Comments on: 10 facts about the consultant’s selection process http://www.stopthebridge.org/2009/01/10-facts-about-the-consultants-selection-process/ No to Kettle Island. Yes to Healthy Communities. Wed, 11 Jan 2012 21:46:48 -0600 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.6 hourly 1 By: Bob M http://www.stopthebridge.org/2009/01/10-facts-about-the-consultants-selection-process/comment-page-1/#comment-2664 Bob M Fri, 06 Feb 2009 11:37:20 +0000 http://www.stopthebridge.org/?p=807#comment-2664 We must not forget how the Gatineau mayor mentioned (I can't find the direct quote right now) how they have already spent money developing their side of the Kettle Island corridor. It is worrisome that the selection phase may have been intended to be a formality. I also worry that the head of the NCC used to be a planning engineer for the City of Gatineau. I am getting so mad about this issue, that I will reiterate my opinion (as technical as city council's original decision) that we build no bridge for car or trucks. Let Gatineau work with the City of Ottawa to improve their transit and let the Province of Quebec finish their highway to Montreal. We must not forget how the Gatineau mayor mentioned (I can’t find the direct quote right now) how they have already spent money developing their side of the Kettle Island corridor. It is worrisome that the selection phase may have been intended to be a formality. I also worry that the head of the NCC used to be a planning engineer for the City of Gatineau.

I am getting so mad about this issue, that I will reiterate my opinion (as technical as city council’s original decision) that we build no bridge for car or trucks. Let Gatineau work with the City of Ottawa to improve their transit and let the Province of Quebec finish their highway to Montreal.

]]> By: Christine http://www.stopthebridge.org/2009/01/10-facts-about-the-consultants-selection-process/comment-page-1/#comment-2503 Christine Mon, 02 Feb 2009 16:07:24 +0000 http://www.stopthebridge.org/?p=807#comment-2503 In response to John Savage's comment. Yes, the answer to my question is extremely obvious. I just don't understand why the people against Kettle Island are the only ones that seem to get it! In response to John Savage’s comment.

Yes, the answer to my question is extremely obvious. I just don’t understand why the people against Kettle Island are the only ones that seem to get it!

]]> By: John Savage http://www.stopthebridge.org/2009/01/10-facts-about-the-consultants-selection-process/comment-page-1/#comment-2483 John Savage Mon, 02 Feb 2009 01:28:28 +0000 http://www.stopthebridge.org/?p=807#comment-2483 I think the obvious answer to your question: One might ask why the NCC and the MTO/MTQ felt compelled to pay the consultants $2.8M (before taxes) to complete a study to determine the best location for a bridge when City Council could make that same decision WITHOUT any information and 18 months sooner? .. is that this consultants report was designed to favour a Kettle Island bridge from the beginning, by weighting factors in a way that favoured this option. You are right that their support of this route has biased the findings, especially the way they have chosen to weigh the judging criteria. You have also illustrated that when one looks at other factors, including existing urban and environmental plans, a Kettle Island bridge option runs counter to these plans. In essence, a patch work of plans overlay one another and will not make any sense when stitched together. I think the obvious answer to your question:

One might ask why the NCC and the MTO/MTQ felt compelled to pay the consultants $2.8M (before taxes) to complete a study to determine the best location for a bridge when City Council could make that same decision WITHOUT any information and 18 months sooner?

.. is that this consultants report was designed to favour a Kettle Island bridge from the beginning, by weighting factors in a way that favoured this option. You are right that their support of this route has biased the findings, especially the way they have chosen to weigh the judging criteria.

You have also illustrated that when one looks at other factors, including existing urban and environmental plans, a Kettle Island bridge option runs counter to these plans. In essence, a patch work of plans overlay one another and will not make any sense when stitched together.

]]> By: Gisele http://www.stopthebridge.org/2009/01/10-facts-about-the-consultants-selection-process/comment-page-1/#comment-2473 Gisele Sun, 01 Feb 2009 16:02:34 +0000 http://www.stopthebridge.org/?p=807#comment-2473 In response to Gerry, First, our aim is to prevent Kettle Island from moving forward into Phase 2 of the EA. The Province of Ontario has recommended extending Phase 1 to provide further study of the top three corridors with respect to transit, impact on communities and economic benefit. In so recommending, they are indicating that they do not have sufficient information to go on for choosing the best interprovincial crossing at this time. We hope the NCC will agree with the recommendation this funding partner. Second, when the study moves forward into Phase 2 (with or without KI)the contract for Phase 2 will be put to tender. NCE-Roche may presumably bid for the contract, but they do not automatically have it. In response to Gerry,
First, our aim is to prevent Kettle Island from moving forward into Phase 2 of the EA.

The Province of Ontario has recommended extending Phase 1 to provide further study of the top three corridors with respect to transit, impact on communities and economic benefit. In so recommending, they are indicating that they do not have sufficient information to go on for choosing the best interprovincial crossing at this time. We hope the NCC will agree with the recommendation this funding partner.

Second, when the study moves forward into Phase 2 (with or without KI)the contract for Phase 2 will be put to tender. NCE-Roche may presumably bid for the contract, but they do not automatically have it.

]]> By: Gerry Conway http://www.stopthebridge.org/2009/01/10-facts-about-the-consultants-selection-process/comment-page-1/#comment-2470 Gerry Conway Sun, 01 Feb 2009 14:29:13 +0000 http://www.stopthebridge.org/?p=807#comment-2470 If we are successful in convincing the powers that be that 2 or God forbid 3 options be carried forward in the phase II study does anyone believe this consultant can approach the assignment objectively and impartiality? The NCC should retain the services of a new consultant with a comprehensive and balanced approach for phase II. If we are successful in convincing the powers that be that 2 or God forbid 3 options be carried forward in the phase II study does anyone believe this consultant can approach the assignment objectively and impartiality? The NCC should retain the services of a new consultant with a comprehensive and balanced approach for phase II.

]]>