Bayview Avenue Open House 2

Bayview Avenue

Class Environmental Assessment Study

Steeles Avenue to Elgin Mills Road

WELCOME

TO OPEN HOUSE # 2

Please sign in and join our mailing list

Why Are We Here Tonight?

Study Process and Purpose of Open House

Notice of Study Commencement

Summer 2015

Phase 1: Problem and Opportunity Identify problems and opportunities

Phase 2: Alternative Planning Solutions Inventory the natural, social, economic and cultural

environments Identify and evaluate the planning alternatives Identify a Recommended Planning Solution • Consult agencies and the public and select Preferred

Planning Solution

Phase 3: Alternative Design Concepts for the Preferred Planning Solution

• Develop, assess and evaluate the design alternatives • Identify a Preliminary Preferred Design • Consult with agencies and the public • Confirm the Preferred Design

Phase 4: Environmental Study Report • Complete the Environmental Study Report (ESR) • 30 day public review and comment period

Phase 5: Implementation • Proceed to detailed design of the project • Property acquisition and utility relocation • Construction

Open House # 1 Oct 29, 2015

Open House # 2 June, 2016

Open House # 3 Fall/Winter 2016

Notice of Study

Completion Spring 2017

Purpose of Open House # 2

Share key feedback we received so far

Present initial findings of the needs and

opportunities identified for Bayview Avenue

and the vision for the corridor

Share the planning solutions considered to

address the needs of the corridor, the

evaluation process and the recommended

planning solution for discussion and

feedback

Speak one-on-one with the project team and

discuss potential improvements

Identify next steps in the study

Next Steps and How to Provide Your Feedback

Following this Open House the Project Team will:

• Review public and agency comments received

• Develop alternative design concepts and identify the

potential impacts for each alternative

• Identify a preliminary preferred design

• Host Open House #3 to present and request input on

the preliminary preferred design (Fall/Winter 2016)

• Based on input received, confirm the preferred

design and prepare the Environmental Study Report

for 30-day public review

How to get involved:

• Complete the on-line comment sheet / survey

• Request that your name be added to the study

mailing list

• Participate in the next Open House, planned for the

Fall/Winter 2016

• Provide your feedback by contacting the study team

directly, using the contact information to the right

Please complete the on-line comment sheet available

at the Bayview Avenue Class EA page on the Region’s

web site www.york.ca

or send comments to:

Cathy Parmer

Communications and Community

Engagement Specialist

The Regional Municipality of York

Phone: 1-877-464-9675 ext. 75560

Email: [email protected]

Your comments are welcome at any time throughout the

project. However, we ask that you provide your feedback

with respect to the Open House # 2 materials by

July 29, 2016

to allow us to incorporate critical information into the next

stage of the study.

What We Have Heard Your feedback is being used to inform

Phases 1, 2 and 3 of the Class EA study

Designated Cycling Facilities/Multi-Use Path/Cycling Amenities

Bike lanes throughout Bayview – dedicated, both sides – delineated bike lane to protect cyclists

Keep cyclists off Bayview or manage better Due to number of high schools on corridor – need bike lanes Currently avoid cycling on Bayview roadway – take sidewalks and

back streets Include safe cycling and pedestrian space, even if you may need to

take a car lane away. A separated cycletrack for Highway 7 between Town Centre Blvd and Sciberras Rd., was included when widening theroad to 6 lanes and hope other cycletracks will follow.

Vulnerable roadusers do not mix well with motorized vehicles on high speed and high volume roads.

A push for protected intersections would be great. Needs to be more pedestrian friendly to encourage people to walk

Prominent Pedestrian Setting/Improved Pedestrian Connections

Steeles to Highway 7 Implement an Integrated Approach to Pedestrian Travel along the

corridor

ub

lic C

on

su

ltatio

n

Road Capacity

Support for increased road capacity and improved travel times Add a reversible lane (southbound in morning, northbound in evening) No widening Widening only in certain sections Widening only portions without widening south of Steeles is not going

to solve the problem Any widening south of John should be kept to a minimum or not

widened at all Widen south end first – volumes increase as you go south Increased road capacity means more cars on road Improve other corridors (Woodbine, Leslie, Don Mills)

Concern about impacts to schools, seniors residences and other residences

Concern about Property Constraints

Commercial area parking should be directed to a single, signalized access

Access to Homes and Businesses

Improved Transit Service and Amenities

Coordination of bus routes – N/S-E/W Partnership with TTC Arrival time screens and ability to pay at bus shelters Increase frequency and speed Improve connections Reduce cost to get to TTC All buses should use turning lanes Slow route – would be more efficient if some buses went direct to

Richmond Hill Centre Improve transit to subway and Richmond Hill Centre Improve GO Train service (both ways, all day, 15 min) More parking at GO Stations Better transit stop locations Extend the Yonge Subway - make it a priority Build subway from Yonge and Highway 7 to Finch Coordinate transit with TTC – single zone system Use money to subsidize YRT and reduce fares If VIVA is extended on Yonge Street from Highway 7 to Newmarket,

not necessary to have transit improvements on Bayview Re-introduce the mini-shuttle to take transit passengers to the

Finch Subway Station Build a Bayview Avenue subway from Elgin Mills south to

downtown Toronto Needs to be more transit friendly to encourage people to take

transit places

More Efficient Transit Service (Transit/HOV lanes, signals)

HOV lanes not practical due to short distance between traffic lights Need for improved transit service in general – need to be better

integrated into neighbourhoods – neighbourhood bus networks – stops within 300 m of residences

Queue jump lanes/traffic signal priority HOV lanes do not work because people cheat and it becomes a

general purpose lane Do not convert existing lanes for transit/HOV A bus lane in the middle like Highway 7 is not pedestrian friendly-

do not repeat on Bayview

Support for enhanced streetscaping and urban design elements Good for short term improvements Enhance landscaping in Markham

Streetscape/Urban Design Features

Operational Improvements (Turn Lanes/Signals)

Left turn from John to northbound Bayview – are most motorists avoiding the lack of a long left turn at Steeles and Bayview? The other lights north of that intersection?

Use roundabouts at minor intersections Better use of traffic signals and advanced greens to speed up traffic Ensure pedestrian signal/counters actually go to zero and the traffic

signal cycles. Improved signal coordination Allow for advanced green turns during peak hours

Co

only in the rush hour direction

Traffic signals should be synchronized where stree

nt

ts are not major and are close

Improved signaling southbound in the morning

Vehicle Speeds

inu

o

Need to slow traffic down on side streets

us

P

Encourage appropriate mixed use development - will impact how Bayview functions and how people who use Bayview feel

Needs to be increased animation and liveliness on Bayview, and not just a median like on Dufferin north of Steeles (which almost serves to divide one side from the other, instead of making it feel closer and more accessible

Consider public art as it helps to make a location unique, allows for people to think about things differently

Environment

Development

Preservation of greenspace/trees Concern about too much and increased noise/air pollution

No changes to corridor Improvements needed badly – years wasted because of opposition Listen to residents/improve consultation Road widening would decrease property values of those backing onto Bayview Tolls for road Facilitate automobile use – it's always about pedestrians/transits/cyclists etc. Improvements needed south of Steeles – Cummer/Sheppard Local streets – rethink number of 4-way stops, reduced speeds needed –

Markham refuses speedbumps

General Comments

Commonly Asked Questions

Question / Comment Response

Road widening could be counterproductive for getting people out of cars. Why are we widening roads even if congestion will still exist?

The Region’s 2016 Transportation Master Plan Update provides transportation policies and directs investment in road and transit infrastructure. The TMP prioritizes sustainable modes such as transit, walking and cycling. In addition, the TMP has identified a future road network that seeks to address the greatest needs within the network. The TMP recognizes that the Region cannot address all of the travel demand through road widening, and a continued shift to sustainable modes of travel must occur.

How is York Region working to improve transit mode share?

The TMP prioritizes sustainable modes such as transit, walking and cycling. The TMP recognizes that continued shift to sustainable modes must be an integral part of future mobility.

Desire to continue collaboration with TTC to extend services further into York Region?

York Region will continue to collaborate with the TTC to explore how these services may be integrated.

Inquiry regarding the status of the Yonge subway extension.

York Region continues to encourage federal and provincial governments to move this project forward. The Yonge North Subway Extension is required now and the earliest possible completion date, should funding be announced in the immediate future, would be within ten years.

Support for High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV)/Transit lanes.

York Region will work with local municipalities through the planning and development of detailed strategies and implementation.

Are 4 to 6 lane road widening projects limited to transit/HOV only?

Yes, in accordance with Council policy.

Any consideration given to reversible lanes? Reversible lanes create significant safety and operation challenges at signalized intersections and therefore are not considered feasible.

Why Are We Studying

Bayview Avenue?

Why are We Studying Bayview Avenue?

Region’s 2016 Transportation Master Plan Update designates Bayview

Avenue as Frequent Transit Network (15 minute frequency or less)

Traffic congestion and limited provisions for transit, cyclists and

pedestrians

Approved growth, including transit-oriented communities, will

increase use of Bayview Avenue and require transit-supportive

infrastructure

The pavement and sidewalks in some areas have deteriorated

and improvements will be required soon

Region’s 10-year Capital Plan identifies funds reserved for 2020 for

Bayview Avenue (Major Mackenzie Drive to Highway 7)

Need to provide for Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act

(AODA) requirements

Existing Conditions

Bayview – Elgin Mills Road to Langstaff Road

• Bayview Avenue is 6 lanes from Langstaff Road to High Tech Road and

transitions to 4 lanes north of Bantry / Briggs Avenue

• Connection to Highway 7 and Highway 407

• Mix of residential, commercial and institutional land uses

• Mix of low, medium and high density dwellings

• Numerous redevelopments and infill areas, the largest of which are the

Langstaff Gateway and Observatory Hill

• Numerous commercial plazas

• Existing right-of-way ranges from 31 m to 44 m

• Toronto Montessori School, Kinderschool Nursery,

Richmond Hill Christian Academy, Bayview Avenue

Secondary School, John Vanier Catholic High School

• Anjuman-E-Burhani -Toronto Jamat

• St. George Antiochian Orthodox Church

• Richmond Hill Christian Community Church

• St. Paul’s Lutheran Church

• Our Lady Queen of the World Church

• St. Christopher’s Anglican Church

• German Mills Creek crossing

• Rouge River tributary crossing

Existing Conditions

Bayview – Langstaff Road to John Street

• Mix of residential and institutional land use with one commercial development at

Bayview Lane Plaza (other commercial development nearby on John Street)

• Mix of low, medium and high density dwellings

• Road right-of-way ranges from 33 m to 70 m

• Thornhill Community Centre (Bus Hub)

• Glynwood Retirement Residence

• Shouldice Hospital and associated Heritage Building immediately adjacent to

Bayview Avenue

• Fire Station and Water Pumping Station at Green Lane

• Thornlea Secondary School

• Bayview Reservoir

• Bayview Avenue bridge across the CN Rail line (Richmond Hill GO Line)

Bayview – John Street to Steeles Avenue

• Predominantly residential neighbourhood with one commercial development

(Longo’s Plaza)

• Predominantly low density dwellings with some pockets of medium to high density

• Road right-of-way ranges from 23 m to 52 m (23 m at CNR Bridge)

• Bayview-Steeles Bus Loop

• East Don River Crossings (2)

• Existing / historic flooding issues in John Street area

• Cham Shan Temple

• Imam Mahdi Islamic Centre

• Temple Har Zion

• CNR Bridge

How Does Bayview Avenue Fit Into

Approved Plans / Studies?

Key Growth Policies

York Region’s growth is mandated by the Province’s Growth Plan:

Places to Grow

York Region must have the appropriate infrastructure to accommodate

growth to 1.8 million people and 900,000 jobs by 2041 through roads,

transit service, municipal services, lands for both new urban growth and

infill development etc.

York Region’s Vision 2051, Strategic Plan 2015-2019 and Official Plan

(2009) all have policies related to how growth and transportation will be

managed.

All of these policies have common themes of:

Reducing automobile dependence by providing infrastructure for

sustainable transportation choices such as walking, cycling, riding

transit and ride sharing

Providing a connected transit network that is convenient and

accessible and provides frequent and efficient service

Creating livable cities and complete communities through

integrated urban and transit planning

Providing for strong economies by supporting the efficient

movement of people and goods

Growth Challenges

Transportation remains the number

one issue for residents in

York Region

Connecting the Transit Network

The Region’s transit network includes the following key components:

Rapid Transit

Complete connections between the four

Regional centres and extend to Jane

Street, Major Mackenzie Drive and

Leslie Street. Proposed Yonge Street

subway extension is a key priority.

Regional Express Rail (RER)

Metrolinx transforming GO rail network

to include electrified GO Trains and two-

way all day service.

Frequent Transit Network (FTN)

Enhance YRT/ Viva service levels to

develop a Frequent Transit Network

along major corridors in the urban areas.

FTN will operate at frequencies of 15

minutes or less.

Bayview Avenue is identified as part of the Frequent Transit Network

and is prioritized for implementation in 2017 based on route ridership,

relationship to the Viva Network Expansion Plan (VNEP), and the

Regional Express Rail network and connection to GO Stations.

Supporting the Future Road Network

The Region’s strategy for developing the future

road network includes:

Maximizing Person Carrying Capacity

Reducing the number of people driving

in single occupant vehicles is critical to

managing congestion. HOV lanes is one

strategy for increasing person capacity.

Building out the HOV network is a key

objective of the TMP.

Increasing Capacity to Serve

Development

New and expanded roads will be

required to serve planned growth areas.

Bayview Avenue is identified for Proposed Future 6 Lane

Widening which will expand the HOV network, support the

Frequent Transit Network and provide increased road

capacity to move more people.

Growing the Cycling Network

The Region will grow the cycling network by integrating active

transportation in urban areas 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.

Addressing Sidewalk Gaps

Address gaps to improve connections to

transit and destinations.

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.

Bayview Avenue is identified for a Separated Cycling Facility whic

expand the cycling network, link into existing cycling facilities, provide a safe

and appealing design which will make cycling a viable mobility choice.

h will

Moving More People –

Expanding the HOV Network

• HOV lanes on Bayview Avenue is part of the overall strategy

to support a shift from single occupant vehicle use

• A network that includes Bayview Avenue, Hwy 404 and other

arterial roads will attract carpool usage to those corridors with

travel time savings

• Smart Commute is a successful regional carpool program

supported by:

Metrolinx

MTO

York Region

Town of Richmond Hill

City of Markham

Many employers http://smartcommute.ca/markham-richmond

Moving More People -

Connecting the Transit Network

Bayview Avenue supports and benefits the transit network

Bayview Avenue is part of the Regional Road

network identified as the York Region Transit

(YRT) Frequent Transit Network (FTN).

The FTN creates a transit supportive grid system

providing increased service and efficiency to

attract increased ridership to YRT and other

transit systems.

Steeles Avenue is identified for widening to 6

lanes for Bus Rapid Transit. The Bayview

Avenue FTN will provide a key connection to the

future Steeles Avenue Bus Rapid Transit.

Bayview Avenue FTN reinforces connectivity to

Viva with links to the existing rapidway on

Highway 7 and the future rapidway on Major

Mackenzie Drive, thereby creating connections

to other parts the Viva system (for example,

Yonge Street and Leslie Street).

Steeles Avenue

Major Mackenzie

VivaNext expansion by 2020

YRT Frequent Transit Network (FTN)

TTC Rapid Transit Network

Moving More People –

Supporting New Communities

Bayview Avenue transit network improvements supports planned transit-oriented community

development

Richmond Hill / Langstaff Gateway Urban Growth Centre Yonge and Steeles Corridor Secondary Plan

• Planned development for 48,000 people and 31,000 jobs • Planned development for 10,300 people and 5,300 jobs

centred on existing/planned transit (Yonge Subway, 407 • Bayview Avenue is identified as 6 lanes for Transit Priority

Transitway, GO) with signal priority at key intersections

• Bayview Avenue is identified as Transit Priority Network to • Bayview Avenue facilitates efficient transit network

facilitate efficient transit network connectivity to the new connectivity to the new community and associated transit

community and associated transit hubs hubs

Predicted Travel Times With and Without

HOV/Transit Lanes

Significant travel time

improvements for the

afternoon rush hour

between Steeles

Avenue and Elgin Mills

Road are expected for

all vehicle types with

HOV/Transit lanes.

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

Single Occupancy Vehicles High Occupancy Vehicles Buses

PM

Pea

k H

ou

r C

orr

ido

r Tra

vel

Tim

e (

Min

ute

s)

Current 2041 Without HOV/Transit Lanes 2041 With HOV/Transit Lanes

What Are The Existing and Future

Needs for Bayview Avenue?

Summary of Bayview Avenue Needs

Based on the

information

presented on the

previous displays,

the problems and

opportunities

identified for

Bayview Avenue are

summarized here:

Continued access to homes,

businesses, schools, places of worship

Future Bayview Avenue

Protect heritage

resources and natural

environment features

Improved access to

higher order transit hubs during peak

periods

Frequent Transit

Network (improved

frequency and efficiency) Movement

of people and goods

Address traffic

congestion and travel demand

Support Growth and

New Communities

Functional, active and

vibrant street that provide for

walking, cycling transit use,

recreational use and social interaction

Safe and accessible

street for all users to create a liveable

community

Region Policies that

promote more sustainable modes of

travel

What Options Did We Consider to

Address These Needs?

Alternative Planning Solutions Considered

How do we address the problems and opportunities identified for Bayview Avenue?

Here are the alternative planning solutions we considered:

Alternative Planning Solution

Description

Do Nothing Maintain existing conditions on Bayview Avenue.

Transportation Demand Management

Reduce traffic demand and volume by creating cycling facilities, advocating carpooling, making transit more attractive to road users, encouraging work from home and/or flexible work hours.

Alternative Modes of Transportation

Provision of or improvements to pedestrian and cycling facilities. Improvements to transit system through increased service / frequency, improved efficiency ( queue jump lanes) and improved transit amenities.

Intersection Improvements

Intersection improvements such as dedicated turning lanes, new traffic signals, improvement of traffic signal timing to improve traffic operations.

Upgrade Parallel Roads Beyond Planned Improvements

Widen other south-north arterial roads (Woodbine Avenue, Leslie Street), beyond planned improvements (for example, widen from 4 to 8 lanes), to address the need for increased north-south traffic capacity.

Convert a Lane for HOV and Transit

Designate one existing lane in each direction for HOV and/or Transit only.

Add New Lanes for HOV and Transit

Add new lanes designated for HOV and/or Transit-only to optimize traffic flow and encourage a shift away from single occupant vehicle travel.

Factors Considered in

Evaluating Alternative Solutions

Each alternative solution was evaluated considering its ability to address the following factors:

Category Factors

Social / Community

• 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) • Ability to enhance streetscape

Natural Environment • Potential impacts to environmentally sensitive areas • Potential impacts to terrestrial and aquatic species and habitats, including Species at Risk • Potential changes to drainage

Heritage • Effects on archaeological resources • Effect on cultural heritage resources

Transportation

• Addresses existing and future capacity concerns on Bayview Avenue • Consistency with Region planning and policy documents • Improves transit network operations • Improves active transportation network connectivity (pedestrians, cyclists) • Improves traffic operations • Improves road safety

Cost • Comparative cost including utility relocation, capital, property and operations/maintenance

Evaluation of Alternative Planning Solutions

Category Do Nothing Transportation

Demand Management Alternative Modes of

Transportation Intersection

Improvements

Upgrade Parallel Roads Beyond

Planned Improvements

Convert Lane to HOV/Transit

Add New Lanes for HOV and Transit

Social / Community

- No property required - Congestion will worsen

impacting local and regional trips

- No opportunity to improve transit and cycling / pedestrian activities on Bayview Avenue

- No opportunity to enhance streetscape

- No property required - Congestion will worsen

impacting local and regional trips

- Although supportive of transit, cycling and pedestrian activities, this does not provide the infrastructure to support or enhance these forms of transportation


- Some property may be required but likely minimal

- Congestion will worsen impacting local and regional trips

- Some opportunity to enhance streetscape

- Some property may be required in localized areas


- No opportunity to improve transit and cycling / pedestrian activities

- Limited opportunity to enhance streetscape

- Widening other roads from 4 to o 8 lanes will have significant property impacts

- Congestion will worsen along Bayview Avenue, impacting local and regional trips

- No opportunity to improve transit and cycling / pedestrian activities on Bayview Avenue


- No opportunity to improve transit and cycling / pedestrian activities


- May result in property impacts

- Supports mobility for all modes within local community and across Region

- Provides opportunity to enhance streetscape

Natural Environment

- Avoids potential impacts to natural environment

- Avoids potential impacts to natural environment

- Very low potential for impacts to natural environment, since pedestrian and cycling opportunities can likely be kept within the existing right-of-way

- Very low potential for impacts to natural environment, since features are located away from intersections

- Avoids potential impact to natural environment along Bayview Avenue but likely significant impacts to natural features along other corridors

- Very low potential for impacts to natural environment since lanes conversion can likely be kept within the existing right-of-way

- Moderate potential for impacts to natural features since crossings at Rouge River Tributary and the Don River may require replacement

- Impacts can likely be minimized through mitigation measures

Heritage

- No potential built heritage or archaeological impacts

- No potential built heritage or archaeological impacts

- Low potential built heritage or archaeological impacts

- Low potential built heritage or archaeological impacts

- High potential for impacts to archaeological and Built Heritage features in other corridors

- Low potential archaeological impacts

- Low potential to impact built heritage Property

- Some potential archaeological impacts in undisturbed areas

- High potential to impact built heritage Property

Transportation

- Not consistent with City / Region planning policies

- Does not address anticipated transportation needs

- Does not improve network connectivity

- Does not improve road operations or safety

- Does not support improvements to transit, pedestrian and cycling

- Currently being implemented through Region policies

- Does not fully address anticipated transportation needs or improve network connectivity

- May result in some shift in travel demand which improves operations but overall does not improve road operations or safety

- Does not improve transit, pedestrian and cycling facilities

- Consistent with Region planning policies

- Does not fully address anticipated transportation needs

- Does not improve network connectivity for all users

- Does not improve road operations or safety

- Supports transit, cycling and pedestrian facilities


- Improves operations and safety at intersections but not for the entire Bayview Avenue corridor

- Only minor contribution to network connectivity

- Not consistent with Region planning policies

- Would provide additional north-south capacity in other corridors


- Would not improve operations or safety on Bayview Avenue

- Does not improve transit, pedestrian and cycling facilities along Bayview Avenue

- Not consistent with Region planning policies


- Would not improve operations or safety on Bayview Avenue

- Provides for HOV/Transit designation and support Transit Priority however, capacity of general purpose lanes is significantly reduced and therefore will not meet existing or future demand


- Addresses anticipated transportation needs

- Improves network connectivity for all users

- Improves road operations and safety

Cost

N/A - No capital costs - Continual costs for operations

and maintenance

$ - No capital costs - Continual costs for

operations and maintenance

$ - Costs associated with

implementation of new transit routes and sidewalks/multi-use trails are low compared to other alternatives

$ - Costs associated with

construction and implementation of operational improvements are low compared to other alternatives

$$$$$ - Construction costs are

significant when widening from 4 to 8 lanes entire corridors would require reconstruction

$ - Costs associated with re-

designation of existing lane are low compared to other alternatives

$$$$ - Costs associated with

construction for widening , including replacement of existing structures and improvements to pedestrian and cycling facilities

Evaluation Result

Not Recommended Already Being Implemented

Recommended Recommended Not Recommended Not Recommended Recommended

Evaluation Summary

Category Do Nothing Transportation

Demand Management

Alternative Modes of

Transportation

Intersection Improvements

Upgrade Parallel Roads

Beyond Planned

Improvements

Convert Lane to HOV/Transit

Add New Lanes for HOV and

Transit

Social / Community

Natural Environment

Heritage

Transportation

Cost N/A N/A $ $ $$$$$ $$ $$$$

Region

Recommendation

Not Recommended Already Being Implemented

Recommended Recommended Not Recommended Not Recommended Recommended

Does not address the needs for the Bayview Avenue.

TDM is already being implemented through various Region programs and policies. TDM does not fully address the needs on Bayview Avenue but is viewed as a key component to sustainable transportation choices.

These improvements alone would only partially address the transportation needs. Will work in combination with new HOV/Transit lanes.

These improvements alone would only partially address the transportation needs. Will work in combination with new HOV/Transit lanes.

Significantly greater impacts than other alternatives. Does not address needs on Bayview Avenue.

Results in unacceptable reduction in traffic capacity. Does not contribute to improved cycling/walking opportunities.

Provides necessary HOV/Transit network infrastructure to provide connectivity and efficiency. Consistent with Region plans/policies. Opportunity to mitigate some impacts.

Less Preferred More Preferred

What Is The Region

Recommending?

Region’s Recommended Planning Solution

The Recommended Planning Solution includes:

Alternative Modes of Transportation: Provision of or

improvements to pedestrian and new cycling facilities.

Improvements to transit system through improved efficiency

(queue jump lanes) and improved transit amenities.

Intersection Improvements: Dedicated turning lanes, new

traffic signals, traffic signal timing.

Add New Lanes for HOV and Transit: Widen Bayview

Avenue to provide increased traffic capacity by adding new

lanes designated for HOV and/or Transit-only to optimize

traffic flow and encourage a shift away from single

occupant vehicle travel.

The Recommended Planning Solution also provides an

opportunity for Streetscape design to enhance the communities

on Bayview Avenue with a sense of place.

The Recommended Planning Solution will

promote sustainable and safe multi-modal

transportation options for vehicles,

pedestrians, cyclists and transit users.

Why is the Region Recommending This?

Moving more people and goods - road improvements will

increase capacity, support transit, walking and cycling within

the transportation network.

Without improvements, by 2041 traffic on Bayview Avenue

will exceed capacity leading to even greater congestion and

increased travel time.

Transit and active transportation play key roles in supporting

and accommodating future growth by providing alternatives

to help shift away from single occupant vehicles.

HOV/Transit lanes provide improved network connectivity

and support other transit networks, better managing delays

and improving reliability of the network.

The additional lanes will implement the continuous and

connected Frequent Transit Network, as identified in the

TMP update.

Shifting people to the new Transit/HOV lanes will free-up

space in the general purpose lanes providing better

performance.

The improvements will complement future rapid transit on

Steeles Avenue.

What Happens Next In The Study?

Future Road Cross-Section Concept

Design Concept Alternatives will be developed in the next phase of the study to look at how the future

road cross-section can be accommodated within the Bayview Avenue corridor, where constraints may be

avoided and how impacts may be minimized.

• Roadway improvements will be accommodated within the existing right-of-way where feasible.

• The proposed right-of-way will be developed based on local conditions and

available space.

6-Lane with HOV/Transit Lane

Cross-section is preliminary and the elements, including opportunities for landscaping,

and dimensions will be reviewed and confirmed during the next stage of the study

Reference: The above image is created using Streetmix and is subject to the Creative Commons

Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/).

https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/



Next Steps - Design Considerations

In developing the Design Concept Alternatives, a number of

key constraints and design elements will be considered:

• Impacts to properties (residential and

business)

• Access to adjacent properties

• Existing and future land uses

• Existing drainage and flooding issues in

the south part of the corridor

• Drainage of roadside areas

• Major utilities within the study area

• Road design requirements

• Intersection, queue jump and turning lane

requirements

• Cell Tower adjacent to CN Rail bridge

• Rouge River and Don River (2) crossings

and associated Species at Risk

considerations

• Bayview Avenue structure over CN Rail

may be widened

• Bayview Avenue structure under CN Rail

needs to be replaced

• Streetscaping

• Pedestrian and cycling access across the

existing 6 lane bridge at Highway 407

• Bus circulation and parking design at

Thornhill Community Centre

• Heritage Properties (Shouldice Hospital)

• Type of active transportation facilities to

be provided

Active Transportation

Multi-use path is proposed on Bayview Avenue:

• East side from Elgin Mills Road to Laureleaf Road - Most schools, shops, several

adjoining network trails/paths are on the east in this section.

• West side from Laureleaf Road to Steeles Avenue - Key destinations of Finch TTC

Station and religious centres are on the west in that section. Laureleaf Road intersection

is considered as a good crossing point.

Sidewalk is proposed on Bayview Avenue (opposite side of the multi-use path):

• West side from Elgin Mills Road to Laureleaf Road

• East side from Laureleaf Road to Steeles Avenue

Factors considered were:

• Different types of cycling facilities

• Review of relevant planning documents

• Traffic speed, future road cross section, adjacent land uses

• Common routes for active transportation commuters

The recommendation for the combination of multi-use paths and sidewalk is based on:

• Multi-use paths and sidewalks provide a better improvement overall – preferred

• A combination of multi-use paths and sidewalks will be required to accommodate

all active transportation activities

• Multi-use path will complement existing trail system beyond the corridor

Different types of cycling

facilities were considered

Off Street provisions

for cyclists and

pedestrians

Documents

Bayview Avenue Open House 2