Townline Road (Regional Road 55) Class Environmental Assessment Road and Drainage Improvements Public Information Centre June 19, 2019 6:30-7:30 p.m. Pierre Elliott Trudeau Public School 1111 Beatrice Street East, Oshawa L1K 2S7 Thank you for attending the Public Information Centre We need your input on: 1. The characterization of the Problems and Opportunities. 2. Proposed alternative solutions to address the Problems. 1
Background Study Area Townline Road is a Type B Arterial Road serving both traffic flow and land access functions. Type B Arterial Roads generally serve mid-distance traffic movements and distribute traffic to/from lower classification roads, for example Whitelaw Ave. to/from higher classification roads such as Townline Rd. The Region is currently undertaking the N installation of a sanitary sewer which will necessitate the rehabilitation/ reconstruction of Townline Road between Whitelaw Ave. and Taunton Road. Study Purpose Durham’s Transportation Master Plan (TMP) identifies Townline Road from Pebblestone Road to Taunton Road to be widened from 2 to 3 lanes beyond the year 2031. Currently the travel demand on Townline Road does not justify widening from a capacity standpoint however from a safety standpoint the Region is identifying and evaluating alternative solutions including adding a Two Way Left Turn Lane (TWLTL) between Whitelaw Ave. and Taunton Rd. now to improve safety for vehicles turning onto or from the existing cluster of residences north of Whitelaw Ave. The potential addition of the additional lane is the trigger for this Municipal Class Environmental Assessment. This EA is following the Planning process of Schedule B requirements of the Municipal Class EA (MEA, October 2000 as amended 2007, 2011 & 2015) Association Study Objectives 1. Complete a traffic analysis to confirm the need of the preferred alternative solution. 2. Complete Phases 1 & 2 of the Municipal Class EA process. 3. Provide consideration of a reasonable range of alternative solutions. 4. Consider the effects on all aspects of the environment and prepare a systematic evaluation of solutions considered. 5. Select a Preliminary Preferred Solution. 2
Environmental Assessment Planning & Design Process Phase 1 Phase 2 Phase 3 Phase 4 Phase 5 Problem or Alternative Alternative Design Environmental Study Implementation Opportunity Solutions for Preferred Report Solutions Winter 2019 Spring/Summer 2019 This Phase does not This Phase does not Winter 2019- Spring We are currently in apply to this project apply to this project 2020 Phase 2 Phase 1 - Problem identification • Townline Road between Taunton Rd. and Whitelaw Ave. requires rehabilitation/ reconstruction due to poor pavement condition. • Townline road is an arterial Type B two lane road with homes fronting on it, the volume and speed of traffic make turning left into and out of existing driveways less than ideal and can lead to traffic being backed-up while vehicles are turning • Drainage from Townline Road is un-controlled and generally untreated except for a portion of stormwater that flows through a portion of open ditch n zyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedcbaWTSRPOMHDCBA the west side of the road. • There are no existing sidewalks or Multi Use paths within the Study Area, while there are sidewalks from the adjacent development west of Townline Road that terminate at the Right-of-Way for Townline Rd. creating a safety concern for pedestrians and cyclists. Problem & Opportunity Statement The rehabilitation/reconstruction of Townline Road is being proposed to address the impact of growing traffic volumes, on-going pavement condition and operational deficiencies, drainage issues and safety concerns. Currently there are left turn lanes at Taunton Rd. and Whitelaw Ave. Road expansion to add a continuous centre left-turn lane is identified in Durham’s Transportation Master Plan however the proposed timeline is “Beyond 2031”. ‘The Region requires reconstruction/rehabilitation of Townline Road between Taunton Rd. and Whitelaw Ave. to address deteriorating pavement condition and other road deficiencies. Road rehabilitation provides an opportunity to improve the transportation network along this section of Townline Rd.. by providing safer ingress and egress to the cluster of properties fronting the road , this could include the addition of a two way left turn lane. Road expansion to add a centre left-turn lane is identified in Durham’s Transportation Master Plan as a “Beyond 2031” project, however, due to the poor pavement condition, safety concerns and other deficiencies along this section of Townline Road it was determined that now is a more efficient and 3 appropriate time to consider a solution regarding turning movements within this section of road.’
Phase 1 - Consultation Summary We sought input through public notice, direct mailing to key stakeholders, First Nations and the project website to learn about your concerns and potential solutions. We’ve learned to date: 1. Drainage is an ongoing concern for some residents. 2. Currently the road drainage is untreated, CLOCA would like to see the road drainage treated through stormwater management techniques prior to re- entering the nearby tributary to Harmony Creek. 3. There is a cluster of approximately 18 homes on the east side of Townline Road that require left turn movements to and from Townline Road, we have heard verbally that this turning movement feels unsafe and that traffic can become backed up when residents are making left turns into their driveways. 4. Durham District School Board has an interest as a landowner adjacent to the Study Area. 5. Pedestrians must use shoulders to walk along and cyclists must use the road as roadside pathways and sidewalks do not exist in the Study Area. 6. There is an interest from some First Nations Communities as the project may have potential to impact archeological resources Opportunities: 1. Consider a selection of alternative solutions to address the problem of road safety. 2. Consider drainage improvements to better redirect runoff from the road to a storm sewer or alternatively to a ditch on the west side of Townline Road or combination of the two including the possibility of constructing a storm sewer from Whitelaw Avenue into the existing Storm Water Management Facility along Beatrice St. 3. Consider the potential of providing a platform for a sidewalk or multi-use path on the west side of Townline Road to improve accessibility. 4. Consider road safety improvements by increasing the clearance between utility poles, guy wires and other physical structures and the travelled lanes to meet minimum TAC/ OPSD standards. 4
Phase 2 – Built Environment Compatibility with Municipal Land Use Objectives Durham Transportation Master Plan (2017) (TMP) Optimize Road Infrastructure & Operation Durham’s TMP provides guidance on managing congestion levels on roads through a proactive combination of capacity, design, and operational strategies that can reduce the impact of bottlenecks and discontinuities, improve safety for all road users, and be adaptive to climate change challenges. Opportunities for Townline Road between Taunton Rd. and Whitelaw Ave.: • Make better use of existing road capacity. • Continue to focus on road safety. • Support accommodating all road users when improving the road. 5
Phase 2 - Built Environment Compatibility with Municipal Land Use Objectives Regional Cycling Plan & TMP Durham is working towards shifting more short trips from cars to either foot or bike by collaborating with area municipalities to improve the connectivity, continuity, comfort, convenience and safety of walking and cycling routes. Residents will find it easier to move within, through and between neighbourhoods and will enjoy greater opportunity through improved access to daily destinations. “Cycling routes that improve area municipal connectivity, are key commuter routes, or enhance Regional cycling tourism will be prioritized.” Opportunities for improve walking & cycling in the study area include: 1. Improve walkability and cycling by closing the gap in sidewalk/ trail network by introducing/accommodating a Multi Use Path. 2. Accelerate implementation of the Regional Cycling Plan (RCP). 6
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