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The Canadien Champion, Tuesday, March 3, 1998-11 Private sector to build and operate Hioghway 407 By PAUL MITCHISON grave concerna," she said. "I know the private sector can get But if it's a private-sector projeet, he said, it's important that the Special to The Champion things done quickly and efficiently!" toîl structure is low enough that it diverts traftic from the already For sale: The right to build and own two new highway exten- Officiais at the press conference refused to speculate on when overburdened Toronto-bound routes. sions, one exîstirîg highway, and the right to charge drivers for the tender would be awarded and when construction is likely to "If the tolling is in public banda. like it is now (in the completed using ail of it, begin, portion of the 407 Express Toîl Route), the public interest mîght A press conlerence was hcld recerïtly in Burlington. announicing 1-to Wong, Manager olTtransportation Sersvices toi laion he bre eed than i theuoîîîîîg silîrtule o rîîîîely o thino the( - not for the first time - plans to have the private sector build a Region, saîd the best Halton officiais can hope for is lu have the private sector, said Mr.-Wong. In pnivae bards they igbt only user-pay Hlighway 407. area portion of project buît by the year 2001. have an interest in retîning debt, rather than in diverting tratic. But members of the Mike Harris gove mment were on hand to argue that this latest initiative will lead to a better deal for taxpay -___ ers than a proposai originally announced a few years ago by the former NDP govemment. Rob Sampson, Minister without Portfolio with Responsibility for Privatization, said the Iatest method gets the job done faster and cheaper for taxpayers, and boosts the economy. "The highway will be sold through a fair, open and competitive process designed to gain maximum value for the province - we will proceed with the sale only if certain conditions are met," said Mr. Sampson. "Our intention is to have the private sector extend the length of Highway 407 at no cost to taxpayers." The Halton portion involves a 24-kilometre extension of the QEW and Hfighway 403 juncture in Burington, to Highway 407 Central from Highway 403 and Ninth Line on the Mississauga- Milton border. Some design, property acquisition and construction has been completed, and major interchanges at each end are partially built. It's expected the project would help ease congestion and reduce wear on the QEW and Highway 5 Joyce Savoline, Halton regional chair, said she wants the long- delayed project to happen as quickly as possible, and welcomed the announcement. "If this process is going to take a long time, then we have some Milton Toastmasters holds its annual International Speech and Evaluation Contest at the Royal Canadian Legion at 7:30 p.m. Contact Las Polcz at 878-1394 for more information. Tuesday Mar. 3 - 4 Cultural Interpretation Training Sessions mun from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. at Glen Abbey Recreation and Aquatic Centre, locat- ed at 1415 Third Line in Oakville. Contact the Halton Multicultural Council at 842-2486 for more information. Wednesday Mar. 4 Registrations will be taken for September at the Hornby Co- operative Nursery School's open house from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Morning and afternoon classes are available. For more information, caîl 878-5211. Thursday Mar. 5 Overeaters Anonymous meets every Thursday at 10 a.m. at Bethe] Christian Reform Church on Hwy. 7 in Acton. Caîl 878- 1039 or 878-2545 for more information. The Canadian Federation of University Women, Milton and District, holds its next general meeting at Hugh Foster Hall at 7:30 p.m. Dr. Kin Chung, acupuncturist, will be the guest speaker. New members are always welcome. Friday Mar. 6 Enjoy a ham dinner at St. Paul's United Chiirch from 5 to 7 see DATELINE on page 17 Cuttighair isIlike upting. To bectaente&L.you've got to bc an artisti [n10 Years in th Faion PARIS FRANZCE. 'l09 ocig Nm 4dr, magenta ... your 197Poip$tl , . .. e vent1»PlmuhMo,4d. e...-.... listing I tmtf o»wSwgn rè tOPLYMOUTH10 878- DODGE 4943. HYSE MONi! ,-I ~.1 1 DA YSEDS 1