|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
TO: |
Mayor and Members of Council |
|
|
|
|
FROM: |
Alan
Brown, Director of Engineering |
|
|
|
|
PREPARED BY: |
same as above |
|
|
|
|
DATE OF MEETING: |
2005-Oct-17 |
|
|
|
|
SUBJECT: |
Hwy 407
Interchanges with 9th Line and Markham By-pass |
|
|
|
RECOMMENDATION:
That
And that the Region of York be
requested to finance 50% of a traffic and financial model for the outstanding
Hwy 407 ramps at 9th Line and Markham By-pass;
And that subject to the 2006 Capital Budget
approval, staff in conjunction with the Region of York be authorized to retain
on a sole source basis a consultant to undertake a traffic and financial model
for the northbound access ramps to Hwy 407 for 9th Line and Markham
By-pass;
And that staff report back to committee as to
results of the traffic and financial model and negotiations with 407ETR to
construct the outstanding access ramps;
And that B. MacGregor, Commissioner
of Transportation and Works for the Regional Municipality of York, be advised
accordingly.
PURPOSE:
To update Council on the
status of the outstanding ramps to Hwy 407 at 9th Line and the
Markham By-pass.
BACKGROUND:
Currently the 9th Line and Markham
By-pass interchanges with Hwy 407 do not provide for northbound traffic to access either the
westbound or eastbound lanes of Hwy 407.
This has resulted in northbound vehicles making U-turns on 9th
Line to gain access to Hwy 407. Although U-turn restrictions have also been
installed by the Region, on 9th Line vehicles continue to make this
movement. The Markham By-pass extension
south of Hwy 407 to 9th Line is expected to be operational in 2006/2007
and similar u-turns are expected.
OPTIONS/DISCUSSION:
407 ETR staff have
advised that their agreement with the Province does not require them to
construct these ramps and their priority for future capital improvements is the
expansion of the highway which is currently underway. However they advised that they would be
prepared to consider a business case which would outline future revenue from
traffic utilizing the ramps and the payback period for the capital and
operating costs associated with constructing each ramp. 407 ETR staff advised that the typical cost
for a northbound to westbound ramp is ± $1.75 million and for a northbound to
eastbound ramp is ± $2 million.
In order to advance the resolution of this
matter, the Region and Town would be required to undertake a traffic and
financial model which would estimate future use of each ramp and revenue
forecast. The models would likely have
to be undertaken by a preferred firm who is qualified to update past models completed
for Hwy 407. Approval to sole source
this work from Council is required.
It is recommended the Region of York and Town
of
The likely outcome of this work and negotiation
with 407 ETR is that the Region/Markham will be asked to upfront the cost for
the ramp(s) construction until it becomes financially viable for the 407 ETR to
justify the expenditure. In this
scenario, and given the potential of upfronting ± $2
million cost per ramp staff recommend the Region/Markham prioritize the
ramps. The northbound Markham By-pass to
westbound 407 will likely be the ramp which will be justified at the earliest
stage from a cost/benefit perspective by the 407 ETR.
Subject to Markham Council’s approval of this
report and Regional Council’s similar approval Regional/Town staff will
commence the process and report back as to the results of the model, negotiation
with 407 ETR and recommendations.
FINANCIAL CONSIDERATIONS:
Subject to 2006 Capital Budget approval, funds
will be available to finance
BUSINESS UNITS CONSULTED AND AFFECTED:
Finance Department has reviewed and commented
on report.
ATTACHMENTS:
Attachment ‘A’ - Map
|
|
|
|
|
Alan Brown, C.E.T. Director of Engineering |
|
Jim Baird, M.C.I.P., R.P.P. Commissioner of Development Services |
Q:\Development\Engineering\REPORTS\2005\Oct\Hwy
407 interchange with 9 line and markham bypass 101705.doc
