HomeMy WebLinkAboutPD-238-91 TTPIFINIt'ITEP PITSINESS
THE CORPORATION OF THE TOWN OF NEWCASTLE
DN: HIGH-407 .GPA
REPORT
Meeting: General Purpose and Administration Committee File# -
Res. #
Date: Monday, October 7, 1991
By-(_aw# _�-
Report Fife#: —P-LN--23-,5.5
Subject: HIGHWAY 407 ROUTE PLANNING AND ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT STUDY
Recommendations:
It is respectfully recommended that the General Purpose and
Administration Committee recommend to Council the following:
1. THAT Report PD-238-91 be received;
2 . THAT the Ministry of Transportation be advised that the Town of
Newcastle supports the technically preferred route for Highway 407.
3 . THAT the Ministry of Transportation, Parker Consultants and the
Region of Durham Planning Department be so advised and forwarded
a copy of this report.
1. BACKGROUND
1. 1 At the meeting of June 3 , 1991, the General Purpose and
Administration Committee heard a presentation from representatives
of the Ministry of Transportation and Parker Consultants with
regard to the results of the second phase of the Highway 407 Route
Planning and Environmental Assessment Study. At that time a
technically preferred route was presented to members of Council.
The technically preferred route was based on assessments of
environmental and engineering data, discussions with other
government agencies and local municipalities and information
received from the public.
1. 2 Prior to moving to the third phase, preliminary design work oil the
technically preferred route, the Ministry of Transportation is
requesting the endorsement of Town Council. By correspondence
dated August 8, 1991, the Ministry Consultant requested the Town's
resolution by October 15, 1991.
REPORT NO. : PD-238-91 PAGE 2
1. 3 At its meeting of September 16, 1991 Council received
correspondence from the Ministry of Transportation regarding the
Public Information Centres. Council referred this matter to staff
for consideration in conjunction with the subject report.
2. EVALUATION PROCESS FOR ROUTE SELECTION
2 . 1 In the first phase of the study, a number of alternative routes
were developed to extend Highway 407 from Highway 48 to the Highway
35/115 junction at Enterprise Hill. The four alternative routes
were identified as North (N) , North Central (NC) , South Central
(SC) and South(S) . These were presented to Council and the general
public at Public Information Centres in June 1990.
Following the review of environmental, socio-economic and
engineering data and the input provided by residents at the Public
Information Centres, a number of modifications to the routes were
made as follows:
A new link from N and NC routes to SC and S routes in Oshawa
to provide an opportunity to avoid the agriculture core area
in Newcastle.
Interchanges were added at West Townline Road at the request
of the Region.
The SC Route between Harmony Road in Oshawa and Courtice Road
in Newcastle was relocated southerly to avoid impacts on
significant farm operations.
The NC interchange at Solina. Road was located northerly to
accommodate north-south freeway linkage.
A NC-SC link was added between Solina Road and Old Scugog
Road.
1 J ° .� ,
REPORT NO. : PD-238-91 PAGE 3
The NC alignment was adjusted southerly to avoid potential
impact on Skinner's Spring.
A new link through Mosport was added to avoid significant
heritage resources.
A new link north of Mosport into Manvers Township was added
as suggested at Public Information Centre.
The four routes as modified and utilized in the evaluation process
are indicated on Attachment #1. A 1: 20, 000 map of the alternative
routes has been forwarded to members of Committee under separate
cover.
It is noted that the route right-of-way requirements from Highway
48 in Markham to the north-south freeway link near Courtice Road
will accommodate an ultimate 10 lane freeway and transit corridor.
The remaining section to Highway 35/115 will be planned as an 8
lane freeway.
2 . 2 The evaluation of routes was undertaken by consideration of the
following factors groups:
Factor Group Factors
i) Natural Environment Ecosystem Integrity
Surface Water Quality
and Quantity
Fisheries
Vegetation
Wildlife
Hydrogeology
Waste Management
ii) Social Environment Communities
Recreation
Visual Aesthetics
Noise
iii) Economic Environment Provincial/Municipal Private
Development Strategics
Non-Farm Commercial Activities
c j. I
REPORT NO. : PD-238-91 PAGE 4
iv) Agriculture Physical Resource Consumption
Facility Resource Consumption
Farm Operation Impacts
Area Operation Impacts
V) Cultural Environment Historical Resources
Cultural Landscape
Archaeologic Resources
vi) Transportation/Engineering Network and Traffic Service
Geometrics
Geotechnical
Staging
Construction Considerations
Cost
2 . 3 Each factor and each factor group were rated as to their
significance in the evaluation process. The Factor Significance
Rating is shown on Attachment #2 .
Agriculture, Natural Environment and Transportation/Engineering
were rated as the most significant factors. The Social
Environment, Economic Environment and Cultural Environment were
rated as the less significant factors in the evaluation.
2 .4 The evaluation was done in nine stages, evaluating each route
against another proceeding east to west. The last stage considered
the entire length of three routes shown as North, Central and South
on Attachment #3 . The South route was selected for the following
reasons:
least impact on natural environment
least impact on agricultural community
best satisfies Newcastle's goals and objectives
best in terms of transit and travel demands
best in terms of costs and impacts of upgrading municipal
roads and the north-south 401-407 freeway link
best meets requirements of the Ministry of Agricultural and
Food and the Ministry of Natural Resources
� 7f- V
REPORT NO. : PD-238-91 PAGE 5
The Central and North alternatives would extend the 401-407 freeway
link thereby increasing its impact and costs.
3. PUBLIC INFORMATION CENTRES
3 . 1 Public Information Centres were conducted by the Ministry of
Transportation and their consultants at various locations in June.
The Public Information Centre for Newcastle was conducted on June
201 1991 in Tyrone. A total of 405 registrants representing 319
households and business attended.
3 . 2 As of August 1991, 72 Comment Sheets had been returned. Only 14
percent of the Newcastle registrants provided comments.
Thirteen preferred a more northerly routing, most of these people
were directly affected by or live adjacent to the Technically
Preferred Route. Seven of the comment sheets expressed concern
with the proximity to the existing hamlets. Another common concern
was with regard to the environmental and agricultural impacts of
the Highway.
4. COMMENTS
4 . 1 Highway 407 has been in the conceptual planning stages since the
sixties. It was reflected in the Durham Region Official Plan
adopted in 1976. In accordance with the Environmental Assessment
process, the rationale and need for the system was reviewed in 1989
in a document entitled Highway 407 Overview Study (Highway 48 to
351115) . This document was considered by Council in staff Report
PD-246-91. The comments contained therein were endorsed as the
Town's position. In summary, the Town recognized the imperative
of the development of the Highway 407 freeway network to ensure,
that the Region and the Town are in a position to accommodate
future growth requirements. This future transportation network was
to be identified and protected through the route selection and
environmental assessment process.
The Town also requested that the Province have regard for the
REPORT NO. : PD-238-91 PAGE 6
sensitive features of the Ganaraska and other headwaters in the Oak
Ridges Moraine in the route selection process.
In consideration of an earlier staff report PD-171-89, on July 10,
1989 Town Council also endorsed the designation of a north/south
freeway connection between Highway 401 and Highway 407 to the east
of the Courtice Urban Area.
4. 2 It is important to place the route selection and construction of
the Highway 407/Transit Transportation Corridor in the context of
future growth in the Greater Toronto Area. The actual construction
time is dependent on a variety of factors but could reasonably be
estimated to be 20 to 30 years from now. It is anticipated that
the first link across the north end of Metropolitan Toronto to
Highway 48 would be completed by approximately 2006. It will
proceed easterly from Toronto, thereafter with Newcastle will be
the last segment to be built.
By 2021, it is anticipated that the Town's population will triple
from its current population to approximately 142 , 000. Durham
Region, will be approximately 870, 000, more than double its current
390, 000. Regardless of future widening of Highway 401, it is
anticipated that there will be chronic congestion on that Highway.
In the Ministry's Highway 407 Overview Report, it was noted that
even with Highway 407 operational, the transportation network will
be inadequate to handle future travel demands. More drastic
measures would be needed to improve live/work relationships (ie.
reduce commuting) , increase transit usage and finding other means
of reducing vehicular traffic.
4. 3 It is opportune for the Ministry to conduct the route selection and
environmental assessment study for this facility at this time. It
is important to identify a route and obtain the necessary approvals
even if Highway 407 may be many years away from construction. This
will allow the proper decision to be made in anticipation of its
REPORT NO. : PD-238-91 PAGE 7
construction and provide certainty in the planning and development
of the municipality. Indeed the Town's review of its Official plan
will have to consider the implications to the Town of such a major
infrastructure.
4 .4 With regard to the rating of the significance of the Factor Groups
and Individual Factors (see Attachment #2) , staff are satisfied
that the weighting given to the various factors to be considered
was reasonable and reflective of the concerns of the Town. The
land base and natural features were given a high priority through
the weighting given to Natural Environment. Agriculture and
Transportation/Engineering Factor Groups were given the second
highest ranking.
4.5 The Route Selection Study appears to have given significant
consideration to the important physical features in the Town and
the Town's objectives for future growth. In particular, staff
concur with the findings on the technically preferred route for the
following reasons:
The South route serves the growing urban centres of Newcastle
much better and can best accommodate the Town's economic
development objectives;
It is recognized that the construction of Highway 407 will
inevitably spawn further growth pressures. A more southerly
route will contain these pressures further south, allowing the
northern part of the municipality to retain its rural
character;
The South route has the least impact on the important
agricultural lands in the Town and avoids most of the
significant agricultural operations;
The South route has the least impact on the natural
environment. By avoiding sensitive headwater areas,
' I
I
REPORT NO. : PD-238-91 PAGE 8
minimizing the number of creek crossings and impacting the
least amount of forested area, the south route has the least
impact on surface water, fisheries, vegetation and wildlife;
The South route minimizes the disruption caused by the
construction of the 401-407 north/south link freeway. Not
only is there a substantial cost savings from minimizing the
length of the link freeway but the impacts on the natural,
social and cultural environments and the agricultural
community are also minimized.
4. 6 The South route alignment has a greater impact on the social
environment. The south route impacts three hamlets -Solina,
Hampton and Leskard, as opposed to one or two for the other routes.
Between the Whitby/Oshawa boundary and Highway 35/115, a total of
32 residences would be displaced as opposed to 27 for the Central
and 17 for the North. Given the scale of this project, it does not
seem to be an unreasonable impact, noting that there will be a 20-
30 year lead time to prepare for the construction of this facility.
In addition, it is noted that the Ministry has an Advance Property
Purchase policy to enable the Ministry to address hardship
situations should they arise. The social impacts of this type of
facility is one of the major reasons for securing a route as soon
as possible.
4. 7 There are 8 interchanges proposed within the Town of Newcastle as
follows:
Townline Road
Courtice road (Regional Road 34)
Solina Road
Martin Road (REgional Road 57)
Liberty Street (Regional Road 14)
Bethesda Road ( connecting to Lambs Road)
Clarke/Darlington Townline (Regional Road 42)
1 �
� � J
I
REPORT NO. : PD-238-91 PAGE 9
Three of the above roads are currently under local jurisdiction,
although Townline Road is a Regional road, south of Taunton Road.
It is anticipated that any feeder road accessing Highway 407 would
be designated as a Regional road and upgraded to support the level
of traffic generated. It would appear that these north-south roads
would provide a good level of service for Newcastle residents and
businesses wishing to access the future Highway 407 .
It is suggested that the Solina Road interchange be examined within
the context of the 401/407 link freeway in order to minimize the
impact on the hamlet of Solina. Rundle Road may provide an
alternate without generating through traffic in the hamlet. It may
also provide for better spacing of the interchanges.
5. CONCLUSION
5. 1 The technically preferred route for the future Highway 407 is
judged by staff as best serving the Town's economic development
objectives by being closest to its urban areas. At the same time,
this route ranks highest by having the least impact on the natural
environment, the cultural landscape, the agricultural community and
best satisfying transit and travel objectives. On this basis, it
is recommended that Council endorse the technically preferred
route.
Following the review of the comments of municipalities,a variety
of agencies and residents, the Ministry of Transportation will be
entering the preliminary design stage to complete the documentation
required for the Environmental Assessment process. At that time,
Council will have further opportunity to comment on specific issues
related to the alignment and design of specific elements of the
highway including interchanges, bridges and the grade separation
of local roads.
I L 4 0
REPORT NO. : PD-238-91 PAGE 10
Respectfully submitted, Recommended for presentation
to the Committee
d Al
Franklin Wu, M.C. I.P. Lawrenc . Kotseff
Director of Planning Chief Administrative
and Development Officer
DC*FW*df
*Attachment #1 - Highway 407 Route Alternatives
*Attachment #2 - Factor Significance Rating for Evaluation
2 October 1991
Interested parties to be notified of Council and Committee's decision:
Mr. Patrick Reynolds
Ministry of Transportation
Central Region
3rd Floor
Atrium Tower
1201 Wilson Avenue
Downsview, Ontario. M3M 1J8
Mr. Doug W. Coutts, P. Eng.
Project Manager
Parker Consultants Ltd.
1400 Rymal Road East
Hamilton, Ontario. LOR 1P0
Ms. Leslie Scott
McCormick Rankin
2555 North Sheridan Way
Mississauga, Ontario. L5K 2P8
i
PROPOSED HIGHWAY 407/TRANSIT - OSHAWAMEWCASTLE SECTION WP 326-88-01
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Attachment #2
HIGHWAY 407/TRANSIT TRANSPORTATION CORRIDOR
ROUTE PLANNING AND ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT STUDY • HIGH
WHITBY/OSHAWA BOUNDARY TO HIGHWAY 35/115 t
W.P. 326-88-01
FACTOR SIGNIFICANCE RATING
FACTOR FACTOR, GROUP
FACTOR GROUP/FACTOR SIGNIFICANCE SIGNIFICANCE
RATING RATING
NATURAL ENVIRONMENT
ECOSYSTEMS
SURFACE WATER
FISHERIES
VEGETATION
WILDLIFE S
HYDROGEOLOGY
WASTE MANAGEMENT
SOCIAL ENVIRONMENT
COMMUNITIES
RECREATION .
AESTHETICS '
NOISE
ECONOMIC ENVIRONMENT
LAND USE
NON-FARM COMMUNITIES '
AGRICULTURE
PHYSICAL RESOURCES
FACILITY RESOURCES-
FARM OPERATIONS
AREA OPERATIONS
CULTURAL ENVIRONMENT
HISTORICAL O
ARCHAEOLOGICAL '
CULTURAL LANDSCAPE '
TRANSPORTATION AND
ENGINEERING
NETWORK/SERVICE
GEOMETRICS
GEOTECHNICAL
STAGING
CONSTRUCTION CONDITIONS
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SUMMARY COMPARISON
FacioR `EGMEN I SOUTH CENTRAL I NORTH
• least impact on surface water, • greatest intrusion on Oak Ridges
/\ fisneries, vegetation and wildlife Moraine area
NATURAL
A best meets MNR requirements • close proximity of Enfield ESA
' crosses 9 cold water streams • crosses 9 cold water streams • crosses 14 cold water streams
ENVIRONMENT
• 20 he of ESA required • 35 he of ESA required - 58 he ESA required
• 27 he forested areas required • 42 he of forested areas required • 64 he of forested areas required
/�
32 residences displaced • 27 residences displaced • 17 residences disolaced
S 0 C I A L • close proximity to hamlets of Saline • close proximity to Hamlet of Tyrone • encroaches on Enniskillen and Columbus
Hamoton, and Leskard (visual, noise (visual, noise, aesthetic considerations) (visual, noise, aestheiic considerationsl
aesthetic considerations)
ENVIRONMENT divides Kearon Dells Golf Course
• noise levels over 55 dBA, 66 • noise levels over 55 dBA, 22 • noise levels over 55 dBA, 12
f;
• best satisfies Newcastle goals, • least: imoact on designated settlement • greatest intrusion on Oak Ridges
ECONOMIC
objectives and is compatible with exoonsion Moraine area
—s• r-, 1 r`' ( Durham draft OP • less comootible with Newcastle OP • not compatible with Durham and
_:`� i,, .'► �, /1.N aotec.:ves Newcastle OP
•
best meets OMAF requirements • greater division of agricultural communii
• 489 he Class I and 2 lands • 425 he Class I and 2 lands 360 he Class I and 2 lands
Ar I II L ► I V I C total !arm property, 535 he • total form property, 467 he total form properfv, 445 he
G +I U L . it farm buildings displaced • i8 farm buildings displaced 7 farm buildings displaced
• least impact on large form operations • greatest impact on livestock operations affects 12 LSAE's
• affects 12 LSAE•s - affects' 15 L_AE's
CU L T U R A L least impact on cultural landscape least impact on historical'resources
_ C _ ( • 15 historic houses disolaced i�cluding I • IS historic houses displaced including I historic house rated moderate
` 7 ENV►R O N f�/1,_I V ► I excellent. 4 moderate and ordinary I excellent. 3 moderate and 6 ordinary
• best able to satisfy transit and travel least able to satisfy transit and
demand objectives travel demand objectives
► ^�I G` ? r ► A I O N • 9 hyaro towers to be relocated • 9 hydro towers to be relocated or • 6 hydro towers to be relocated
�V J • least impacts and cost for upgrading adjusted
� t municioci roads and 401-107 link
C i E:V C I��E R i N V skew angle 50 deg, at Hignway 35/115 • skew angle 58 deg. at Darlington
(less 'hon desiraolel Townfine Road
5i..iivWLAR* ! R /-/1-. Ti0NALE
South segment was zeiectea because 'east 1moac: on natural environment 3 Zgrtculturel community, best satisfies Newcastle goals 9 objectives, best in terms of
satisfying •ravel demancs, cost 5 imocc:s !or uograciing muntc'.Dal rotas and 401-107 Ann. S nest neeis requirements of Ontario Ministry of Agricealure one Ministry
of Vaturat Resnurr_s. Centrcl and nor.h alternatives would extena =Ct-107 tints northerly rn' associates incr ease in imogas.