TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE
2004-03-29
Meeting No. 3
Attendance
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J. Livey, Chief Administrative Officer
J. Baird, Commissioner of Development Services
A. Taylor, Commissioner, Corporate Services (1.35pm)
M. Turner, Commissioner, Strategy, Innovation and Partnerships
A. Arbuckle, Manager of Infrastructure
& Capital Works
A. Brown, Director of Engineering
S. Chait, Director, Economic Development
L. Mele, Development Engineer
A. Mukherjee, Manager, Transportation/
Engineering
C. Raynor, Committee Clerk
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The
Transportation Committee convened at the hour of 1:00 p.m. with Councillor K.
Usman in the Chair.
DISCLOSURE OF INTEREST
None disclosed.
1. URBAN
TRANSPORT SHOWCASE PROGRAM -
SMART COMMUTE INITIATIVE
(5.12) Weblink 1 2 3 4 5
Mr.
A. Brown, Director, Engineering spoke briefly on the issue of the Smart Commute
Initiative. He outlined that staff were seeking approval to sign a Memorandum
of Understanding with York Region in order to proceed with the GTA-wide
program. It was stated that staff are confident that the Markham Centre Transport
Management Initiative can also be included in the program, and that the program
already includes the Highway 404/Highway 7 Traffic Management Association.
Mr.
Brown also gave brief details on the financial arrangements of the program.
Moved by Councillor
A. Chiu
Seconded by
Councillor J. Webster
That the staff
report entitled Urban Transportation Showcase Program (UTSP) - Smart Commute
Initiative, dated March 29, 2004, be received;
And that Town
of Markham financial participation in the program on a cost sharing basis be
subject to approval of corresponding accounts in the 2004 Capital Budget –
Accounts #141 (TDM/TMA/TMI) and # 142 (Urban Showcase), as outlined in the
Report;
And that the
Mayor and Town Clerk be authorized to execute the Memorandum of Understanding
(MOU) with the Region of York for the Urban Transportation Showcase Program to
the satisfaction of the Director of Engineering, Town Solicitor and CAO;
And that a
request be made to York Region to include the Markham Centre area transportation
management initiative in the GTA wide program, including the opportunity to
leverage investments and benefit from the UTSP funding;
And
that the Hwy. 404/7 TMA Steering Team organizational structure and Draft Terms
of Reference, attached to the report (and attached to the original Council
minutes on file in the Office of the Clerk), be
endorsed.
CARRIED
2. STATUS
REPORT ON THE RODICK ROAD/HIGHWAY 407
OVERPASS CONSTRUCTION PROJECT
(5.10, 7.5, 8.0) Weblink
Mr. A. Brown,
Director, Engineering outlined the issues surrounding this project. It was
stated that the following problems had been resolved:
-
Magna International - lands have now been expropriated;
-
407 ETR and Ministry of Transportation – construction and maintenance policies
now in place;
-
Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA) – reached compromise regarding
Beaver Creek crossing;
-
York Region – sewer, rapid transit and funding
There was some
discussion surrounding the TRCA issue. Staff stated that during the original
Environmental Assessment process, a box culvert was proposed and this was
accepted by the TRCA. Subsequently, the TRCA requested a full bridge span of
Beaver Creek. It was estimated this would add several months to the
construction process and $2 million in costs. Staff also indicated that box
culverts are currently in place upstream and downstream of the proposed
crossing.
Staff
confirmed that they have reached a compromise with the TRCA and have amended
the plans to incorporate an open footing culvert. It was clarified that the
TRCA also acts on behalf of the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO), and
that a construction permit is expected shortly.
The Committee
suggested that staff meet with the TRCA in order to avoid similar difficulties
in the future. Staff advised that they had already been requested by Council to
meet with the TRCA and DFO in regard to the 16th Avenue Sanitary
Sewer Dewatering project and that staff would raise the matter at that meeting.
Moved by
Councillor A. Chiu
Seconded by
Councillor S. Daurio
That the Engineering Department report entitled “ Status Report on the Rodick Road/Highway 407 Overpass
Construction Project” dated March 29, 2004 be received;
And that the Region of York be requested to provide funding for the
project in the amount of one-third of the capital cost of the project in
accordance with Regional policies regarding funding of 400 Series Highway overpasses;
And that the Mayor and Clerk be authorized to enter into an Agreement
with 407 ETR for the construction and maintenance of the proposed Rodick
Road/Highway 407 overpass structure and related works to the satisfaction of
the CAO and Town Solicitor;
And that a contingency amount of $20,000 be authorized to cover the
potential cost of 407 ETR technical auditor’s review, permit administration and
inspection fees to be funded from the Engineering Department’s approved 2002
Capital Budget (account # 083-5350-4731-005);
And that the Engineering Department be authorized to increase the
detailed design fee to Marshall Macklin Monaghan Limited by a maximum amount of
$75,000 excluding GST to cover the cost of additional design services required
to address fisheries habitat issues and the redesign of the Beaver Creek
crossing structure to be funded from the Engineering Department’s approved 2003
Capital Budget (account # 083-5350-4731-005);
And that the balance of the fund in account # 083-5350-4731-005 in the
amount of $6,205,000 be applied to the
construction of the project;
And that in the event that an acceptable agreement on a revised fee for
construction inspection and contract administration services cannot be reached
with the existing consulting firm engaged on the project, the Engineering
Department be authorized to pre-qualify three consulting engineering firms for
the provision of these services during the construction of the project and to
request detailed proposals from these pre-qualified firms.
CARRIED
3. STATUS REPORT ON THE
ENTERPRISE DRIVE/HELEN AVENUE EXTENSION & GO RAIL
GRADE SEPARATION CONSTRUCTION PROJECT (5.10, 5.14.2, 8.0)
Weblink
Mr. A. Brown, Director, Engineering, briefly outlined a number of items
of work that have been added to the project since the Environmental Assessment
(EA) which have affected the cost and timing.
Moved by Councillor S. Daurio
Seconded by Councillor A. Chiu
That the report entitled “Status Report
on the Enterprise Drive/Helen Avenue
Extension & GO Rail Grade Separation Construction Project” dated March 29 2004 be received;
And that the Engineering
Department be authorized to include the installation of local services as a
part of the Enterprise Drive/Helen Avenue construction;
And that the total cost of designing and installing these local services plus
interest be included in the Area Specific Development Charge for the East Precinct
area of Markham Centre;
And that the Mayor and Clerk be authorized to enter into an Agreement with
the Region of York for the construction and maintenance of the York Rapid
Transit Program portion of the GO Rail Grade Separation structure to the satisfaction
of the CAO and Town Solicitor;
And that the
Mayor and Clerk be authorized to enter into Agreements with Remington Group and
other agencies which may be required to implement the construction of the Enterprise Drive/Helen Avenue Extension & GO Rail Grade
Separation Construction Project to the
satisfaction of the CAO and Town Solicitor.
CARRIED
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Other matters considered by the
Transportation Committee on March 29, 2004
4. YRTP
– QUICK START AND
FULL SYSTEM ROUTE
ALIGNMENTS/STATIONS (5.14)
Ms.
M. Turner, Commissioner, Strategy, Innovation and Partnerships gave a detailed
presentation outlining the progress of the York Rapid Transit Program (YRTP)
alignments and station locations for both the Quick Start program and the Full
Service.
There
will be two (2) construction elements: the Quick Start service, with stops to
be located at the curbside, and the Full System which will operate on central
runways with stations. Construction on the Quick Start project, which is
estimated to last eighteen (18) months, will commence in late April, or early
May 2004. The Committee was concerned that Enterprise Drive, part of the
preferred alignment of the system, will not be opened in time. Staff suggested
that currently Enterprise Drive should be completed on schedule. Staff also
stated that Ward Councillors would be kept informed as to work scheduled in
their areas.
It
is thought that work will need to be done with the utility companies to
relocate their services at eight (8) intersections in Markham in order to
accommodate the Quick Start system. It was stated that these services would be
relocated with due consideration to the proposed widening of Highway 7 at a
later date. The construction project will be divided into eight (8) zones.
Following
the conclusion of the Environmental Assessments (EA) for the three corridors of
the Full System, the alignment of routes and design parameters will be set.
Construction of the Full System is expected to take seven (7) years.
There
was considerable discussion surrounding the preferred alignments for the
Highway #7 corridor and Vaughan North-South Link Transitway. Staff indicated
that the IBM campus is likely to provide the largest rider-ship source and that
using South Town Centre Boulevard (the preferred option) would allow better
access to the campus than would Warden Avenue, and that staff are in
negotiations with IBM regarding access. There was some concern that this route
would require an additional crossing over the Rouge River. It was stated that
if a new crossing were not constructed, and Warden Avenue were used instead, it
would still be necessary to widen the existing crossing on Warden Avenue.
There was also
brief discussion regarding the planned Operations and Maintenance facility, and
Langstaff Transit Terminal. Staff indicated that they are intending to
incorporate underground parking. It was suggested that work be done to produce
elevation diagrams, or similar, in order to communicate that fact to the public
Staff advised
that they will provide further updates regarding their talks with IBM
surrounding South Town Centre Boulevard access, and will give notice of the
Environmental Assessment public meetings. They also agreed to provide further
information regarding the number of “far side” stops on Yonge Street, as well
as a detailed breakdown of the stops proposed for Markham, with their exact
location.
Moved by
Councillor A. Chiu
Seconded by
Councillor E. Shapero
That
the presentation by Ms. M. Turner, Commissioner, Strategy, Innovation, and
Partnerships regarding York Rapid Transit Program – Quick Start and Full System
Route Alignments/Stations, be received.
CARRIED
COMMUNICATIONS
RECOMMENDATION:
That
Transportation Committee receive and consents to the disposition of Item Nos. 5
to 7 in the following communications:
5. MR.
A. BROWN, DIRECTOR, ENGINEERING
MEMORANDUM REGARDING REGION OF
YORK
SPEED LIMIT POLICY (5.12.2,
13.4)
6. ELIZABETH
CAMPBELL
SAFETY IN FRONT OF MILLIKEN
MILLS HIGH SCHOOL (5.12)
Moved
by Councillor A. Chiu
Seconded
by Councillor J. Webster
That
the email from Ms. E. Campbell, Markham resident, dated March 7, 2004 relating
to safety concerns in the area surrounding Milliken Mills High School be
received and referred to staff and Paul
Jankowski, Director, Infrastructure, Design and Construction, York Region.
CARRIED
7. REGIONAL
COUNCILLOR J. HEATH AND DAVID SIMPSON
GO TRAIN PARKING (5.12.4,
5.14.2)
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Seconded by
Councillor S. Daurio
That the
meeting resolve in-camera to discuss a confidential matter. (2:35 p.m.)
CARRIED
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ADJOURNMENT
The
Transportation Committee meeting adjourned at the hour of 2:45 p.m.