TOWN OF WHITBY REPORT RECOMMENDATION REPORT REPORT TO: Council REPORT NO: PL 95-09 DATE OF MEETING: October 13, 2009 PREPARED BY: Planning/Public Works Joint Report FILE NO(S): N/A LOCATION: N/A REPORT TITLE/SUBJECT: GO Transit - Oshawa East Track Extension and New Rail Maintenance Facility - Contract 1TC-2007-EN-054 1.0 RECOMMENDATION: 1. That the Town of Whitby support in principle extension of the GO Transit Rail Service from Whitby to Bowmanville, and construction of a Rail Equipment Facility in the Town of Whitby; 2. That the recommendations set out in Report PL 95-09 be considered as the Town of Whitby s input to the GO Transit Environmental Assessment Study; and, 3. That copies of Council s resolution together with a copy of Report PL 95-09 be forwarded to: GO Transit, Region of Durham, AECOM and the Ministry of Environment. 2.0 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: N/A 3.0 ORIGIN: The Province of Ontario in 2007 announced MoveOntario 2020, a program to fund 52 transit projects including extension of GO Transit s rail service from the City of Oshawa to Bowmanville. In April 2009, GO Transit completed two feasibility studies: one for the extension of GO Transit s rail service, and one to determine a preferred location for a heavy rail maintenance yard. This report has been prepared to provide Council with recommended comments to GO Transit s EA review. The recommendations are in italics.
Report to: Council Report No.: PL 95-09 Page 2 of 9 4.0 BACKGROUND: GO Transit completed its feasibility study for extension of its commuter rail service to Bowmanville earlier this year. The study addressed the feasibility of the service extension and identified the CP Rail corridor as the preferred alignment. The study also identified potential station and lay-over sites. GO Transit also completed its feasibility study for the development of a heavy rail maintenance yard east of Union Station and concluded that lands in Whitby adjacent to the CN Rail/GO Transit corridor east and west of Hopkins Street to be the preferred location. The formal initiation of the EA process was September 2009. This process was established to fast track major transit projects. By this process, GO Transit within 120 days of the Notice of Commencement will file and publish the Notice of Completion. A 30 day public review period will then be provided for public comment. Following this period the study will be filed for review and decision by the Minister of Environment. The review period for the Minister is 35 days. The Transit Project Assessment process does not require GO Transit to consider any alternatives to the project over those identified in the feasibility study. Consultations were had with municipal staff prior to the publication of the report outlining the preferred routing for the extension and the location of the maintenance yard. Historically, discussions on the alignment spoke to the possible movement north to the CP Rail right-of-way wholly in Oshawa. Review of the April 23, 2009 contract document indicates that the suggestion for what is now the preferred alignment originated at a meeting held on October 17, 2008 with GO Transit and Region of Durham staff. There was no consultation with Whitby respecting the extensions in that the Whitby alignment had not been contemplated. There was no consultation with Whitby until after the publication of the document when Whitby Staff were advised that there was now a Whitby alignment and that it was the preferred alignment. 5.0 DISCUSSION/OPTIONS: PART A - EXTENSION OF GO RAIL TRANSIT WHITBY TO BOWMANVILLE Extension of the rail line into Bowmanville has been recommended by GO Transit to address existing and future projected ridership demand requirements. The ability to pursue this plan is now more definitive due to the funding commitment from MoveOntario 2020. The first phase of the expansion will provide a.m. and p.m. peak service to Bowmanville with the ultimate plan to have all day service when demand warrants.
Report to: Council Report No.: PL 95-09 Page 3 of 9 Various alignments on the CN and CP Rail corridors were reviewed as part of the feasibility assessment. As part of the EA Study, no additional alignments are being considered. PART B - THE PREFERRED WHITBY ALIGNMENT. The preferred alignment in the Town of Whitby extends north from the CN Rail/GO Transit corridor crossing over Highway 401 and Champlain Avenue to connect into the CP Rail corridor in the Corbett Creek valley. The alignment does not address the planned extension of Consumers Drive. The impacts on future widening of Highway 401 should also be considered. Replacement of the culverts under the CN Rail/GO Transit right-of-way may be required. Whitby Recommendations: 1. That master drainage plans associated with the proposed rail extension be completed and the need for improvements be identified. 2. That the preferred alignment only proceed once it has been demonstrated that the extension, along with the widening of Highway 401, will not adversely impact flood conditions to private properties and environmental features of the surrounding valley lands. 3. That the proposed extension within Whitby from the CN Rail corridor to the CP Rail corridor include grade separations at both the future extension of Consumers Drive and at the existing level crossing at Thornton Road. 4. That such studies assume the full widening of Highway 401. PART C - GO STATIONS ALTERNATIVE TO BE ASSESSED The station locations assessed by the report did not include any assessment of any station opportunities in Oshawa or Whitby west of Thornton Road. This is due to the fact that the study had historically never considered a Whitby alignment between the CN Rail/GO Transit corridor and the CP Rail corridor. Had Whitby known and been consulted, Staff would have had the opportunity to raise this matter and other observations prior to the release of the report. A station in this location would have immediate access to both Thickson and Thornton Roads. These two arterial roads are existing streets that extend north through the existing and planned urban areas; from Champlain Avenue to Highway 12 in the case of Thickson Road and to Myrtle Road in the case of Thornton Road. Both arterials are also planned to interchange with Highway 407. A station location in the area between the Consumers Drive extension and Thornton Road along the preferred alignment would appear to be more accessible and convenient to the Whitby and Oshawa population, whether travelling by car or future transit service. This possible location should be included in the assessment.
Report to: Council Report No.: PL 95-09 Page 4 of 9 Whitby Recommendations: 1. That GO Transit s study include the examination of a future GO Station in the area west of Thornton Road in either or both Whitby and Oshawa; and 2. That the examination of a future station west of Thornton Road also include the impacts on drainage, as well as a transportation review of the impacts and requirements associated with access and the area road network. PART D - THE GO RAIL MAINTENANCE YARD The preferred location of the GO Transit rail maintenance yard is illustrated in Attachment #1. It is generally situated south of Victoria Street s planned re-alignment, adjacent to the CN Rail/GO Transit corridor east and west of Hopkins Street. Stormwater Management Storm water management plans will be required to control both quantity and quality during and after construction. On site containment areas may also be required to contain potential spills or leakage of contaminated liquids during emergency situations. Whitby Recommendations: 1. Updates to master drainage studies should be undertaken to ensure no net impacts to area properties and watersheds resulting from the proposal; and 2. Storm water and emergency management containment facility plans should be developed and implemented to the satisfaction of the Town of Whitby, CLOC and the MOEE. Town of Whitby Roads Hopkins Street Hopkins Street extends south of the CN Rail/GO Transit corridor and serves both Gerdau AmeriSteel and Hanson Pipe & Products. The proposed maintenance yard will require replacement of the existing overpass and realignment of Hopkins Street to accommodate the additional track lines on the GO Transit/CN Rail corridor. Hopkins Street is planned by the Region of Durham to span (flyover) Highway 401 and there are also plans to realign Victoria Street in the vicinity of the maintenance yard. The realignment is presently designed to accommodate the Highway 401 flyover. At present, Hopkins Street south of existing Victoria Street is under Town of Whitby jurisdiction. The replacement of the CN Rail/GO Transit overpass and roadway approaches are to be the full responsibility of GO Transit and should be designed so
Report to: Council Report No.: PL 95-09 Page 5 of 9 as to accommodate the planned re-alignment of Victoria Street and Highway 401 flyover. To minimize disruption in the area, the realignment of Victoria Street should coincide with the construction of the new CN Rail grade separation and Hopkins Street road works and be completed prior to opening of the rail maintenance yard. Whitby Recommendations: 1. The replacement of the CN Rail overpass and reconstruction of Hopkins Street south of Victoria Street to the lands south of the CN Rail/GO Transit corridor be the sole responsibility of GO Transit and/or the CN Rail; and 2. That servicing agreements to address the matters of performance, maintenance and ownership of the road and for the bridge structure be entered into whereby the full ownership and maintenance of the bridge structure would be that of GO Transit and/or CN Rail. South Blair Street At present, the existing rail crossing at South Blair Street is at grade controlled by gates and bells. Rail traffic crossing this location are required to sound their whistle and over the years, the municipality has received numerous requests by nearby residents to implement an anti-whistle by-law. If this crossing was to remain at-grade, it is anticipated that the proposed maintenance facility and associated rail traffic would increase the whistle activity and concerns from area residents. As well, the exposure factor at the crossing would increase with the additional rail traffic and create additional delays and conflicts for commercial and employee vehicle trips destined to/from the employment area to the south. This matter has been discussed with GO Transit representatives and it has been stated to the Town that they will be constructing a grade separation (subway) structure and thus eliminating the at-grade crossing. The construction and maintenance cost of this structure should be the responsibility of GO Transit. With the proposed maintenance yard, a grade separation at this location is fundamental to ensure the safe and efficient movement of goods and materials from local businesses and residents, as well as pedestrian and recreational trips destined to Whitby s waterfront. The construction of a subway structure could take up to two years and have significant impact on access to area lands during that time. It is requested that as part of any temporary rail diversions, at-grade road diversions also be maintained to ensure access is provided. Other area road improvements (operational and physical) may be required during construction to safely accommodate heavy vehicles and other forms of traffic (e.g. signals at Victoria Street). This is important also from an emergency service perspective as there are limited access points to the industrial areas in this part of Port Whitby. As well, many residents in Port Whitby have expressed concerns with truck traffic on Brock Street and Watson Street (currently posted No Heavy
Report to: Council Report No.: PL 95-09 Page 6 of 9 Trucks) and any increase associated with construction on these routes would create additional neighbourhood concerns. Whitby Recommendations: 1. That the improvements to construct a grade separation under the CN Rail/GO Transit corridor be endorsed provided that all costs associated with the approval, design and construction of the grade separation and approaches be the sole responsibility of GO Transit and that servicing agreements to address matters of performance, maintenance and ownership of the bridge structure be entered into whereby the full ownership and maintenance of the bridge structure would be that of GO Transit and/or CN Rail; and 2. That GO Transit provide during the construction of the South Blair Street grade separation the necessary at-grade road diversion on South Blair Street (or other acceptable alternate route not being Watson Street or Brock Street) to provide access to the industrial area. 6.0 PUBLIC COMMUNICATIONS/PLAN: Public notice of the proposed extension of GO Transit s rail service has in written text indicated that the project is to occur from the City of Oshawa to the area municipality of Clarington. While the map included the preferred alignment in the Town of Whitby the map was small and difficult to interpret and did not clearly define the proposed grade separation at South Blair Street. With the title given to the project, Whitby property owners may not have interpreted the alignment as being of interest. We suspect this occurred as the original options presented did not include an alignment in Whitby. Whitby Recommendations: 1. That future Public Notices title the project as being from the Town of Whitby to the area municipality of Clarington. It is Staff s understanding that communications respecting the preferred choices will be limited to those expressing interest and to those properties within 30 m of the GO s preferred alignment. The influence and impacts of this project will in staffs view extend beyond 30 meters. Staff recommend that the properties to be directly notified be within 120m of the planned alignment, to the industrial community off South Blair Street and within 120m of the rail alignment in the westerly approach to the maintenance yard. Whitby Recommendations: 1. That notification in the Town of Whitby be extended to all lands within 120 metres of the preferred alignment or maintenance yard and to all industrial properties on South Blair Street, Watson Street and Harbour Street.
Report to: Council Report No.: PL 95-09 Page 7 of 9 2. That notification include all properties within 120 metres of the existing CN Rail/GO Transit alignment between South Blair Street and Brock Street. 7.0 CONSIDERATIONS: A. PUBLIC The subject project is a major investment in commuter rail service to the residents of Whitby, Oshawa, Clarington and beyond to maximize ridership. The GO Transit stations need to be situated in the best location to provide maximum access to the existing and future population. The inclusion of the preferred Whitby alignment provides the opportunity for a new station location west of Thornton Road. Such a location merits a full review and a comparative analysis to assess the merits as a potential station site. Works within the vicinity of the valley lands associated with the Pringle and Corbett Creeks need careful study so that the development of valuable employment lands are not adversely impacted and in a manner whereby the integrity of the valley lands and Corbett wetland are maintained. Habitat restoration and contributions to the valley land habitats on the Corbett Creek need to be explored and a restoration plan created and implemented. The new maintenance yard provides a valuable and needed service for GO Transit. New and modified roads, intersections and bridge structures, to accommodate the GO Transit facilities, should be at the full cost of GO Transit. Agreements regarding ownership of the bridge structures and responsibilities for maintenance and repair need to be developed. The movement of goods and materials, logistic vehicles and employee vehicles to and from the employment areas south of Highway 401 must be maintained even during construction. While fully supporting the need for GO Transit s construction of an underpass at the CN Rail/GO Transit corridor at South Blair Street, the diversion of the vehicles destined to and from this industrial area needs a properly designed access route that will not jeopardize the timely movement of goods and materials to and from the industrial area in a manner that does not traverse a residential community. B. FINANCIAL N/A C. IMPACT ON & INPUT FROM OTHER DEPARTMENTS/SOURCES The projects should they be advanced as contemplated will require the consideration and input of all departments.
Report to: Council Report No.: PL 95-09 Page 8 of 9 D. CORPORATE AND/OR DEPARTMENT STRATEGIC PRIORITIES The subject development project is permitted by both the Whitby and the Durham Region Official Plans. The project provides for increased transit service to the Durham Region and to the residents of the Town of Whitby. The maintenance yard will secure some 300 400 new jobs in the Town of Whitby; jobs that are needed to sustain the operations of GO Transit s fleet. The maintenance yard is considered to be a secure long term employer. The investment will strengthen Whitby s industrial community and the service industry. The maintenance yard is compatible with the heavy industrial uses south of the CN Rail/GO Transit corridor, and will be sheltered by intervening development between the yard by office facilities and other industrial/commercial development. 8.0 SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION That Report PL 95-09 be forwarded to GO Transit and the chief consultant of this project, the Region of Durham, and the Minster of Environment. 9.0 ATTACHMENTS Attachment #1: Go Transit - Oshawa to Bowmanville Expansion Environmental Assessment, Presentation to Durham Region September 15, 2009 (Note: The Presentation document, as attached, has been modified to include a potential station location west of Thornton Road)
Report to: Council Report No.: PL 95-09 Page 9 of 9 For further information contact: Robert B. Short, Ext. 4309 / Suzanne Beale, Ext. 4311 Robert B. Short, Director of Planning, Ext. 4309 Suzanne Beale, Director of Public Works, Ext. 4311 Robert Petrie, Chief Administrative Officer, Ext. 2211