Why Light Rail Transit (LRT)? Metrolinx’s The Big Move approved in November 2008 identifies LRT on Don Mills / Leslie Street from the Bloor / Danforth Subway to Highway 7 The Don Mills Road LRT is part of Toronto’s Transit City Plan and a planning study is currently underway south of Steeles Avenue Recommendations from York Region’s Draft Transportation Master Plan Update identifies Don Mills Road / Leslie Street as a Rapid Transit Corridor What are we studying? We are undertaking a transit planning and assessment study for light rail transit on Don Mills Road and Leslie Street from Steeles Avenue to Highway 7. Phase 1 (Spring and Summer 2009) The first phase of the study will define the specific details of the LRT system, including: Number and locations of stations Cross-sectional elements (landscaping, pedestrian features, bike lanes, etc.) Intersection configuration Requirements for special track work LRT system requirements including electrical substations Terminal facility needs and interface with the Highway 7 Transitway and Highway 407 Transitway Phase 2 (Fall 2009 and Winter 2010) The environmental effects and mitigation for the preferred transit project will be assessed in accordance with the Transit Project Assessment Process, O.Reg. 231/08 during Phase 2. Study Area Motions have recently been received from the Town of Markham and the Town of Richmond Hill to extend the study area to Major Mackenzie Drive. This request has been acknowledged and is currently under review. Metrolinx | The Big Move Source: M etrolinx The Big Move Schedule 1 Metrolinx has identified a possible extension of the proposed Finch LRT line to Don Mills Road, terminating at Don Mills Station Don Mills Road / Leslie Street Rapid Transit from the Bloor/Danforth subway to Highway 7 has been identified in the Metrolinx Regional Transportation Plan within the first 15-year time horizon. City of Toronto | Transit City Toronto is currently undertaking a planning study for an LRT line in the Don Mills corridor from Steeles Avenue to the Bloor / Danforth Subway. The first round of public consultation was held in June 2008. Further information can be found on their project website: http://www.toronto.ca/involved/ projects/don_mills/index.htm Source: City of Toronto Transit City Light Rail Plan Update (February 2009) Transportation York Region | Master Plan Update 2021 Transit priority improvements from Highway 7 to Major Mackenzie Drive (may include transit signal priority, HOV lanes, queue jump lanes, etc.) Rapid Transit Corridor from Steeles Avenue to Hwy 7 2031 Rapid Transit Corridor from Steeles Avenue to Major Mackenzie Drive What are the Existing Conditions in the Study Area? Shaar Shalom Synagogue Looking north on Don Mills Road Sim onston Park N B on st on John St m Si d lv Simonston Blvd Steeles Ave Looking north on Don Mills Road Paddock Park Shops off Steeles and 404 Plaza Looking north on Don Mills Road What are the Existing Conditions in the Study Area? Leslie Street crossing the railroad Germ an Mills Creek The hydro corridor Dr hur st N 1 4 th L n Ly n d CN R n nL John e Gre St Ascot Mansions Condom inium Bishop Star Plaza Looking south on Leslie Street south of the CNR crossing Germ an Mills Creek Jesus the King Melkite Catholic Church and Lyndhurst Day Nursery Looking south down Leslie Street Looking south down Leslie Street What are the Existing Conditions in the Study Area? The Hydro Corridor Trail west from Leslie Street Looking north on Leslie Street Times Square (northwest corner of Leslie and Highw ay 7) Viva stop on Highw ay 7 Hwy 7 Minth o rn B l r Commerce V alley D Hwy 407 N vd St. Robert’s Catholic School Looking north on Leslie Street at Highw ay 407 Southeast corner of Leslie Street and Comm erce Valley Drive Southeast corner of Leslie Street and Highw ay 7 Northeast corner of Leslie Street and Highw ay 7 Land Use Frontage Conditions Trails and Open Space Connections Environmental Features Transit Connections The Natural Environment The study area is home to a unique natural environment Natural vegetation communities in the study area include: Fresh-moist lowland deciduous forest (near German Mills Creek) Dry-moist old field meadow (in the hydro corridor) The Town of Markham Official Plan identifies the Hydro Corridor as a “Special Policy” area and German Mills Creek as “Valley Lands”. German Mills Creek, a non-navigable watercourse, is part of the East Don Watershed. A rare species of vegetation exist near German Mills Creek - Honey Locust. Street trees provide a barrier between the traffic on Leslie Street and the nearby residential neighbourhoods. The Hydro Corridor German Mills Creek Street trees near Leslie Street Archaeology The Towns of Markham and Richmond Hill have a rich cultural heritage: 55 archaeological sites have been registered within 2 km of the study area Areas that may require a further Stage 2 archaeology assessment include: Simonston Park Paddock Park The north side of German Mills Creek, east of Leslie Street The Hydro Corridor Simonston Park Paddock Park What are the Projected Transit Ridership Forecasts? Transit Ridership is growing: Highway 7 & Leslie Street is a key destination – the peak direction of the corridor is oriented toward Highway 7 What is a Typical Modern LRT Vehicle? A typical modern LRT vehicle has the following features: Large capacity Fully accessible low-floor vehicles Boarding at all doors Operator cabs at both ends No emissions produced directly by the vehicle High efficiency Low operating costs Low noise Copyright 2007 Thierry Leleu Transitway Typical Section Midblock At Stations What comes with LRT? Commuter Parking Special Track Work Provides convenient access for riders further from stations Crossover and storage tracks Catenaries Electrical Substations Transmit traction power to the LRT vehicle Required to supply traction power to the LRT What comes with LRT? Passenger Pick Up & Drop Off (PPUDO) Traffic, transit and pedestrian facilities Boulevards and medians Vivastations Design Elements Key Station Locations Stations will provide access to potential riders, transit connections, and destinations. The large circles represent a 400 m radius from the proposed station node locations Station spacing is in metres What’s Important in Planning the Highway 7 Transit Hub? The Highway 7 / Leslie Transit Hub will be a key junction in the Region’s transit network and will be part of a growing destination. Transit Connections Convenient pedestrian access Minimal transfer times Year-round protection from the weather Integration with the surrounding environment Highway 7 Transitway LESLIE S T HIGHWAY 7 Leslie LRT What’s next? Development of Alternative Solutions Stay Involved! Visit www.vivanext.com First PCC 1 Development of Alternative Designs Public and Agency Workshops PCC 2 EA Documentation To be coordinated with Toronto/TTC Public and Agency Workshops PCC 3 Approval June 10, 2009 August 2009 October 2009 November 2009 December 2009 February 2010 Thank You Your input is important and appreciated Your views and opinions matter to us. You can share your thoughts by completing a comment sheet tonight or by June 24, 2009. If you have any questions or comments after tonight’s meeting, please contact: Dale Albers Chief Communications Officer York Region Rapid Transit Corporation 1 West Pearce Street, 6th Floor Richmond Hill, Ontario, L4B 3K3 Phone: 905-886-6767 Fax: 905-886-6969 Dale.Albers@york.ca Steve Mota, P.Eng. Project Manager Regional Municipality of York Transportation and Works Dept. 17250 Yonge Street Newmarket, Ontario, L3Y 6Z1 Phone: 905-764-6345 ext 5056 Fax: 905-895-0191 Steve.Mota@york.ca Scott Thorburn, P.Eng. Consultant Project Director URS Canada Inc. 75 Commerce Valley Drive East Markham, Ontario, L3T 7N9 Phone: 905-882-3534 Fax: 905-882-4399 e-mail: Scott_Thorburn@urscorp.com