


One must hope, therefore, that the rising cost of gasoline over the next 20 years will be addressed by the Comprehensive Plan – anticipating that the price per litre will possibly soar to $3, $5, $10 or more.
The transportation cost for people to travel from Ottawa to Mississippi Mills will consequently skyrocket – with profound impact on the economy of the Town.
Currently, travelers from Ottawa to Mississippi Mills inject very sizable revenues into the Town’s economy – in a multitude of ways. So, as the trip from Ottawa becomes increasingly costly, one can anticipate those travelers will hit a threshold and then fewer and fewer of them will feel they can afford to make the trip here. When that happens, how will the Town sustain itself?
I submit that this is the fundamental transportation problem facing the Town (the elephant in the room, if you like). Addressing this problem is going to require best minds – inside and outside the community – continually to be applied, energetically and creatively. No single consulting study could conceivably suffice.
One cannot expect panaceas. (Bicycle transportation, while laudable, is but a small component of a comprehensive strategy, considering our winters.) It seems there is little choice but boldly to tackle this impending transportation problem. It isn’t going to go away!
Michael Caughey
Almonte