Brantford Mayor Kevin Davis is sounding the alarm on worsening traffic congestion in West Brant, saying a long-term solution is urgently needed — and the long-discussed Oak Park Road extension is back on the table.
Speaking at the Chamber of Commerce Brantford Brant on Thursday, Davis earned applause by announcing that the Ava Road Bridge will soon reopen. However, he warned the relief may be short-lived.
“With the bridge reopening, we’re going to see Brant Avenue return to gridlock, and it will only get worse each year,” Davis said. He noted that traffic experts predict it could take up to 20 minutes to travel Brant Avenue within 15 years.
“This issue has been kicked down the road for decades,” Davis added. “We can’t afford to delay action any longer.”
Oak Park Road Extension Under Review
The proposed solution — an extension of Oak Park Road — has faced pushback from residents in the past. However, it will return to city council’s agenda this fall when the results of the Stage 2 Environmental Assessment are presented.
This assessment will include potential route options, environmental concerns, and key considerations. While alternate routes have been discussed, those would require involvement from Brant County, which has yet to commit, leaving the Oak Park extension as the only viable option, according to Davis.
With West Brant’s continued growth and new developments around Paris Road and Powerline Road, traffic pressure is expected to increase, making the need for action more urgent.
Food Insecurity and Public Transit Also in Focus
During the Q&A session, Davis addressed other major city issues, including food insecurity. In March, Brantford declared a food insecurity emergency as demand for the Brantford Food Bank continues to rise. The city supports the food bank through funds from Elements Casino Brantford, but Davis called on provincial and federal governments to increase support for those on Ontario Works and ODSP, stating current aid is “not realistic.”
On public transit, Davis acknowledged years of underinvestment and outdated service. Council has prioritized transit improvements, including:
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A secondary hub in the city’s north end
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A more efficient grid system
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Introduction of an on-demand transit model
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Expansion of service to new boundary areas
Brantford is also in talks with GO Transit, the Ministry of Transportation, and CN Rail to advocate for expanded regional train service, aiming to better connect the city with the Greater Golden Horseshoe.
