Intersection project in Waterloo draws ire of locals after popular trees were removed

By Matt Hutcheson

The residents of an Uptown Waterloo neighbourhood are up in arms after the city cut down a pair of beloved fruit trees to make way for intersection improvements.

The trees were located on a patch of grass at the intersection where Willow Street becomes William Street East. That area also includes a multi-use trail, a rail crossing and the Spur Line Trail.

The city has begun work to improve the crossing, making it safer and easier for cyclists and pedestrians to make their way through the intersection and onto the trails.

Bob Henderson, Director of Transportation, City of Waterloo told The Mike Farwell Show the plans do include replacing the lost foliage.

“When we’re done this project we’re replacing the trees like-for-like as best we can. So, there is going to be green space put back in there.”

He goes on to say the city is doing this with an eye to the future.

“Let’s face it, this project after it’s all said and done is going to improve the aesthetics of the area. We’re doing this project not only for today’s users but also future generations.”

Henderson says the overall cost of the project is $60,000. But around 75 per cent of that is coming from development charges. So the impact to the tax base is only around $15,000 or one-tenth of 1 per cent of the city’s tax base.

Should everything go according to plan, including cooperation from Mother Nature, the project should be completed in around three weeks.

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