Mississauga Moves 2015 a Turning Point in the City’s Transportation Future

Mississauga is experiencing a turning point in the development of its transportation system. Today, more than 300 people looked into the future of travel throughout the City, at the first ever transportation summit – Mississauga Moves 2015, held at the Living Arts Centre.

“Mississauga is a City committed to building transit,” said Mayor Bonnie Crombie. “The results of today’s first-ever transportation summit will shape Mississauga’s transit priorities as we build up our City over the next 25 years,” she added. “We are here to listen to the ideas and solutions residents have toward making Mississauga an even better place to live, work and achieve unrivalled success.”

Registered attendees heard from panel experts on Complete Streets; these are designed to embrace all road users through inclusiveness, safety, comfort, efficiency and public space.  Attendees also had the opportunity to design their own transit network or tour the Mississauga Transitway, as well as learn about Mississauga’s transportation story in terms of dealing with growth and congestion and possibilities for the future.

“Participation today will impact how we implement change; a process that will begin with the development of our Transportation Master Plan in 2016,” said Martin Powell, commissioner Transportation and Works and MC for the day. “We not only attracted the best local and international transportation experts but we brought together a transportation showcase that encompasses all areas of transportation.”

Powell further explained, Mississauga Moves 2015 allowed residents to listen, be heard and brainstorm innovative strategies for moving around the City more efficiently in the future on foot, by bicycle, car and public transit.

Keynote speaker Sam Schwartz, better known as “Gridlock Sam” a leading transportation expert in the United States, shared his insights on how Mississauga can become more “street smart” and move toward reducing cars and increasing use of public transit, walking and cycling.

The discussion will continue in 2016, with the development of the City’s Transportation Master Plan (TMP). Input gathered from today’s summit is only the first step, watch for broader outreach and input from the community in the new year, added Powell.