CREATING CONNECTIONS IN AURORA

Transcription

1 CREATING CONNECTIONS IN AURORA NICK SPENSIERI, DIRECTOR, CORRIDOR INFRASTRUCTURE METROLINX ERIN MOROZ, DIRECTOR, COMMUNICATIONS AND COMMUNITY RELATIONS METROLINX MARCH 28, 2017

2 GRIDLOCK COSTS OUR ECONONY Residents could spend 109 minutes per day in traffic

3 REGIONAL TRANSFORMATION

4 METROLINX PLAN BUILD OPERATE

5 GO EXPANSION PROGRAM

6 BARRIE SERVICE IMPROVEMENTS 3 Parking Structures Upgrades to 6 Stations (new platforms, accessibility, active transportation, etc.) Corridor Electrification and Substation Bridge Widenings Innisfil Innisfil Grade Separations Mulock Mulock 2 New Stations Davenport Diamond Grade Separation Proposed Stations Kirby Kirby Grading and signal improvements are already underway on a six-kilometer stretch of the line between the York University and Rutherford GO Stations. Trips/Day Davenport Diamond Davenport Diamond

7 RICHMOND HILL SERVICE IMPROVEMENTS minute service from Bloomington Station to Union Station in the morning minute service from Union Station to Bloomington Station in the afternoon/ evening

8 MUNICIPAL ENGAGEMENT As the volume of work increases, the importance of establishing tables where we can have regular dialogue in support of advancing capital infrastructure projects with municipal partners is critical to delivering transit to communities across the region. These opportunities include: RER Capital Leaders Forum (network-wide table for executive dialogue and advice related to GO expansion projects) RER Regional Sessions (focus on providing regular updates for municipal staff) Municipal Program Committees (municipal specific committees focussed on advancing specific projects)

9 UPDATE ON RAIL INFRASTRUCTURE IN AURORA

10 INFRASTRUCTURE NEEDS FOR GO EXPANSION Bringing more transit options and new levels of service doesn t come easy. Metrolinx is undertaking one of the largest infrastructure projects in North America. There is community-level disruption required to build a region-wide, integrated transit network.

11 BARRIE CORRIDOR PROGRAM OVERVIEW Infrastructure Build: Double track from Union to Aurora Signal improvements Bridge structure modifications Bradford layover expansion and modifications Barrie layover expansion Station modifications/parking expansion Improved rail crossings Grade separations (Wellington St E) Customer experience improvements Innisfil Kirby Mulock Davenport Diamond

12 ELECTRIFICATION In order to electrify, we need to build infrastructure including traction power substations, switching stations, paralleling stations, overhead contact systems and various safety modifications. This includes switching stations and paralleling stations at Maple and Newmarket. Design excellence is part of designing this infrastructure.

13 NEW TRACK AND NEW STATIONS

14 NEW TRACK AND NEW STATIONS New Track Barrie Corridor From Union Station to Aurora GO Station to support 15-minute service from Union Station. New Stations Gormley (opened December 2016) Kirby (near Keele Street) Mulock (near Bayview Avenue) Bloomington (construction mobilized) Downsview Park

15 AURORA GO STATION 2 nd Platform Existing Track New Tracks Scope Phase I Phase II Pedestrian Tunnels New 2 nd Platform Station Canopy Surface Parking Milestone Schedule Phase I Phase II Design Jun Feb 2016 Aug Oct 2017 Procurement Feb 2016 Jun 2016 ** Oct 2017 Sept 2018 Construction Jun 2016 Mar 2017 ** Sept 2018 Sept 2021

16 RICHMOND HILL: BLOOMINGTON GO STATION Construction started: February 2017

17 YONGE STREET BRIDGE EXPANSION Metrolinx is committed to widening the Yonge Street Bridge and installing architectural enhancements on the bridge that will create a gateway into the town. Continuing discussions with Town staff about the installation of a Welcome to Aurora sign on the bridge. Working with Town staff in Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Services on the installation of a multi-use path behind the Yonge Street Bridge abutment.

18 BERCZY STREET We understand the concerns about Berczy Street and the importance of the road locally during and after construction. At this early stage in the process, it is difficult to determine whether we can keep it open during construction, but we commit to trying to accommodate this request. Will continue working with Town staff to look at options for keeping Berczy Street open after construction is completed.

19 PARKING The current plan is to use the 12 Industrial Road property as a temporary parking lot when construction starts on the station platforms currently tracking for the fall Continue to work with Town staff on alternative parking arrangements. Finalizing the Parking Utilization Study, which is looking at parking availability in nearby Town-owned properties.

20 WHISTLE NOISE MITIGATION The environmental assessment for additional track covers noise impacts as a result of construction and increased service. The use of train whistles is governed by Transport Canada rules and regulations. Metrolinx will also work with the Town of Aurora if there is interest in a Town-led study related to whistle noise mitigation.

21 LEVEL CROSSINGS & GRADE SEPARATIONS

22 LEVEL CROSSINGS ROAD/RAIL INTERSECTIONS With over 50 level crossings in York Region, they will continue to be a significant feature of the network. All level crossings on the GO network were assessed based on four criteria which included a number of components: Usage and Existing Conditions (60%) Exposure Index (traffic and rail volumes) Geometry Accidents/Collisions Adjacent roadways and queuing Operations (20%) GO Service improvements Special users (e.g. local transit, emergency services) Service reliability Station proximity Social & Environmental (10%) Visual improvement Noise improvement Community connectivity Cost (10%) Construction Property Maintenance

23 LEVEL CROSSINGS: SORTING REVIEW Among high and medium priority locations, a tiered approach was adopted to inform prioritization and discussions with municipalities. 23

24 LEVEL CROSSINGS: LONG TERM PLAN Metrolinx will continue to work with municipal counterparts to plan for and advance grade separations where possible. Metrolinx recommends a longer term plan be considered beyond the current program to move additional projects forward through planning and design, subject to approvals and funding. RER Grade Separations Municipal Partners Federal Support This would allow for continued progress on a pipeline of locations not proceeding immediately as part of this RER program. Recommended additional planning and design (subject to approvals and funding) RER Program Future Projects RER Program Beyond RER

25 RESULTS: LEVEL CROSSINGS IN YORK REGION Four proposed grade separations: Rutherford Road: adjacent to station, EA completed by York Region, planning underway, highest overall EI forecast on GO network. Wellington Street East: adjacent to station, heritage elements to be considered. McNaughton Road: adjacent to station. Steeles Avenue East: adjacent to station, EA underway by City of Toronto

26 WELLINGTON STREET GRADE SEPARATION Work on the Wellington grade separation is still in preliminary stage. Open to working collaboratively with Town staff on ensuring pedestrian linkages across the corridor.

27 WELLINGTON STREET GRADE SEPARATION Wellington Street grade separation is still in the preliminary stage of planning and feasibility. Next step is to conduct a high-level feasibility study, followed by an environmental assessment. Detailed information on the noise impacts, environmental impacts, and heritage property impacts as part of this process. A pocket track and some other infrastructure upgrades must be completed before construction begins on the grade separation. Construction on the grade separation is anticipated to start in early 2020, and is estimated to be completed by early 2023.

28 NEXT STEPS: LEVEL CROSSINGS Study to identify recommended improvements for atgrade crossings Municipal input will be part of this exercise Launch region-wide Community Advisory Committee Grade Separation Projects: Finalize municipal agreements Complete or initiate Environmental Assessment as required Enhanced Safety and Education Awareness

29 COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

30 COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT TO DATE Public meetings: Distributed a notice to all residents living 100m from the corridor, inviting residents to 2016 open house series Electrification/Double-Track EA Cardinal Carter High School, November Briefings: Project update Aurora Village Co-op, November MPP Ballard s office, and Councillors McRoberts, Abel, and Mrakas Aurora tunnel work & alternative parking, August MPP Ballard & constituents Our Lady of Grace Church parking lot, August MPP Ballard, Town Councillors, Town staff Our Lady of Grace, September

31 HOW WE ARE GOING TO WORK WITH YOU Metrolinx recognizes that with new infrastructure and construction comes impacts to the community that must be worked through with residents and their elected officials. A regional Municipal and Community regional tour is currently underway that creates an annual schedule for getting to every municipal council and for providing a comprehensive narrative for residents of each municipality that details what this program will look like locally. We are working with municipal partners to schedule local consultations on new stations. We are developing a community charter which will commit the organization to building the regional transportation system in a way that is respectful of the communities it touches. This is in addition to the standard community relations support that we have traditionally provided on the ground on projects like Georgetown South and the Eglinton Crosstown. 31

32 COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT: PROJECT CYCLE Introduce the project to municipal partners & community and ask for initial feedback Work with residents to establish why the project is needed and proposed approach Planning & Feasibility Environmental Assessment (only applies to new infrastructure ) Formal consultation period included in the TPAP Construction Design & Procurement Focus on minimizing impact to residents, keeping the community informed and managing/being responsive to issues as they arise. Work with municipal partners/community to inform the details of the project, address design concerns and build momentum. 32

33 As our region grows our transit system needs to grow too.

34 APPENDIX

35 REGIONAL TRANSPORTATION PLAN YEAR VISION Creating new connections across our region

36 OVER $30B IN INVESTMENT IN THE GTHA S RAPID TRANSIT NETWORK EXPANDING GO TRAIN SERVICE 74 KM OF NEW LIGHT RAIL TRANSIT 68 KM OF NEW BUS RAPID TRANSIT CONNECTING IT ALL TOGETHER More service on all lines Electric trains, every 15 minutes or better in both directions, for most GO customers 23 more stations and line extensions to serve new markets Under construction: Eglinton Crosstown In procurement: Finch West Hurontario Hamilton B-Line In design / planning: Sheppard East Partially in-service, with remainder under construction: Viva in York Region Mississauga Transitway In design / planning: Hamilton A-Line Expanding and revitalizing Union Station, the heart of the regional network Completing the implementation of PRESTO across the region