SYNOPSIS OF ALIGNMENT EVALUATION FINDINGS

SEGMENT C (MARKHAM)

Objectives

And

Goals

Alternative C1:

Hwy 7 between Woodbine Ave. and Kennedy Rd.

Alternative C2:

Woodbine Ave., Yorktech Dr. to Markham Centre & Kennedy Rd. to Hwy 7

Alternative C3:

Hwy 7 from Woodbine Ave. to S. Town Centre Blvd. to Markham Centre & Kennedy Rd. to Hwy 7

Improve Mobility

· Inter-regional transit connectivity

· System expansion flexibility

· Speed, safety, ride comfort

· Service quality and effectiveness

· Station catchment

· Convenience of access

· Indirect service to future Markham Centre reduces daily boardings by 4-5%

· Has no direct connection to Stouffville GO service

· Good alignment geometry but Hwy 7 traffic activity could affect reliability

· Convenient access from residential use north of and mixed-use on Hwy 7

· Provides direct service to future Markham Centre and direct connection to GO Stouffville rail service

· Fair alignment geometry on partially exclusive ROW but still requires several at-grade intersections

· Station catchment is mainly employment and Markham Centre mixed-use

· Provides direct service to future Markham Centre and direct connection to GO Stouffville rail service

· Fair-good alignment geometry requiring several intersections and partial interface with Hwy 7 traffic activity

· Convenient access to mixed- uses along most of route

Protect & Enhance Social Environment

· Effects on communities

· Road traffic and pedestrian circulation

· Public safety and security

· Noise and vibration

· Effects on cultural resources

· Community vistas and street aesthetics

· Causes very few adverse community effects after construction

· Hwy 7 median location has most traffic interface with greater safety risk

· Alignment entirely in Hwy 7 minimizes effect of system noise and vibration and offers good urban design potential

· Minimal effect on community vistas

· Some intrusion in river/ creek valleys but few other adverse community effects

· No Hwy 7 traffic interface but route requires most intersections

· Noise & vibration attenuation may be required in Markham Centre civic mall and river valleys.

· Urban design potential mainly in Markham Centre and Kennedy Road.

· Minor intrusion in river valley and few other adverse community effects

· Some Hwy 7 traffic interface and several intersections increases safety risk

· Noise & vibration attenuation may be required in Markham Centre civic mall

· Good urban design potential in Markham Centre, on Kennedy Road and Hwy 7, particularly at Civic Centre

Protect Natural Environment

· Effect on aquatic ecosystems

· Effect on terrestrial ecosystems

· Effect on Air Quality

· Effect on Hydro-geological conditions

· Has little adverse effect on aquatic & terrestrial ecosystems

· Some potential for minor effect on air quality

· Highest number of potentially hazardous material sites

· Potential for some effects on aquatic ecosystems due to the alignment requiring new crossings at Beaver Creek and Apple Creek

· Least potential for adverse effect on air quality (fewer receptors)

· Few potentially hazardous material sites

· Potential for some effects on aquatic ecosystems due to the alignment requiring bridge widening at Beaver Creek and Apple Creek

· Minor potential for adverse air quality effects

· Few potentially hazardous material sites

Promote Smart Growth / Economic Development

· Regional/Mun. Plans and Urban Structure

· Access to community facilities

· Effect on business activities

· Goods movement

· Promote transit-oriented development

· Conforms well with planning policies and provides acceptable access to community facilities, but by-passes Markham Centre

· Provides good potential for increase in existing business activities along Hwy 7

· Provides opportunities for higher order uses

· Conforms with planning policies and supports urban structure of Region

· Provides good access to community facilities

· Serves Markham Centre well, Civic Centre less convenient

· Provides some potential for increase in existing business activities (Kennedy,Woodbine

· Provides good opportunities for TODs / higher order use

· Conforms best with planning policies and supports urban structure of Region

· Provides very good access to community facilities

· Serves both Civic Centre and Markham Centre well

· Provides good potential for increase in existing business activities (Hwy 7, Kennedy)

· Provides good opportunities for TODs / higher order use

Maximize Cost-effectiveness of rapid transit

· Effect on Capital Costs

· Property required

Effect on operating and maintenance costs

· Capital cost +/- $147 million

· Minor property cost

· Lowest vehicle and O&M costs due to alignment being shortest.

· Capital cost +/- $154 million

· Property cost for 2.5km ROW

· Vehicle and O&M costs marginally higher due to longer alignment

· Capital cost +/- $156 million

· Property cost for 0.6 km ROW

· Vehicle and O&M costs marginally higher due to longer alignment.