Written By Jan Sims
MIDDLESEX CENTRE - Middlesex Centre will be looking well beyond the new year, as two key documents take shape in the municipality: the Transportation Master Plan and the Servicing Master Plan. Both plans are designed to support development in the community over the next 20 years.
The Servicing Master Plan looks at infrastructure needs, focusing on water, wastewater, stormwater and waste management. The most recent key development in the plan’s journey from vision to reality include approval in principle by council last summer. The document was then forwarded to the province. The only outstanding issues expected to be resolved in 2025 are archaeological assessments for pumping stations in Komoka, Ilderton and Delaware.
By geographical area, the big projects laid out in the report include spending $9 million to upgrade the Ilderton Wastewater Treatment Plant in 2028, spending more than $22 million on the Komoka Wastewater Treatment Plant, improving waste treatment in Delaware to the tune of $48 million with no stated timeline, and building a new pumping station in Arva for $3.8 million at a time that will be determined by growth in development.
Underscoring both Master Plans is the expectation of population growth. It’s estimated the number of residents will almost double by 2046 to 35,600 people. Already, Middlesex Centre is second only to Lucan Biddulph in the growth rate measured for Middlesex County from 2016 to 2021. Middlesex Centre experienced a 21.4% growth in population, while that number stood at 35.7% for Lucan Biddulph.
The Transportation Plan is a wide-ranging document that takes a visionary approach. “Transportation networks and services will provide the connectivity needed to move people and goods within, to and from our community safely, reliably and efficiently, while supporting a strong quality of life for Middlesex Centre residents, reducing negative environmental impacts, and exercising Municipal fiscal responsibility,” is a statement highlighted in the plan.
Specific recommendations are mentioned to help prevent traffic collisions at intersections on municipal roads where they most prevalent. This includes improved signage and fencing at Coldstream Rd. and Oxbow Dr. where 48% of collisions involve wildlife.