General Committee
	TO:	Mayor and Members of Council
	FROM:	Alan Brown, Director of Engineering
	PREPARED BY:	Ralph Ehlers, Capital Engineer
	DATE OF MEETING:	2005-Jun-20
	SUBJECT:	Region of York Class Environmental Assessment York/Durham Line (Y.R. 30) Steeles Avenue to Highway 7

RECOMMENDATION:

That the staff report entitled “Region of York Class Environmental Assessment, York/Durham Line (Y.R. 30) Steeles Avenue to Highway 7 dated June 13, 2005 be received;

And that the preferred design for the widening and realignment of the York/Durham Line as described in the Environmental Study Report prepared by the Region be endorsed subject to the following conditions:

1. The Region coordinate with area residents regarding the modifications to the intersection of 14^th Avenue and York/Durham Line;
2. The Region prepare a Landscape Plan to address restoration of lost vegetation;
3. The Region, prior to the removal of any vegetation, undertake a photographic documentation and mapping report including the views and vistas of the roadway and the sidelines. The report should be filed with the Markham Museum;
4. Final design drawings and specifications be submitted to the Town for review prior to the tender of the project including engineering design drawings, traffic management plans, tree preservation plans, stormwater management plans and erosion and sediment control plans;
5. The Region prepare a Communication Plan prior to the start of construction to provide the public with details of the proposed construction activities and project schedule;
6. All construction activities comply with all relevant Town by-laws, including hours of operation unless otherwise approved by Markham Council.

And that the schedule for the widening and realignment of York/Durham Line be subject to further consultation with the Region in relation to Stage 1 and Stage 2.

And that Mr. K. Schipper, Commissioner of Works, Region of York be advised accordingly.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:

The Region of York has completed a Class Environmental Assessment for the widening and realignment of the York Durham Line from Steeles Avenue to Highway 7 as noted in Attachment ‘A’ and will file the Environmental Study Report (ESR) for public review Fall 2005. The preferred design as presented in the ESR will realign the road to meander gently from it in the currently straight alignment and widen the road from 2 to 4 lanes. The works are proposed to be completed in two stages. Stage 1 includes realigning the road to its new alignment and constructing the base of the new road to its ultimate four lane cross section, while maintaining only two lanes of paved roadway for traffic. Stage 2 will consist of constructing the additional 2 traffic lanes and replacement/modification to the Hwy 407 bridge structure and interchange ramps.

A comprehensive public consultation process involving input from the public, adjacent landowners, provincial agencies and Town staff has been followed in developing the preferred design. The Region and their consultant presented to the Town’s Transportation Committee on April 18, 2005 the study’s findings and recommendations.

PURPOSE:

This report seeks the endorsement of Council regarding the preferred design of the York/Durham Line from Steeeles Avenue to Highway 7 in Markham. The Study was conducted in accordance with the requirements of the Class Environmental Assessment for Municipal Projects (Class EA) and recommends the realignment and widening of York/Durham Line from 2 to 4 lanes in two stages.

BACKGROUND:

York/Durham Line (Y.R. 30) from Steeles Avenue to Highway 7 is part of the general north-south and east-west road grid that provides service to traffic from Markham, Pickering and Toronto areas and aids in the distribution of traffic in the area. The York Region Official Plan designates the lands west of York/Durham Line as an Agricultural Policy Area for agricultural operations. The plan confirms that there will be no proposed development on these lands that will generate high volume traffic. The Durham Region Official Plan designates the lands east of York/Durham Line as Permanent Agricultural Reserve and the plan confirms no proposed development between Taunton Road and Highway 7 west of Duffins Creek.

There is significant growth predicted for both York Region and Durham Region and the northern areas of Toronto. Presently there are high capacity roadways serving the east-west directions (Hwy 7, 407 ETR) but only three continuous lower capacity roadways serving the north-south direction in the general area (9^th Line, Reesor Road and York/Durham Line). Population forecasts suggest that the York/Durham Line will be increasingly used as a key north-south connection from northern and southern communities.

To improve the capacity, safety and efficiency of the north-south road network and to satisfy future demand in the area the Region of York is proposing to widen the existing York-Durham Line from 2 to 4 lanes from Steeles Avenue to Highway 7 and improve the intersections with adjacent local roads.

OPTIONS/DISCUSSION:

Alternatives Evaluated

Five alternatives were developed and evaluated against the do nothing base case. These are:

Alternative 1 – Improvements to York/Durham Line Only

Alternative 2 – Improvements to 11^th Concession and York/Durham Line

Alternative 3 – Improvements to Whitevale Road Connection and York/Durham Line

Alternative 4 – Limit/Manage Growth in the Surrounding Area

Alternative 5 – Increase Transit Service and Encourage Alternative Modes

Based on an evaluation of key factors (safety, socio-economics, property, natural environment, traffic capacity, engineering, and capital cost) it was determined that Alternative 1 - Improving the York/Durham Line only is the most suitable alternative as it most successfully addresses the problem of improving north-south capacity and is physically and operationally feasible.

Alternative Design Concepts Evaluated

Having selected Alternative 1 as the preferred solution, a second stage analysis of design concepts for the York/Durham Line was carried out. These comprised options 1, 2, 3 and 4 as described below:

Option 1 – Widen Equally about the Existing Centreline

Option 2 – Minimize Local Impacts

Option 3 – Widen to the East

Option 4 – Meandering Alignment

Based on an evaluation of key indicators (Safety, Socio-Economics, Built Heritage, Natural Environment, Engineering and Capital Cost) it was determined that Option 4 – Meandering Alignment was recommended as the preferred design for the improvements to York/Durham Line from Steeles Avenue to Highway 7.

Public Consultation

An Enhanced Public Consultation Process was undertaken for the York/Durham Line EA to ensure that all interested parties/stakeholders were involved and had ample opportunity to express their opinions at each stage of the study. Stakeholders in the process included the public, local municipal, provincial and federal agencies, school boards, fire and transit authorities, local ratepayers groups and utility companies.

More than one point of contact was achieved by running workshops with the public and municipalities ahead of the Public Meetings. Workshops were held in an open forum setting while Public Meetings were structured to provide a formal presentation followed by a Q&A session.

The first Workshop (#1) was held March 30, 2004 and the first Public Meeting was held April 7, 2004. The subsequent Workshop #2 and Public Meeting #2 were held on June 15, 2004. The final Workshop #3 and Public Meeting #3 were held November 27, 2004.

Preferred Design

The preferred design for the improvements to York/Durham Line will realign the centerline of the road to meander gently from east to west of the existing centerline to minimize local property impacts and treelines along the road. The roadway will be widened from 2 lanes to 4 lanes but maintain a rural cross section. Intersection improvements are proposed at Steeles Avenue/Taunton Road, 14^th Avenue, Whitevale Road and at Highway 7. The project will be phased in two stages.

Stage 1 (Attachment ‘B’)

Stage 1 will consist of:

1. Realigning the York/Durham Line to its new alignment;
2. Build the base of the roadway to its ultimate four lane width;
3. Pave only two lanes of traffic and providing an extra wide gravel shoulder for farm equipment;
4. Provide designated left turn and right turn lanes at the intersection of Highway 7 and York/Durham Line and the intersection of Whitevale Road and York/Durham Line;
5. Provide a designated left turn lane on York/Durham Line at 14^th Avenue;
6. Provide two south bound through lanes, designated left and right turn lanes at the intersection of Steeles Avenue/Taunton Road and York/Durham Line;
7. Implement the landscaping plan for the Right-of-Way.

Stage 2 (Attachment ‘C’)

Stage 2 will consist of:

1. Paving an additional lane in each direction increasing the number of lanes from 2 to 4;
2. Urbanize the intersection of Steeles Avenue/Taunton Road and York/Durham Line;
3. Urbanize the west side of the intersection of 14^th Avenue and York/Durham Line;
4. Urbanize the east side of the intersection of Whitevale Road and York/Durham Line;
5. Construct the bridge widening, twinning or new bridge at the 407 ETR interchange;
6. Urbanize the intersection of Highway 7 and York/Durham Line.

Markham had previously requested that the Region defer Stage 1 from 2007 to 2010, which has been confirmed by the Region in their letter of March 11, 2005. The timing of the Stage 2 has been identified as after 2011.

Local Implications and Mitigation

There was some concern expressed by the public during the Workshops and Public Meetings regarding the impact on trees that during Stage 2, the widening to a four lane road will have. There was also concern expressed regarding the upcoming 14^th Avenue Class Environmental Assessment to commence in 2005 by the Region of York from 9^th Line to York/Durham Line and the alignment of 14^th Avenue at York/Durham Line, and how the results of that study will impact on the residents at 14^th Avenue and York/Durham Line. The following mitigating measures are outlined in the Environmental Study Report to address these concerns:

1. Modifications to the intersection of 14^th Avenue and York/Durham Line will avoid harming or the removal of any vegetation beyond the area required to meet safety concerns;
2. A Landscape Plan will be created to address restoration of lost vegetation, including details on species and locating planting;
3. Further discussion will take place, if necessary, with local residents regarding site specific details at their properties including the protection of specimen trees;

4. Prior to construction and the potential removal of any treelines or elements of hedgerows in the cultural heritage landscape a photographic documentation and mapping report should be completed and a photographic key plan be assembled. The views and vistas of the roadway and the sidelines should be prepared. The report should be filed with the Markham Mueseum;
5. The 14^th Avenue Widening Environmental Assessment study will determine the location of the crossing point of the York/Durham Line and 14^th Avenue and resolve the question regarding the impact on the Butternut and Black Walnut trees in this location;

Bike Path

Although the Town has no plans for a Bike Path on York/Durham Line it was suggested by Council that a Bike Path on this road will be beneficial. The proposed cross section permits a bike lane within the 1.2m paved shoulder. The Cycling and Pedestrian Committee is currently underway and staff suggest they consider a bike lane as part of the Bike master Plan update.

Financial Implications

There are no financial implications to the Town as a result of the York/Durham Line Class Environmental Assessment or the preferred design.

ATTACHMENTS:

Attachment A, Study Area

Attachment B, Phase 1 Construction

Attachment C, Phase 2 Construction

Alan Brown, C.E.T. Director of Engineering

Jim Baird, M.C.I.P., R.P.P. Commissioner of Development Services

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