By: Christian Collington, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, TheIFP.ca
As Halton Hills maps its transportation future through 2051, this new year marks a pivotal juncture for the town’s mobility master plan.
Following a summer of public consultation that highlighted residents’ desire for better traffic flow and safer streets, the town is now preparing to present concrete options for the road ahead.
According to Alexandra Fuller, the town’s director of communications, residents can expect to see the next major step in the process early in 2026.
“The project team is currently developing the alternative solutions and finalizing the evaluation framework,” Fuller said, adding they are “expected to be presented to the public in Q1 2026, prior to conducting any detailed analysis.”
The push for a new master plan comes as the town faces significant growth pressures.
The plan, which has a June 2026 date for final presentation to council, aims to identify where population and employment increases will strain current infrastructure, requiring upgrades to roadway capacity and connectivity.
However, moving people efficiently isn’t just about widening roads. Fuller noted the plan focuses on closing critical gaps in “limited active transportation infrastructure,” such as the lack of continuous sidewalks and bike lanes — a sentiment echoed by residents during the first round of engagement.
According to the engagement summary released in August, 29 per cent of survey respondents identified a lack of walking and cycling infrastructure as a top issue, while 44 per cent cited a lack of transit availability.
“Safety concerns for pedestrians and cyclists” and “accessibility gaps for seniors, youth and people with disabilities” remain top priorities for the plan to address, Fuller added.
While specific changes to local roads have not yet been finalized, town staff is currently assessing “four alternatives which take differing strategic approaches to addressing Halton Hills’ transportation needs.”
These alternatives will be the subject of the next public open house in 2026, offering residents a chance to weigh in on which strategic direction the town should take.
This aligns with the feedback received so far, where residents expressed strong concerns regarding congestion, the impact of growth and a lack of mobility choices.
A key challenge for the plan is supporting active transportation while balancing the needs of drivers in a community where 99 per cent of survey respondents reported owning a car.
Fuller explained that the plan aims to support active transportation by “providing a range of safe, convenient, accessible and sustainable transportation alternatives,” while simultaneously “addressing road capacity and connectivity needs based on future population growth.”
This approach aligns with the town’s broader strategic plan, specifically:
Infrastructure and asset management: Ensuring resilient infrastructure keeps pace with growth.
Thriving economy: Improving connectivity across employment areas and facilitating the efficient movement of goods.
Safe and welcoming communities: Creating safer streets that support all users.
The master plan is not happening in isolation as it is being developed alongside the town’s official plan and the transit implementation plan.
“These projects are interconnected and will collectively shape Halton Hills’ future development,” Fuller said. “By aligning these efforts, the town can create a more cohesive, sustainable and integrated infrastructure system that will benefit both residents and businesses.”
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