A virtual look at what Thompson Square would look like post construction of Windsor Bridge Option 1 didn’t win many fans at the Windsor Business Group meeting on Monday.
The virtual program showed what the bridge and its approa-ches would look like once it was built. It also showed how traffic would move, what the landscape around George and Bridge streets would look, once completed.
While the projections were impressive, RMS officer Iain MacLeod had to field questions on just how the proposed bridge planned on improving traffic flow not just for Windsor, but the Hawkesbury as a whole.
Treasurer of the Windsor Business Group, Sue Wingate, questioned the lack of strategic planning for improving traffic in the Hawkesbury area, to which Mr MacLeod responded it wasn’t necessary as the project was one of replacing the existing bridge, due to its age and deterioration.
Chairman of the Community Action for Windsor Bridge group Dail Miller described the recent visits by officers such as Mr Macleod as “staff sent out to do sales jobs on the community”.
“The Government is willing to spend $45 million on a project that won’t alleviate traffic issues, that won’t benefit the local economy, and that will irreversibly change the character of Thompson Square,” Mr Miller said.
The plans for Windsor Bridge Option 1 include a roundabout at Freemans Reach and Wilberforce roads and traffic lights at the intersection of Bridge and George streets in Windsor.
It includes a no right turn down eastern George Street off Bridge Street heading north, but does allow a right turn off Bridge Street into George Street which was previously a concern in early plans. The Option 1 plans will be on public exhibition in November for a month and community members are urged to make submissions to the RMS.
