Attachment #2 PPW133-07

Transcription

1 Attachment #2 PPW Pg. 1 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Environmental Assessment Study In January 2005, Regional staff retained to commence a Schedule C Environmental Assessment Study to identify the improvements required for the Tremaine Road and James Snow Parkway transportation corridors, in the Town of Milton, pursuant to the Municipal Class EA process, to the year This study is also intended to accommodate Provincial Class EA requirements since the Highway 401 interchange is a Provincial project. The Environmental Assessment study addresses these improvements while taking into consideration future needs, transit, pedestrians, and cyclists on these roadways. The Environmental Study Report The Environmental Study Report (ESR) documents the planning process followed in accordance with the procedures set out under the Municipal Class Environmental Assessment (MEA 2000) for Schedule C projects. In general the ESR documents the planning and decision making process, including public-consultation, which was followed to arrive at the preferred design. The ESR also sets out mitigating measures proposed to avoid or minimize environmental impacts. Specifically, this ESR documents: The background to the study; The need and justification for the study; A description of the problem; The studies and measures undertaken to resolve the problem; The planning, preliminary design and public consultation processes followed to arrive at the preferred design; The principal environmental impacts of the study; The mitigating measures to be employed to offset the anticipated impacts and next steps in terms of required detail design. Background Tremaine Road is a north-south major arterial within the Regional transportation network in the Town of Milton. This roadway is a boundary road between the City of Burlington and the Town of Oakville and as a boundary road between the Town of Milton and the Town of Halton Hills to the north. Tremaine Road also represents the general westerly boundary between the urban and rural areas within the Town of Milton and is adjacent to the Niagara Escarpment. Presently, Tremaine Road crosses over both Highway 401 and Highway 407, with no direct access to either facility. Tremaine Road also traverses an existing at-grade crossing of the CPR line, north of Steeles Avenue (Regional Road 8). Within the study limits of this Class Environmental Assessment, James Snow Parkway is a new east-west major arterial within the Regional transportation network in the Town of

2 Pg. 2 Milton. Presently, to the east of Regional Road 25, James Snow Parkway terminates west of the CN Rail line. Construction of James Snow Parkway from Steeles Avenue (Regional Road 8) to Boston Church Road (east of CN Rail line) is underway starting in 2007, with the grade separation at the CN Rail line scheduled for construction in James Snow Parkway from Regional Road 25 to approximately 50 m west of 16 Mile Creek tributary (including the culvert over the creek) is under construction starting in This Class Environmental Assessment includes transportation corridor improvements for the portion of James Snow Parkway from 50 m west of the 16 Mile Creek tributary to its connection with Tremaine Road. In addition, the Sherwood Survey Master Transportation/Transit Plan (MTTP) done as part of the Sherwood Survey Secondary Plan for this area identified the need for a new interchange with Highway 401 at Tremaine Road. This interchange and subsequent connection to Tremaine Road would provide significantly improved access from the Town of Milton to the Greater Toronto Area (GTA). This is an integral link within the Regional transportation network, connecting the central area of Halton Region to the rest of the GTA. The Sherwood Survey MTTP formed the basis for the need and justification for the road widenings and connection to Highway 401. In June 2004, Council approved the Halton Transportation Master Plan (HTMP) (PPW92-04), which developed a dynamic integrated transportation strategy that considered all modes of travel including transit, cycling, walking and automobiles, as well as other strategies within the Region of Halton. This study established the transportation network within the Region to the year The study followed the first two Phases of the Municipal Class Environmental Assessment (Municipal Class EA) process including need and justification, identification and evaluation of alternative planning solutions, and the selection of a preferred solution. Based on the results of the study, the need for capacity improvements (widening from 2 to 4 lanes) for this section of Tremaine Road and the extension of James Snow Parkway (4 lanes) was identified, and an Environmental Assessment for these two roadways was recommended for inclusion in the Region s Capital program. The widening of Tremaine Road from Derry Road (Regional Road 7) to Main Street is scheduled for 2010 and from Main Street to Steeles Avenue (Regional Road 8) in The widening of Tremaine Road from Steeles Avenue north to the Highway 401 interchange is presently beyond the 10-year Capital Budget; however, this stretch of Tremaine Road was identified for construction between 2016 and 2021, as part of the development charges process. The extension of James Snow Parkway is scheduled in As part of this Environmental Assessment, the construction timing of the Tremaine Road and James Snow Parkway transportation corridors has been reviewed and incorporated into the 2007 Capital Budget process. Planning Alternatives During Phase 2 of the roads component of this study, a range of planning alternatives was considered to address the need for transportation improvements. Alternatives considered included:

3 Pg. 3 Do Nothing Do not undertake any improvements or changes on Tremaine Road or extend James Snow Parkway within the Study Area (carried forward for comparison purposes only); Improve Other Roadways (i.e. Derry Road, Regional Road 25) to accommodate the projected future traffic demand for Tremaine Road or James Snow Parkway (identified in HTMP); Limit Future Development in the Area Do not allow any future development in the area, which would be against the intent of the Secondary Plan for this area established by the Town (not carried forward); Provide Public Transit Service within the Town of Milton connecting to the major activity centres of the Greater Toronto Area (GTA), Hamilton and Niagara Region to encourage a shift in modal choice from the automobile to public transit modes (carried forward HTMP); Use Travel Demand Management Measures aimed at shifting travel behaviour to reduce peak hour travel demands (i.e. carpooling, HOV lanes, flexible work hours) (carried forward HTMP); Implement Safety Improvements to the roadways and associated transportation facilities (carried forward); Implement Localized Intersection and/or Traffic Control Improvements, which includes the installation of traffic signal control and the optimization of traffic signal timing along the study corridor to increase efficiency of operation (carried forward); Widen Tremaine Road from two to four lanes including geometric improvements at intersections (carried forward); and Extension of James Snow Parkway as a four lane facility to connect with Tremaine Road (carried forward). The widening of Tremaine Road along its existing alignment is the preferred solution, south of Main Street and the realignment of Tremaine Road is the preferred solution north of Main Street in conjunction with a grade separation at the CPR line and a new interchange with Highway 401. These scenarios are in combination with improved transit, TDM, safety improvements, traffic operational improvements, and localized intersection improvements to provide a sustainable solution. The need for the extension of James Snow Parkway will support development within the Escarpment Business Community area and will ultimately provide connectivity between nortwest and southeast Milton. In addition to the widening and realignment of Tremaine Road to address future transportation deficiencies, the overall corridor will also include the protection for future auxiliary lanes, traffic optimization and traffic signal co-ordination measures and the incorporation of on-road cycling facilities as well as the future provision for sidewalks/multi-use trails within the boulevard where warranted.

4 Pg. 4 Capacity Currently, the Tremaine Road transportation corridor between Derry Road and Campbellville Road is operating at an acceptable level of service with limited roadway capacity deficiencies. However, due to future traffic growth from proposed development in the area including the Escarpment Business Community in the area north of the Highway 401 and west of Regional Road 25 (9,500 new employees at buildout) and 40,300 new residents and 5,600 new employees within the Sherwood Survey Secondary Plan area at full build out, the area roadways will exceed capacity and the intersections will be severely congested without transportation improvements. Traffic infiltration of neighbouring areas will also occur, causing the local streets and intersections to operate unsatisfactorily. Tremaine Road and James Snow Parkway were analysed with and without proposed road improvements (widening to four lanes / extension of four lanes plus turn lanes) for the horizon year of The 2021 traffic conditions without road improvements identified unacceptable levels of service and capacity operations. The traffic conditions with recommended road improvements mitigated the levels of service and volume to capacity ratios to acceptable levels. The addition of the new intersections and new roadways, improvements to existing intersections, a rail crossing grade separation and new interchange are all key components of the transportation network required in order for this area to accommodate the approved future growth for Sherwood Survey Secondary Plan area. Preferred Roadway Alternative In assessing the proposed future widening and realignment of Tremaine Road, alternatives were developed in several locations. After detailed evaluation of the alternatives generated for the proposed widening and realignment and in attempting to eliminate major impacts to properties and significant natural features within the study area, selection of the preferred roadway alternative was made in each area and presented to the public and stakeholder agencies. This resulted in receiving further input and refinement of the alignment for Tremaine Road. A preliminary design was completed for Tremaine Road on this basis. The specific location of the Highway 401 interchange was proposed by the Ministry of Transportation, Conservation Halton, Town of Milton and the Region during the earlier Sherwood Survey Secondary Plan process and was confirmed through the Environmental Assessment process. Modifications were carried out to refine geometric requirements and to address property impacts and natural environment impacts associated with the interchange. These were also presented and discussed with interested developers and stakeholder agencies. Preliminary design incorporated these refinements for the interchange. The alignment of the James Snow Parkway extension was pursued, building on the previously recommended alignment developed through the Sherwood Survey Secondary Plan and subsequent development planning for this area. Given the constraints of the area and the desire to contain the majority of the roadway on development lands, alignment modifications were made to result in the least impact to adjacent property

5 Pg. 5 owners who were not part of the development group in the area and to optimize development opportunities, while retaining suitable geometric design. In addition to the two primary Regional road improvements, this EA study also included improvement to 3rd Sideroad to improve road safety and operations between proposed Tremaine Road and the hamlet of Milton Heights. 3 rd Sideroad proposed improvements were originally considered part of this study as a result of the numerous concerns brought forward by the existing residents and supported by the Town of Milton. Public input was also sought and received on that component of the study. Following the completion and filing of the Environmental Assessment Report, the detailed design phase will commence. During this phase, some modifications may be implemented from the Environmental Assessment Study and its recommendations on design features. The detailed design phase has a public consultation process as well. Road Geometrics / Drainage Tremaine Road is currently an undivided two-lane roadway with a rural cross-section and a posted speed limit of 80 km/h south of Steeles Avenue and 60 km/h north of Steeles Avenue to 30 m south of the CPR crossing, where it transitions to 50 km/h through the Milton Heights neighbourhood. James Snow Parkway will have a posted speed limit of 60 km/h. Based on the forecasted traffic volumes and existing conditions, the technically preferred alternative for Tremaine Road is to widen the existing roadway to four lanes. The technically preferred alternative for James Snow Parkway is to extend the roadway westerly to the proposed Tremaine Road at four lanes. Auxiliary lanes will be added at some intersections and protection for future auxiliary lanes will be provided at other intersection locations. It is proposed that Tremaine Road be constructed with an urban cross-section adjacent to future development and across Sixteen Mile Creek, and a rural cross-section adjacent to the Niagara Escarpment and agricultural lands. The cross-section will consist of a continuous 2 m flush centre median and four (two in each direction) 3.65 m wide lanes. The urban cross-section will contain delineated 1.5 m cycling lanes, and a row of vegetation and sidewalks/multi-use trails in the boulevards on Tremaine Road. The rural cross-section will contain 2.5 m shoulders which will include 1.0 m paved cycling facilities and ditches. James Snow Parkway will be an urban cross-section with a continuous 2 m flush centre median and four (two in each direction) 3.65 m wide lanes with 1.5 m delineated cycling lanes and provision for a row of vegetation and sidewalks/multi-use trails in the boulevards. A storm sewer and grassed swale system will be constructed for storm water run-off within the Tremaine Road and James Snow Parkway rights-of-way, which may drain into proposed storm water management ponds of adjacent development where possible, or before entering Sixteen Mile Creek and its tributaries, as well as Indian Creek and its tributaries.

6 Pg. 6 Structures There are two existing bridges within the study limits. The first structure crosses Sixteen Mile Creek, approximately 0.10 km south of Kelso Road. The structure is 10.8 m wide with a 13.0 m single span concrete rigid frame bridge which was built in The bridge is in generally good condition with minor cracking according to the 2004 Road Needs Study. The second structure is the Tremaine Road bridge over Highway 401. The bridge is under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Transportation (MTO). The MTO undertook repairs to the deck soffit a few years ago due to trucks hitting the underside of the bridge which also involved lowering the surface of Highway 401. MTO has tentatively scheduled rehabilitation of the bridge in A new 50 m long structure will need to be constructed as a result of the realignment of Tremaine Road across 16 Mile Creek to minimize impacts on the Regional Flood Plain and to accommodate the meander belt of the creek. There will be a total of 18 culvert and storm water related structures along the new Tremaine Road corridor, extending from Derry Road to north of Highway 401. A grade separation passing under the CPR Line will also be constructed as part of the realignment of Tremaine Road. This structure will span approximately 57 m in length. The Tremaine Road and Highway 401 Interchange will also be constructed as part of this project. Through this Class EA, the Ministry is protecting for a future cross-section that will consist of 8 travel lanes and 2 High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lanes. The structure over Highway 401 will accommodate 4 travel lanes, delineated cycling lanes and sidewalks on Tremaine Road and will span a length of approximately 88 m. Access Requirements Presently, between Derry Road and the CPR line, there are a total of 32 residential and farm accesses. Existing accesses to the properties along both sides of Tremaine Road, through this section, will be maintained. Access to adjacent parcels that are presently in various stages of the development process, as the Sherwood Survey identifies the majority of property south of Steeles Avenue and east of Tremaine Road for future residential, will be restricted to accessing Tremaine Road at future signalized intersection locations. These locations will be approved as part of future draft plan of subdivision applications. It is anticipated that there will be two new intersection locations with Tremaine Road south of Main Street. Given the preferred design to re-align Tremaine Road north of Main Street, all accesses to the existing Tremaine Road, will be maintained, as this roadway will not be affected by the new Tremaine Road. Two access roads are being proposed as connections to the new Tremaine Road to service the residents along the existing Tremaine Road. Access Road A will connect to the realigned Tremaine Road south of Steeles Avenue and Access Road B will connect to the realigned Tremaine Road north of the CPR tracks.

7 Pg. 7 There is also potential for an additional intersection location north of Access Road B and south of 3 rd Sideroad, provided that Regional Access Management Guidelines are met. It should be noted that allocation has been made for portions of the land north of Derry Road, immediately west of the CN Rail line, for which there are active applications and site servicing permits have been issued. Although future access from these parcels will connect the development to Tremaine Road, the present phase will have an access intersection to Derry Road only. An alternative was developed for the extension of James Snow Parkway between Tremaine Road and west of Regional Road 25, which was derived from the work previously undertaken as part of the Sherwood Survey Secondary Plan process. This stretch of James Snow Parkway is almost completely located on lands slated for development as part of the Escarpment Business Community, except at its connection with Tremaine Road. The alignment of James Snow Parkway attempts to eliminate major impacts to properties and provides a realignment of Campbellville Road east of the connection to Tremaine Road. Roundabouts As part of the Class Environmental Assessment, the potential for the introduction of roundabouts was reviewed. The use of roundabouts at major intersection roadways i.e. James Snow Parkway at Tremaine Road, have been eliminated given the anticipated roadway volumes and potential property impacts. The development intersections along Tremaine Road will operate under stop control on the minor roadways, as the anticipated volumes are minor compared with the volumes on Tremaine Road and are therefore not a viable alternative. However, the intersection of the re-aligned Main Street and Tremaine Road is recommended for a roundabout given the anticipated volumes and turning moves on these two streets will be more balanced. This will allow for the development of a gateway into the Milton downtown. Right-of-Way Requirements In December of 2003, Regional Council through Report PPW approved Regional Official Plan Amendment No. 23 Functional Plan and Right-of-Way Plan of Arterial Roads. The right-of-way width for Tremaine Road and James Snow Parkway is designated as 35 m. The existing right-of-way for Tremaine Road within the study area varies from 20 m to 25 m. Given the re-alignment of Tremaine Road north of Main Street and extension of James Snow Parkway, there is no existing right-of-way through these new corridors and no property acquired to date. In order to accommodate the proposed roadways, turn lanes at intersections, boulevard treatments and grading requirements, the preferred alignment requires a right-of-way width that varies between 35 to 50 m. This is in accordance with the Regional Right-of-Way Dimension Guidelines contained in the Halton Transportation Master Plan. The property requirements, as identified through this Environmental Assessment, are proposed for the widening and realignment of Tremaine Road and James Snow Parkway, to accommodate the preferred cross-section, with the majority of the required rights-of-way being acquired through the development process.

8 Pg. 8 Utility Impacts Milton Hydro lines run along both sides of the existing Tremaine Road corridor, along with Bell Canada and Cogeco cable lines. These utility lines will have to be relocated to accommodate the widening. Special Study Area The special study area located southwest of the proposed Highway 401 interchange has been noted as part of this process as requiring detail design prior to finalizing the required buffer width and subsequent property impact, as the creek has been identified as a habitat for Redside Dace. As part of the Class EA process there was significant discussions relating to the requirements for the proposed realigned tributary of Sixteen Mile Creek (NW-2-G1) and the impacts of this re-location. At this stage of the process, given that detail design falls outside of the requirements of a Class EA, although it is desirable by the adjacent land owners to undertake this process as part of the Class EA undertaking, it has been agreed to by the agencies to review potential further reduction strategies for reducing the buffer width through subsequent processes outside of the scope of this EA. To date, as part of this EA study, significant property reductions have been achieved through minor design modifications of the interchange ramp, integration of the MTO minimum offset from MTO right-of-way to be incorporated into the creek buffer and identification of potential quality vs. quantity vegetation. Public Consultation Process Pursuant to the Municipal Class EA, public consultation plays a key and significant role in the successful completion of an Environmental Assessment project. Technical Agencies Committee and Stakeholder Advisory Group were established for this project. As a result of the input from the Technical Agencies Committee, the Stakeholders and the general public at the PIC, the following issues and concerns have been addressed as part of the study: Capacity within the corridor; Road Geometrics; Drainage; Structures; Access to Properties; Property impacts to adjacent property owners; Development and Planning; Pedestrian and Cycling Facilities; Traffic operations along Tremaine Road and James Snow Parkway corridors; Traffic operations on Third Line into Kelso Conservation Area (Town jurisdiction); Noise impacts; Utility impacts; and Timing of project.

9 Pg. 9 Construction Schedule The two to four-lane widening and realignment of the Tremaine Road and James Snow Parkway transportation corridors is scheduled for construction in several stages beginning in 2011 as identified in the 2007 Capital Budget. Following the filing and approval of the ESR, discussions will commence with the Ministry of Transportation in regards to the rehabilitation of the existing Tremaine Road structure tentatively scheduled for 2010, and the need for the early implementation of the Tremaine Road interchange, as well as general cost sharing between the MTO, Region and Town.