Heritage Road Improvements from Steeles Avenue to Rivermont Road

The Corporation of the City of Brampton Heritage Road Improvements from Steeles Avenue to Rivermont Road Class Environmental Assessment Study (Schedule C) September 19, 2013

The Corporation of the City of Brampton Heritage Road Improvements from Steeles Avenue to Rivermont Road Class Environmental Assessment Study (Schedule C) Public Information Centre No. 1 September 19, 2013 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm

Welcome We are here to: + Introduce the Class Environmental Assessment (Class EA) study for improvements to Heritage Road from Steeles Avenue to Rivermont Road (formerly known as Riverview Heights Road) + Receive your input on problems and opportunities, alternative solutions, environmental impacts, and evaluation of alternatives + Keep you informed of the study process and next steps You are invited to: + Review the presentation boards + Ask questions and discuss your comments with the project team Sign in to receive future updates on the study 3

Study Area The Heritage Road Class EA Study corridor extends approximately 3.5 km from Steeles Avenue to Rivermont Road + Existing 20 m right-of-way (varies) + 2-lane rural cross-section + 60 km/h posted speed limit 4

Study Process Class EA Process: + The Heritage Road Class EA Study is following the Municipal Engineers Association Municipal Class EA process (October 2000, as amended in 2007 and 2011) + This Study has been initiated as a Schedule C project, and will complete Phases 1 though 4 of the Municipal Class EA process + At present, the Study is in Phase 2 Phase 1 Identify the Problem or Opportunity Phase 2 Identify and Evaluate Alternative Solutions Phase 3 Develop and Evaluate Alternative Design Concepts Phase 4 Prepare Environmental Study Report Phase 5 PIC No. 1 PIC No. 2 30-day Public Review Implement the Preferred Solution 5

Study Background City of Brampton Official Plan (2006): + Classified as minor arterial from the south City limit to approximately 1.0 km north of Steeles Avenue + Classified as collector from approximately 1.0 km north of Steeles Avenue to the Credit River + 26 m to 30 m right-of-way Collector Minor Arterial 6

Study Background City of Brampton Official Plan (2006) continued: + The population of Brampton has grown from approximately 430,000 people in 2006 to 510,000 in 2011, and is expected to reach 727,000 by 2031 Forecasts 2011 2021 2031 Population 510,000 635,000 727,000 Household Units 143,000 184,000 214,500 Employment 182,000 280,000 314,000 Growth Plan Official Plan Amendment, Office Consolidation, Updated May 2013 + Land use and transportation policies specific to growth within the study area are outlined in the Bram West Secondary Plan (2010) 7

Bram West Secondary Plan (2010): + General land use classification within the study area includes residential and industrial + Secondary Plan Area 40(a) is located on the west side, generally bounded by Winston Churchill Boulevard, Steeles Avenue West, the Credit River and Heritage Road Study Background + Secondary Plan Area 40(d) is located on the east side, generally bounded by Mississauga Road, Steeles Avenue, the Credit River and Heritage Road (City of Brampton, 2010) 8

Study Background Riverview Heights Block Plan 40-3 (2011): + Approved development block plan for the east side of Heritage Road from Steeles Avenue to the Credit River 40(d) (Riverview Heights Block Plan, 2011) 9

Background Transportation and Transit Master Plan (2009): + The City of Brampton Transportation and Transit Master Plan recommends the widening of Heritage Road to four through lanes from Steeles Avenue to north of the future Rivermont Road by 2021 (Transportation and Transit Master Plan, 2009) 10

Background City of Brampton Pathways Master Plan (2002) / Pathway Routing Plan (2006): + Proposed 3 m wide multi-use trail (Class 1 pathway) on Heritage Road EMBLETON ROAD FUTURE FINANCIAL DRIVE FUTURE RIVERMONT ROAD STEELES AVENUE (Pathway Routing Plan, 2006) 11

Bram West Parkway and Financial Drive Class EA (ongoing): + The City is currently conducting a Class EA for Bram West Parkway from Heritage Road to Financial Drive extension and Financial Drive from Heritage Road to Winston Churchill Boulevard Study Background Steeles Avenue Class EA (ongoing): + The Region of Peel is currently conducting an EA study for improvements to Steeles Avenue from Chinguacousy Road to Winston Churchill Boulevard Works and Transportation Satellite Yard Class EA (2012): + The City recently completed an EA study for the proposed works and transportation satellite yard on the east side of Heritage Road, north of Steeles Avenue Proposed Works and Transportation Satellite Yard 12

Safety Review + Collision Analysis did not reveal any collision patterns that require any treatment + Field investigation did not reveal issues with sight distance Potential Safety Improvements: + Lane/shoulder widths + Clear zone from edge of pavement to nearest fixed object 13

Natural Environment Natural Heritage Features: + Wetlands and wooded areas largely associated with riparian corridors of watercourse crossings + Wetland units of the Levi Creek Provincially Significant Wetland (PSW) Complex + Levi Creek PSW has wetland diversity, species richness, and a number of seepage-fed wetlands; and provides amphibian breeding and waterfowl staging habitat 14

Natural Environment Continued + Valleyland associated with the Credit River is located north of the study area + Three crossings of the main branch of Levi Creek and one crossing of Heritage Creek, as well as crossings of smaller drainage features with ephemeral flow + Levi Creek and its tributaries (including Heritage Creek) are regulated by the Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) as recovery habitat for Redside Dace (Clinostomus elongatus) + Records of Species at Risk are documented for the larger project area; and, further screening may be required to determine presence/absence in the study area 15

Existing Land Uses: + Agricultural + Rural Residential + Commercial Cultural Heritage: Socio-economic and Cultural Environment + Two properties (the Octagonal House and the Page Cemetery) designated under Part IV of the Ontario Heritage Act + Two properties (James McClure Farm and Black Farm) listed on the City of Brampton s Heritage Inventory Register Features of Archaeological Potential: + Previously identified archaeological sites + There is a potential for archaeological sites associated with previously undisturbed areas along Heritage Road. Further study will be required. 16

Needs Assessment Screenline Analysis: 2011 (PM Peak Hour) 2021 (PM Peak Hour) 2031 (PM Peak Hour) 1 1 2 2 1 2 2 3 1 2 3 Screenline 1 1 1 2 2 1 2 3 3 1 2 3 Screenline 2 1 1 2 3 1 2 3 3 1 2 3 Screenline 3 Legend X v/c < 0.85 Traffic Conditions Number of lanes per direction Under capacity 0.85 v/c < 1.0 Approaching or at capacity v/c 1.0 Over capacity v/c volume to capacity ratio based on EMME results (Northbound PM Peak hour) By 2021, improved traffic conditions are expected at screenlines south of Embleton Road due to the added capacity at Winston Churchill Blvd., Mississauga Road and the addition of Bram West Parkway and Rivermont Rd. By the 2031 horizon year, demand generated by the proposed development will create traffic conditions approaching or at capacity at all screenline locations. 17

Needs Assessment Existing and Future Conditions - Link Analysis: Existing (PM Peak Hour) 2021 (PM Peak Hour) 2031 (PM Peak Hour) Existing traffic volumes at PM Peak hour are exceeding the available capacity at Heritage Road north of Steeles Avenue Legend v/c < 0.85 Traffic Conditions Under capacity 0.85 v/c < 1.0 Approaching or at capacity v/c 1.0 Over capacity Results of the link analysis indicate that demand will significantly exceed the available capacity by the 2021 horizon year between Financial Drive and Rivermont Road. South of Financial Drive, a decrease in traffic volumes are expected due to planned Bram West Parkway and Financial Drive. By the 2031 horizon year, northbound traffic volumes will exceed the available capacity in all sections of Heritage Road between Rivermont Road and Steeles Avenue. 18

Needs Assessment Existing and Future Conditions - Heritage Road and Embleton Road Intersection: Existing (PM Peak Hour) 2021 (PM Peak Hour) 2031 (PM Peak Hour) A Roundabout Installation Pre- Screening will be conducted during the next Phase of the study. The prescreening will include Space Requirements and Traffic Safety and Operational Considerations to determine if a Roundabout can be considered as a feasible alternative. Under existing conditions, the traffic moving northbound along Heritage Road already exceeds the available capacity at the intersection with Embleton Road. All other movements operate under adequate traffic conditions. For both horizon years of 2021 and 2031, with no improvements at the intersection (with the exception of signal timing modifications to provide additional green time to the northbound movement), traffic conditions for the eastbound and southbound traffic will be over capacity with significant delay. The intersection of Heritage Road and Steeles Avenue is being analyzed by the Region of Peel as part of the Class EA for Steeles Avenue from Winston Churchill Boulevard to Chinguacousy Road. Legend v/c < 0.85 Traffic Conditions Under capacity 0.85 v/c < 1.0 Approaching or at capacity v/c 1.0 v/c volume to capacity ratio Over capacity 19

Problem and/or Opportunity Statement The City of Brampton is experiencing high population and employment growth that will continue over the next few decades. Roadway capacity and intersection operations will deteriorate, if not improved. As presently configured, the north-south roadway network in the immediate and surrounding area of Heritage Road will not be able to accommodate the travel demand growth anticipated in the next few decades. If left untreated, an increase in traffic congestion will occur resulting in longer travel delays and decreasing level of service that will affect the level of safety, emergency vehicle response time, convenience and vehicular emissions. 20

Alternative Solutions Alternative Solution Do Nothing Description No improvements to the existing corridor and intersections Transit Treatments Improvements at specific locations to improve the effectiveness of transit service Travel Demand Management (TDM) Implementation of TDM strategies for the study corridor such as carpooling, shuttle buses, flexible work hours, and other facilities Development Restrictions Engineering measures, public policy and zoning restrictions to reduce and/or divert traffic generated by the proposed development surrounding the study area Improve Other Parallel Roads Widen other north-south roads in the vicinity of Heritage Road Intersection Improvements Auxiliary lanes, property access relocation, signalization, and/or roundabouts at intersections Road Widening Widening Heritage Road from 2 to 4 through lanes 21

Evaluation Criteria Technical Criteria (Engineering): + Conformance to planning objectives (Growth Plan, Official Plan, Secondary Plan) + Increase network capacity and improve level of service + Improve overall traffic safety + Promotes other transportation modes (pedestrian, cycling, transit) + Reduces utility impacts + Eliminates traffic infiltration + Impacts with respect to stormwater management + Impacts with respect to natural hazards and hydraulics/hydrology (e.g., floodplain management/floodlines, meander belt, slopes/valleys) Technical Criteria (Financial): + Capital costs Environmental Criteria (Natural): + Impact on vegetation + Impact on avian and wildlife environments + Impact on Species at Risk + Impact on wetlands, watercourses, and aquatic environments + Impact on provincially significant wetlands Environmental Criteria (Socio-economic / Cultural): + Improve residential / business accesses + Reduces property requirements + Supports emergency services (police, fire and ambulance) + Impact on noise levels + Improve aesthetics / streetscape + Impact on air quality + Archaeological potential + Impact on built heritage and cultural landscapes 22

Evaluation of Alternative Solutions Technical Criteria Do Nothing Transit Treatments Travel Demand Management Development Restrictions Improve Other Parallel Roads Intersection Improvements Road Widening (4 Lanes) Engineering Planning Objectives Does not support City s OP Vision In compliance with City s OP Vision, TTMP and PMP In compliance with City s OP Vision, TTMP and PMP Does not support City s OP Vision and TTMP In compliance with City s OP Vision, TTMP and PMP In compliance with City s OP Vision, TTMP and PMP In compliance with City s OP, Vision, TTMP and PMP Network Capacity and Level of Service Adverse impact due to increase in traffic Partially improves network capacity and level of service Partially improves network capacity and level of service Does not increase traffic capacity Partially improves network capacity and level of service Improves traffic capacity only at intersections Increases traffic capacity Overall Safety No opportunity for safety improvements No opportunity for safety improvements No opportunity for safety improvements No opportunity for safety improvements No opportunity for safety improvements at Heritage Road Minor safety improvements near intersections Potential for safety improvements Other Transportation Modes (e.g., pedestrian, cycling, transit) Does not provide opportunity to improve other modes of travel Provides some opportunities for other mode of travel Provides some opportunities for other mode of travel Does not provide opportunity to improve other modes of travel Provides some opportunities to improve other modes of travel Provides some opportunities to improve other modes of travel Provides opportunities to improve other modes of travel Utility Conflicts No impacts There could be some conflicts at transit locations No impacts No impacts May require utilities relocation on other roads (buried or overhead) Requires utilities relocation at existing intersections May require utilities relocation throughout the corridor (buried or overhead) Traffic Infiltration Potential for traffic Infiltration to neighbourhoods Minor reduction in traffic infiltration Minor reduction in traffic infiltration No impacts Reduces potential Infiltration Reduces potential Infiltration Significantly reduces traffic infiltration Stormwater Management No impacts No impacts No impacts No impacts No impacts at Heritage Road; Possible impacts on other roads Minor increase in runoff rates and volumes. May provide opportunities for improving drainage system near the intersections Increased runoff from increased impervious area. May provide opportunities for improving drainage system throughout the road section Natural Hazards Hydraulics/Hydrology (e.g. floodplain management/ floodlines, meander belt, slopes/ valleys) No impacts No impacts No impacts No impacts No impacts at Heritage Road; Possible impacts on other roads Potential impacts at intersections Potential impacts throughout the corridor, particularly at watercourse crossings Least Positive Most Positive OP Official Plan TTMP Transportation and Transit Master Plan PMP Pathways Master Plan 23

Evaluation of Alternative Solutions Environmental Criteria Do Nothing Transit Treatments Travel Demand Management Development Restrictions Improve Other Parallel Roads Intersection Improvements Road Widening (4 Lanes) Natural Environment Vegetation * No impacts to vegetation No impacts to vegetation No impacts to vegetation No impacts to vegetation No impacts to vegetation at Heritage Road; Possible impacts to vegetation on other roads May require removal of roadside trees near the intersection Possible encroachment onto wooded areas associated with water crossings May require removal of roadside trees Avian and Wildlife * No impacts to wildlife No impacts to wildlife No impacts to wildlife No impacts to wildlife No impacts to avian species and wildlife at Heritage Road; Possible impacts to avian species and wildlife on other roads May disturb opportunistic species associated with roadside vegetation May disturb species, amphibian breeding, and waterfowl staging habitat within affected wetlands May affect wildlife crossing Heritage Road Species at Risk No impacts No impacts No impacts No impacts No impacts to species at risk at Heritage Road; Possible impacts to species at risk on other roads May disturb species at risk habitat, where present, near intersections May disturb watercourse crossings and recovery habitat for Redside Dace (a species that is regulated as Endangered under the Endangered Species Act, 2007) Wetlands, Watercourses and Aquatic Environments No impacts No impacts No impacts No impacts No impacts to wetlands, watercourses and aquatic environments at Heritage Road; Possible impacts on other roads May have very minor negative impacts to potentially regulated wetland or watercourses at the southern location, where a tributary of Mullet Creek runs parallel to Heritage Road and a small wetland unit is identified on the west side of the road May provide opportunities for improving watercourse flow Possible encroachment into wetlands associated with watercourse crossings Provincially Significant Wetlands No impacts No impacts No impacts No impacts No impacts to provincially significant wetlands at Heritage Road; Possible impacts on other roads May have minor negative impacts on provincially significant wetlands, where present, near intersections Possible encroachment into provincially significant wetlands associated with watercourse crossings * Terrestrial Habitat is represented by avian, wildlife, and vegetation criteria Least Positive Most Positive 24

Evaluation of Alternative Solutions Environmental Criteria Do Nothing Transit Treatments Travel Demand Management Development Restrictions Improve Other Parallel Roads Intersection Improvements Road Widening (4 Lanes) Socio-Economic Residential / Business Access No opportunity to improve access No impacts No impacts No impacts No opportunity to improve access May impact access closer to intersections Access to existing properties can be improved Property Requirements No impacts No impacts No impacts No impacts May require property acquisition on other roads May require property acquisition at existing intersections May require property acquisition throughout the corridor Emergency Response Adverse impact due to increase in traffic congestion Potential for minor improvements Potential for minor improvements No impacts Improvements due to additional capacity at Heritage Road Minor improvements near intersections Improvements due to additional capacity Noise Impacts Noise level will increase due to increase in traffic congestion Potential for minor improvements due to marginal reduction in car traffic Potential for minor improvements due to marginal reduction in car traffic No impacts Potential for minor improvements due to marginal reduction in car traffic Noise level will decrease due to improved intersection operations Does provide opportunity for noise mitigation Aesthetics/Streetscape No opportunities for improving landscape No opportunities for improving landscape No opportunities for improving landscape No opportunities for improving landscape No opportunities for improving landscape at Heritage Road Minor improvements near intersections Improvements due to new construction Air Quality Financial May reduce air quality due to congestion and delay May have minor positive impact May have minor positive impact No impact May have minor positive impact May improve air quality due to less congestion and delay May improve air quality due to reduced congestion and delay Capital Costs No capital cost Low to medium capital cost Low to medium capital cost No impact High capital cost Low to medium capital cost High capital cost Least Positive Most Positive 25

Stakeholder Comments The study commencement notice was issued in January, and a Stakeholders Group meeting was held in June, 2013. Some of the comments and suggestions raised in response to the notice and meeting were: Comment Protect landowners interest and ensure good planning principles Around the Embleton Road intersection, road widening to occur only on the east side, where there are no dwellings Effects on private property/businesses, property values and quality of life Major cycling route; consider bicycle lanes or paved shoulders on both sides Consider roundabout at Heritage Road/Embleton Road intersection Loss of land/access at church and cemetery Water and sewage management Significant increase in regional traffic going through the neighbourhood with road widening Maintain local heritage and rural character of the area Response Comments noted Comment noted and will be considered while developing alternative designs in the next phase of the project. As part of the alternative designs, efforts will be made to avoid/minimize impact to adjacent properties. Appropriate mitigation measures will be taken where impact is unavoidable. Comment noted and will be considered while developing alternative designs in the next phase of the project. Comment noted and will be considered while developing alternative designs in the next phase of the project All existing accesses will be maintained. Any impacts will be mitigated. Water and sewage management falls under the jurisdiction of the Region of Peel and will be coordinated with the Region. Traffic analysis shows that 80% of traffic using Heritage Road will be either originated from or destined to Brampton in 2031. Only 20% will be through traffic. Comment noted. 27

Preliminary Preferred Solutions Based on the evaluation of alternative solutions and consultation with agencies and stakeholders, the preliminary preferred solution is a combination of the following alternatives: Preliminary Preferred Solutions Description Transit Treatments Improvements at specific locations to improve the effectiveness of transit service Travel Demand Management Carpool areas, shuttle buses, flexible work hours, and other facilities to support Bus Rapid Transit at Steeles Avenue Intersection Improvements Auxiliary lanes, property access relocation, signalization, and/or roundabouts at intersections Road Widening Widening Heritage Road from 2 to 4 through lanes 28

Next Steps Following this PIC, we will: + Review your comments + Select the preferred solution based on study findings and your comments + Develop and evaluate alternative design concepts, impact assessments and mitigating measures for the preferred solution and determine the preliminary preferred design + Arrange Public Information Centre No. 2 to present the alternative design concepts, including the preliminary preferred design, and obtain public comments + Finalize preliminary preferred design + Prepare an Environmental Study Report for Public Review 29

Share Your Comments Submit your comments by October 3, 2013: Bishnu Parajuli, M.A.Sc., P.Eng. Project Engineer City of Brampton 8850 McLaughlin Road, Unit 2 Brampton, Ontario L6Y 5T1 Phone: 905-874-2500 Fax: 905-874-2599 TTY: 905-874-2130 Email: bishnu.parajuli@brampton.ca Brian Malone, P.Eng. Consultant Project Manager CIMA Canada Inc. 3027 Harvester Road, Suite 400 Burlington, Ontario L7N 3G7 Phone: 289-288-0287 ext. 6802 Fax: 289-288-0285 Email: brian.malone@cima.ca Thank you! 30