NGTA Halton Planning and Public Works Committee Niagara to GTA Corridor Planning and EA Study – Phase 1 Halton Planning and Public Works Committee July 4, 2012

Study Area

Overview of EA Study Process Individual Environmental Assessment EA Terms of Reference EA Phase 1 Selection of System Alternatives EA Phase 2 Class EA for Design Construction System Planning (e.g. roads, transit, rail, marine, air) Alternative Methods (e.g. route location for new provincial highways / transitways) MOE Review / Approval Alternatives to be pursued by other jurisdictions MOE Review / Approval 1 - 1.5 years 3 - 5 years 2 - 3 years Approx. Timeline 5 - 10years

Study Context The status quo is not an option There will be more than 1.2 million additional passenger and commercial vehicle trips per day in the NGTA study area by 2031 Transit is an important part of the solution, and it is assumed that plans and investment in transit over the next 20 years will result in an additional 700 million transit trips being accommodated in the GTHA by 2031 However, we cannot assume that those coming to the region will travel exclusively by bus or rail Those involved in moving goods agree that while there is a role for every mode, transport by truck is and will remain dominant New highway capacity is required The NGTA study team is conducting a more in-depth exploration of highway expansion options. This will involve: Assessing the relative merits of widening key highways such as Highway 403 and the QEW to determine if this option is preferable to constructing a new highway corridor Considering a wide range of criteria and factor areas — from transportation performance, to natural and cultural environments, to social and community impacts, to agriculture, to costs and the economy

Optimization & Non-Roadway Improvements The innovative ‘building block’ approach looked first at how best to use existing transportation facilities and expand transit/non-roadway infrastructure The draft Strategy is based on full implementation of the RTP by Metrolinx and GO 2020 Strategic Plan, and includes other recommendations such as: Adjustable speed limits (speed harmonization) Transit use of highway shoulders to bypass congestion Reversible (contra-flow) lanes and moveable barriers Hamilton focused inter-regional transit study Initiatives that support freight rail Optimization and non-roadway improvements are a core part of the Strategy, but the focus of the additional analysis will be on the roadway elements

The Three Sub-Areas

West Area Analysis Concern with recommendation to construct a new corridor connecting Highway 403 to the 407 ETR: Assessment of the alternatives has been undertaken at too broad of a level, without adequate quantification of the impacts The primary objective is more focused analysis based on more refined corridors to identify and assess more specific impacts The work will generally involve: Identifying new corridor alternatives connecting to Highway 401, 407 ETR, and other highways (e.g. Highway 6) Development of a conceptual plan for widening existing highways Identification of a preferred new corridor alternative and a preferred widening alternative, followed by evaluation to identify the preferred alternative overall The overall preferred alternative, will form the basis for Phase 2: Individual EA if the preferred alternative is a new corridor Class EA if the preferred alternative involves widening of existing highways

West Area Corridor Alternatives

Central Area Analysis Concern with recommendation to widen the QEW over a new corridor: Insufficient emphasis on the economic “enabler” benefits associated with a new highway corridor A planning horizon of 2031 is not long enough Future freight forecasts are understated A staged process will be undertaken: Stage One: Review 8-lane cross-section recommendation for QEW (6 general purpose + 2 HOV) Confirm residual capacity of this cross-section How far beyond 2031 will this cross-section provide adequate capacity? Consider both commuter peak period and summer congestion in this assessment Stage Two (If Necessary): If residual capacity is anticipated to be exceeded soon after 2031: Additional alternatives will be generated, assessed and evaluated These will include a 10-lane cross-section on QEW as well as new highway corridors

Central Area Corridor Alternatives In the Central Area: A staged approach will be undertaken.  Initially, the residual capacity of an 8 lane cross-section on QEW will be assessed.  If it is determined that the capacity of this cross-section will be exceeded soon after 2031, the Project Team will review other alternatives, including a 10 lane cross-section on QEW and new highway corridors

East Area Analysis The focus will be on identifying a more refined study area for a new provincial transportation corridor in the East Area The work will generally involve: Reviewing Niagara Region’s study for an east-west arterial road to determine relevance to the NGTA study Identifying required improvements to QEW and Highway 406 for each of the corridor alternatives to include within the overall assessment Assessing and evaluating the new corridor alternatives to identify a more refined study area for Phase 2 Ongoing coordination with Niagara Region will be undertaken so that NGTA solutions are consistent with the transportation and land use planning objectives of Niagara Region

East Area Corridor Alternatives

Next Steps Incorporate feedback from consultation on new highway and highway widening options Assessment and evaluation of new highway and highway widening options Present updated Strategy at PIC #5 (Fall 2012) Finalize Strategy (late 2012 / early 2013)