a Municipal Level Environmental Assessment.
In June 2021, Council voted to defer the Oak Park Extension final decision until Q4 2023 pending further traffic studies and agreement with Brant County on a joint transportation plan.
We use cookies to analyze website traffic and optimize your website experience. By accepting our use of cookies, your data will be aggregated with all other user data.