Emil Kolb Parkway to open soon

July 30, 2015 · 0 Comments

By Bill Rea
It’s been talked about for decades, but the final link in the Bolton bypass is about to open.
The entire road itself is not slated to open until Aug. 10, but there was a celebration of its completion Tuesday.
The new road is 4.2 kilometres in length and it connects Regional Road 50 to the north of Bolton with Coleraine Drive to the west. This will eliminate the need for through traffic to drive through the Bolton core, thus reducing traffic volumes.
The road has been named after Emil Kolb, who was Chair of Peel Region for 32 years, stepping down last fall, after serving as Mayor of Caledon and sitting on both Caledon and Albion Township councils. He drove along the road to the ceremonies, accompanied by current Regional Chair Frank Dale.
“The project is well overdue, and will be a tremendous benefit for the community,” Dale commented.
“We have certainly named the road appropriately,” he added. “Emil likely completed more of the design work on the road than staff.”
The decision to name the road in honour of Kolb was made about a year ago, and Mayor Allan Thompson observed that he was privileged to put forth the necessary motion at Regional council. “It’s a nice way to say ‘Thanks for everything you’ve done,’” he told Kolb.
Kolb went over the history of the project, recalling he first heard of the idea of a bypass as a youngster, overhearing farmers and business people talk about the need for one to take the pressure off the valley.
Kolb said he convinced Town council in 1983 to start a full environmental assessment on a possible bypass, with the study area stretching from Mayfield Road to Castlederg Sideroad. The EA was finally approved some 25 years later, in 2008, as Kolb reflected on all the issues and delays that had to be dealt with.
As well, Kolb reflected on how he learned the road was going to be named after him.
He had been presiding over a Regional council meeting last June when the clerk told him he would have a conflict of interest on an upcoming agenda item and should leave the chambers. He was a little puzzled, but he left, and when he returned, several councillors were laughing.
“I guess we should tell Emil,” he remembered Mississauga Councillor Pat Saito saying.
“It’s truly an honour to have my name associated with this progress,” Kolb commented. “This is a very proud time for me, my wife Beryle, my children, my grandchildren and my great-grandchildren.”

Signs like this one will soon be marking Emil Kolb Parkway. Joining Kolb for Tuesday;s celebration were Brampton Councillor John Sprovieri, Caledon Councillor Rob Mezzapelli, Peel Regional Chair Frank Dale, Mayor Allan Thompson and Caledon Councillor Nick deBoer.
Photo by Bill Rea