Burloak Drive Grade Separation Transit Project Assessment Process Public Meeting #1 March 30, 2017
GO Lakeshore West Service Plan Weekday Rush Hour 15-minute, two-way service between Aldershot* and Union Station 15-minute service from Hamilton GO Centre to Union Station in the morning and from Union Station to Hamilton GO Centre in the afternoon/evening** 30-minute service from Hamilton West Harbour GO (James Street North) to Union Station in the morning and from Union Station to West Harbour in the afternoon/evening** 60-minute service from Union Station to Hamilton GO Centre in the morning and from Hamilton GO Centre to Union Station in the afternoon** Midday, Evening and Weekend 15-minute, two-way service between Aldershot* and Union Station 60-minute, two-way service between Hamilton GO Centre and Union Station** Average times between trains are shown. Actual times may be shorter or longer depending on location and departure time. *Service levels west of Burlington GO Station, including service levels at Aldershot, are dependent on infrastructure and service agreements with CN, which owns that portion of the Lakeshore West rail corridor. Final plans may vary as the 10-year program evolves. **Express service will be offered between Oakville and Union Station.
More Service Requires
In Your Community This Means To expand GO service, infrastructure improvements are required, with some Lakeshore West Corridor projects currently underway. Burloak Drive Grade Separation - underway Burlington GO Station Improvements - underway Aldershot GO Station Parking Expansion - underway Kerr Street Grade Separation - upcoming
Burloak Drive Road-Rail Crossing Metrolinx reviewed all 185 road-rail crossings across the GO network. With increase in GO service, there is a need to ensure continued safety and traffic flow. Level Crossings Strategy identified 10 priority road-rail crossings that will be grade separated as part of the Regional Express Rail program. The Burloak Drive grade separation was identified as a priority in the network study and was previously committed to by provincial and federal governments. The Town of Oakville, in conjunction with the City of Burlington, completed a Class environmental assessment in 1994 to grade separate Burloak Drive.
Burloak Drive Underpass Metrolinx is beginning an environmental assessment following the Transit Project Assessment Process (TPAP), as prescribed in O.Reg. 231/08 under the Environmental Assessment Act. A feasibility study was done in 2017 to review options for grade separating the Burloak Drive road-rail crossing. Both the City of Burlington and Town of Oakville staff reviewed and commented on the study. Based on the findings of the feasibility study, and input from municipal partners, a 6-lane underpass for the Burloak Drive road-rail crossing is being proposed.
Burloak Drive Underpass What s Involved Construction of a 6-lane underpass (road-under-rail) at the existing atgrade crossing including retaining walls, provisions to electrify the GO service, and bike lanes/multi-use trail. Temporary detour of Burloak Drive to the east to build the underpass below the rail corridor. Temporary road closures at the rail crossing for the road detour. Temporary diversion of tracks to the south during construction. Relocation of utilities (e.g. sewer, hydro, and communications) to build the underpass. Potential Property Impacts: North-south multi-use trail to be moved into the Burloak Drive Underpass roadway. Change of proposed access to Burloak Drive from southwest property.
Burloak Drive Grade Separation Study Area
Temporary Detours Road Detour Detour of Burloak Drive to the east of the existing road during construction. North-south multi-use trail is being relocated to the east during construction. Track Detour Three tracks to be shifted to the south during construction. Probable removal and relocation of existing Burloak Interlocking Plant (rail signals and switches).
Burloak Drive Underpass Facing Northeast Burloak Drive Underpass Facing North Preliminary Artist s Rendering (subject to change during Detailed Design)
Burloak Drive Underpass Facing North Burloak Drive Underpass Facing South Preliminary Artist s Rendering (subject to change during Detailed Design)
Transit Project Assessment Process PRE-TPAP PLANNING AND CONSULTATION TRANSIT PROJECT ASSESSMENT PROCESS (TPAP) COMPLETE STUDIES, PRELIMINARY DESIGN AND CONSULT WITH STAKEHOLDERS NOTICE OF COMMENCEMENT CONSULT STAKEHOLDERS AND DOCUMENT FINDINGS IN ENVIRONMENTAL PROJECT REPORT (EPR) NOTICE OF COMPLETION STAKEHOLDER REVIEW OF EPR MINISTER REVIEW OF EPR AND NOTICE STATEMENT OF COMPLETION TIMELINE VARIES UP TO 120 DAYS 30 DAYS UP TO 35 DAYS
What We Are Assessing Natural Environment Terrestrial habitat and species Aquatic habitat and species Species of conservation concern Sensitive areas and features Socio-Economic Environment Land use Property Air quality Noise and vibration Traffic and transportation Utilities Cultural Environment Archaeological resources Built heritage resources Cultural heritage landscapes
Existing Conditions Natural Environment Sources of data: Surveys and information collected from Conservation Authorities and Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry. Field surveys of terrestrial and aquatic habitat/wildlife. Little Brown Bat We have identified: Plant species commonly found in urban settings. Warm water fish species that are native to Ontario and amphibian breeding habitat in Sheldon Creek East. Records of Species at Risk, none of which have been identified within the Study Area. No Provincially Significant Wetlands, Areas of Natural and Scientific Interest or Environmentally Significant Areas.
Existing Conditions Socio-Economic Sources of data: Official Plan designations from municipal partners. Future planned development near the Study Area. Information from other planning documents (e.g., Transportation Master Plans, Cycling Plans, etc.). We have identified: 11 commercial / industrial / employment areas. 1 medium density residential area southwest of the crossing. Recreation and active transportation areas including Sherwood Forest Park, multi-use paths and bike lanes. Bus service along northbound Burloak Drive with a stop at the southeast corners of both the Superior Court and Wyecroft Road intersections. Existing and planned bike routes on Wyecroft Road and Burloak Drive. Sherwood Park Several noise-sensitive receptors (e.g., houses) but no critical receptors (e.g. schools, daycares, long-term care).
Existing Conditions Cultural Environment/ Built Heritage Sources of data: Metrolinx Heritage Protocol. Assessments of buildings undertaken by heritage experts. We have identified: No Conditional Heritage Properties, Potential Provincial Heritage Properties or Protected Properties within or adjacent to the Study Area. No further evaluation is required. RioCan Centre Burloak
Existing Conditions Cultural Environment/ Archaeology Sources of data: Stage 1 Archaeological Assessment (AA) including review of historical data and a property inspection. A Stage 2 AA will be done for certain areas in the spring, and will include more detailed investigation (test pitting and ploughing). We have identified: Areas of potential archeological value in relatively undisturbed areas within the Study Area. Areas where there is potential for this project to impact known or previously undocumented archaeological resources within the Study Area.
Public Engagement Stay in touch: Your feedback is important to informing this project. Share your comments by completing a feedback form and sign up for e-mail updates to stay up to date on the project. metrolinx.com/burloak burloak@metrolinx.com 416-202-4921 Recap of Public Meeting #1 A summary will be posted at metrolinx.com/burloak following the meeting. If you submit your feedback by April 27, it will be included in the published meeting recap.
Next Steps Completion of Environmental Impact Studies Ongoing Public Meeting #1 March 30, 2017 Prepare Draft Environmental Project Report (EPR) (To be confirmed) Late Summer/Early Fall 2017 TPAP Notice of Commencement / Public Meeting #2 (To be confirmed) Late Summer/Early Fall 2017 TPAP Completion (To be confirmed) Early 2018 Construction Completion (To be confirmed) 2022