Leslie Street Between 19 th Avenue and Stouffville Road Addendum to Class Environmental Assessment Study Welcome to the Open House Please sign in at the front desk. March 28, 2017 Richmond Green Sports Centre
Your Feedback is Important How can you stay informed and provide input into the study? Representatives of the Project Team are available to discuss the project with you. Please ask questions and make your opinions known to us. Fill out a comment form and return to the Project Team by April 20, 2017 Join the study mailing list. Email us at roads.ea@york.ca to receive future study notices Visit us online at http://york.ca/lesliestreet Contact the project team at any time throughout the study to provide your feedback
Overview, Purpose & Study Area York Region is undertaking an Environmental Assessment (EA) Addendum study to address existing and future transportation needs in the study area to accommodate pedestrians, cyclists, public transit users and motorists. The study area falls within the Town of Richmond Hill. The Region is completing an Addendum to the approved 1996 Environmental Study Report (ESR). This is required to address changes in the environmental setting over the past 20 years. The purpose of this Open House is to share the following information and collect your feedback: Study Process and Schedule Background and Summary of Previous EA Study York Region Policy & TMP Perspective Environmental Conditions Problems and Opportunities Statement Existing and Future Traffic Cross section features Road Design Concepts Evaluation of Alternatives Preliminary Preferred Alternative Next Steps
Study Process and Schedule Municipal Class EA Process This Class EA Study is being carried out in accordance with the Municipal Class EA document. Members of the public and agencies have opportunities to review study recommendations and provide feedback throughout each phase of the study process, including but not limited to: Open House Response to notification Review of Environmental Addendum Study Report Study Schedule We Are Here
Study Background Previous EA, Completed & Planned Capital Works Projects In 1996 York Region completed an Environmental Assessment for Leslie Street from Major Mackenzie Drive to Stouffville Road. Some recommended improvements have already been initiated: Leslie Street - Major Mackenzie Road to Elgin Mills Road improvements were implemented in 2003. Leslie Street 19th Avenue Intersection Improvements includes realignment of the west leg of 19th Avenue to eliminate the existing jog in the intersection at Leslie Street as well as the reconstruction, urbanization and expansion of the intersection to accommodate a future 4-lane cross-section for Leslie Street. Project start is anticipated in 2017. EA Approved Leslie Street Elgin Mills Road to 19th Avenue: This project will include the widening of Leslie Street to a 4/5 lane urban cross-section including multi-use path (west side) and sidewalk (east side). Culvert replacement/extension at the two Rouge River tributary crossings. Project start is anticipated for Summer 2018. Source: Google Earth
Study Background Previous EA, EA Addendum Study The 1996 Environmental Study Report recommended the following improvements to Leslie Street from 19 th Avenue to Stouffville Road Staged widening from 2 to 4 lanes (initially constructing a 4 lane platform to accommodate future widening) Realignment at Stouffville Road to eliminate the jog at the Leslie Street & Stouffville Road intersection Grade Separation at the CN Rail crossing to be implemented when widening to 4 lanes occurs. Since 1996 the environmental setting has changed in several ways: Oak Ridges Moraine Act introduced Greenbelt Plan Act introduced Species at Risk Act introduced Provincially Significant Wetlands recognized Gormley Heritage Conservation District identified The Region is now completing an EA Addendum Study for Leslie Street from 19 th Avenue to Stouffville to evaluate new alternatives to address the changes in the environmental setting that have occurred since 1996. Source: Google Earth EA Approved
Supporting the Future Road Network The Region s strategy for widening the existing road network includes: Increasing Capacity to Serve Development Expanded roads will be required to serve planned growth areas and to maximize the efficiency of the existing road network. Widening of Leslie Street, the jog elimination at Stouffville Road and the grade separation at the CN crossing all support the growth within the area along with the proposed future 4 lane widening of Stouffville Road (under a separate EA).
Growing the Cycling Network The Region will grow the cycling network by integrating active transportation through: Strategic Cycling Network Linking existing facilities and those planned through road and transit projects to create network connections to Regional centres, transit stations and adjacent municipalities. Separated Facilities Separated cycling facilities are bikeways separated from traffic by more than just a painted line and may consist of bollards or delineators, mountable or barrier curbs, planters, concrete medians etc. New Design Approaches To improve safety, comfort and convenience of cyclists and to consider the type of cycling facilities based on traffic speeds and volumes. Leslie Street between 19 th Avenue and Stouffville Road is planned as a dedicated cycling facility. This planned facility links into other existing and planned cycling facilities and will make cycling a more viable mobility choice.
Socio-Economic Environment - Land Use Land Use generally consists of: Oak Ridges Moraine (ORM) Countryside with some ORM Natural Linkage areas Gormley Settlement Area at the north limits Low density residential and neighborhood commercial to the south. The area north of Stouffville Road and west of Leslie Road is the West Gormley Secondary Plan development
Natural Environment Natural Environment: The majority of the lands within the study area are designated Oak Ridges Moraine (ORM) Multiple Rouge River Tributaries Areas of Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA) regulated lands Newly designated Provincially Significant Wetland (PSW) Source: Google Source: Google
Cultural Heritage Environment Archaeology: Stage 1 Archaeology Assessment is being completed. Some areas are disturbed due to existing developments; however, some areas are undisturbed and may have archaeological potential Built Heritage: There are multiple properties that are of historical significance within the study area. There are two properties that are designated under the Ontario Heritage Act (OHA)
Problems and Opportunities Statement Leslie Street is currently operating at capacity during the peak periods and the cross section elements (i.e. pavement width, shoulder width, right-of-way, drainage) are sub-standard for a major arterial road within York Region s transportation network Leslie Street is currently discontinuous at Stouffville Road With the new GO Transit service, the current at-grade crossing with CN Rail could result in further traffic delays on Leslie Street. Leslie Street does not provide adequate pedestrian or cycling facilities In the Region s 2016 Transportation Master Plan (TMP) Update, Leslie Street is identified as a proposed future 4 lane roadway and is identified to include a proposed dedicated cycling facility. There is a need to: Support Growth and Development Manage Traffic Congestion Enhance Natural Environment Support and Encourage Walking and Cycling Source: York Region Source: Google
Traffic Analysis Screenline traffic analysis was conducted to assess the need for additional transportation capacity on Leslie Street between 19 th Avenue and Stouffville Road. The following scenarios were considered based on the following assumptions: Existing (2016) No improvements (i.e. 2 lanes) for 2031 & 2041 With improvements (i.e. 4 lanes) for 2031 & 2041 Assumptions: HOV lanes on Highway 404 in years 2031 & 2041 4 lanes on Bayview Avenue between Stouffville Road and 19 th Avenue in years 2031 & 2041 4 Lanes on Woodbine Avenue between 19 th Avenue and Victoria Square Boulevard in years 2031 & 2041
Traffic Analysis Existing & Future Conditions Existing (2016) Southbound AM Peak Hour Future (2031 & 2041) Southbound AM Peak Hour without 4 lanes Future (2031 & 2041) Southbound AM Peak Hour with 4-Lanes 2016 Screenline Location V/C on Leslie Street South of Stouffville 0.74 Good Road South of 19 th Avenue 1.08 Very Congested Screenline Location on Leslie Street South of Stouffville Road South of 19 th Avenue 2031 2041 V/C V/C 0.88 Unstable 0.97 Congested 1.11 Very Congested 1.30 Very Congested Screenline Location on Leslie Street South of Stouffville Road South of 19 th Avenue 2031 2041 V/C V/C 0.79 Good 0.92 Congested 0.92 Congested 1.18 Very Congested Leslie Street traffic volumes within the study area are approaching capacity south of 19 th Avenue. Without roadway widening, Leslie Street will operate in unstable to very-congested conditions by 2041. With a 4-lanes on Leslie, traffic operations see an improvement compared to 2 lanes. V/C 0.80 GOOD 0.80 V/C 0.90 UNSTABLE 0.90 V/C 1.00 CONGESTED V/C 1.00 VERY CONGESTED Note: Photos show examples of Level of Service
Design Considerations/Constraints and Factors for Evaluating Design Alternatives Category Design Considerations/Key Constraints Evaluation Factors Social / Community Natural Environment Impacts to properties, including accesses (residential and business) Existing and future land uses Consistency with Transportation Master Plan and other planning documents Coordination with agencies Impacts to Natural Environment (Provincially Significant Wetlands, Species At Risk) Rouge River tributary crossings Existing drainage Amount and type of property required Supports future growth and employment and economic sustainability (movement of people and goods) Potential impact to residences and businesses (disruption and nuisance) Noise, Air Quality & Climate Change Potential impacts to environmentally sensitive areas Potential impacts to terrestrial and aquatic species and habitats, including Species at Risk Potential changes to drainage Heritage Transportation / Technical Heritage properties Utilities within the study area Road design requirements Intersection improvements and turning lane requirements CN Rail crossing Streetscaping Pedestrian and cycling facilities Management of traffic congestion within the study area Effects on archaeological resources Effect on cultural heritage resources Addresses existing and future capacity concerns on Leslie Street Consistency with Region planning and policy documents Improves active transportation network connectivity (pedestrians, cyclists) Improves traffic operations Improves road safety
Alternative Design Concepts Cross Section Features The proposed cross section is consistent with the section of Leslie Street to the south and includes: 36 m right-of-way 4 lanes (2 northbound, 2 southbound) Sidewalk and/or Multi Use Path (MUP) Boulevard space between roadway and sidewalk/mup
Alternative Road Improvements Concepts Alternative A Original 1996 preferred alignment Goes through Provincially Significant Wetland (PSW) & online pond and bisects large section of natural wooded area and active farm land Requires two new crosses of Rouge River Tributary Minor residential property impacts & impacts existing farm building Alternative B Slight revision to 1996 preferred alignment Less impact to PSW and least impact to natural wooded area but has impact on active farm land Requires one new crossing of Rouge River Tributary Minor residential property impacts
Alternative Road Improvements Concepts Alternative C Major residential and religious property impacts & impacts to planned development Impacts perimeter of PSW, an online pond & natural wooded area Requires replacement or extension of existing culvert crossing of Rouge River Tributary Difficult construction staging Alternative D Major residential property impacts Impacts perimeter of PSW, an online pond & natural wooded area Requires replacement or extension of existing culvert crossing of Rouge River Tributary Difficult construction staging
Evaluation of Road Alternatives Legend Most Preferred Least Preferred O X FACTOR ALTERNATIVES FACTOR GROUP SUMMARY Alternative A Alternative B (PREFERRED) Alternative C Alternative D Socio- Economic X O Environment Cultural Environment X O Natural Environment X O O Transportation O O Cost & Construction X O Staging Alternative C is least preferred it would impact planned developments & multiple residential properties - has least impact on existing agricultural operations. Alternative D is less preferred it would impact multiple residential properties & would slightly impact agricultural operations Alternatives A & B are most preferred they impact the least number of residential properties. Alternatives A & B would have the greatest impact on existing agricultural operations; Alternative A would have slightly less impact on existing agricultural operations than Alternative B. Alternative C is least preferred it impacts the property of an Ontario Designated Property & it impacts most length of existing Leslie Street (considered a cultural heritage landscape feature.) Alternative C impacts a section of an existing woodlot which could have archaeological potential. Alternative D is less preferred it would impact a section of existing Leslie Street (considered a cultural heritage landscape feature). Alternative D impacts a section of an existing woodlot which could have archaeological potential. Alternatives A & B are most preferred they have the least impact on existing Leslie Street and does not impact any Ontario Designated Properties. Both these Alternatives slightly encroach on the Gormley Heritage District limits (no impacts to any buildings). Both these alternatives would have an impact on an existing woodlot which could have archaeological potential; Alternative A impacts a larger area of the woodlot than Alternative B. Alternative A is least preferred it would require 2 new crossings of redside dace sensitive habitat (a Species At Risk - SAR), impacts a provincially significant wetland, (PSW) bisects a natural wooded area and would require the removal of one on line pond that is potential foraging for Barn Swallow (a SAR). Alternatives C & D are less preferred as they impact the perimeter of the PSW, impact a moderate amount of the perimeter of the natural wooded area and may require the removal of two on line ponds that are potential foraging for Barn Swallow (a SAR). Alternative B is most preferred as it does not impact the on-line ponds, has the least amount of natural wooded area removal and has the least impact of the PSW. Alternative C & D are least preferred as they would require multiple new connections to Leslie Street for access to existing properties and would require realignment of Gormley Road West. They would also cross the railway tracks at a skew, would require multiple short back to back curves in the alignment and impact the existing utilities on Leslie Street. Alternatives A & B are most preferred as they cross the railway tracks at a relatively perpendicular angle, the number of accesses to the new alignment could be minimized and would impact the least number of utilities. New field accesses for the farm fields on either side of these alignments would be required. Alternative C is least preferred as the costs for properties would be the highest, the construction costs would be moderately high and the staging would be most complex. Alternative D is less preferred as the costs for properties would be moderately high, the construction costs would be moderately high and staging would be most complex. Alternatives A & B are most preferred as the property costs would be lower, the construction costs would be high and the staging would be the least complex. Overall Summary O X O Overall Alternative B is the Technically Preferred Alternative since it would provide the least impact to socio-economic, cultural environment, natural environment, is the most preferred in terms of transportation as well as cost and construction. Potential impacts to the natural environment will be minimized where feasible and where impacts are unavoidable, suitable mitigation measures will be developed through ongoing consultation with technical agencies.
Evaluation Outcomes Preliminary Preferred Alternative The preferred alternative for Leslie Street is Alternative B. The key features of this alternative are: Realignment of Leslie Street to the east south of Stouffville Road to eliminate the current offset. Widen Leslie Street to 4 lanes A continuous system of sidewalk and/or Multi-Use Path New 4 legged intersection at Stouffville Road at location of existing (3 legged) east intersection of Leslie Street/Stouffville Road Closure of west Leslie Street/Stouffville Road intersection New intersection with realigned Leslie Street and Gormley Road West Grade Separation at CN Railway (over or under rail to be determined) Access to properties along existing Leslie Street to be maintained Closure of existing at grade crossing of CN Rail along existing Leslie Street (cul-de-sac north and south of the rail tracks). Intersection improvements which includes extending turning lane storage and optimizing traffic signal phasing. Intersection design compliant with Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA)
Interim Intersection Improvements Interim improvements at Stouffville Road and Leslie Street are currently being reviewed by York Region to address operational issues Stouffville Road looking east at Leslie Street Source: Google Leslie Street looking north at Stouffville Road Source: Google Source: Google
Next Steps Following the Open House, the Project Team will: Address comments received Consult with technical agencies and property owners as requested Confirm preferred alternative Prepare and file an Addendum to the Environmental Study Report (ESR) Study Contact: Chris Lumsdon Communications & Community Engagement Specialist The Regional Municipality of York Phone: 1-877-464-9675 ext. 75560 Email: roads.ea@york.ca http://york.ca/lesliestreet Please ask questions and make your opinions known to the Project Team. Fill out a comment sheet before leaving.