re: highway 407 east completion environmental...

October 23, 2008 DS-08-474

The Regional RE: HIGHWAY 407 EAST COMPLETION ENVIRONMENTAL

Municipality ASSESSMENT - STATUS UPDATE AND REGIONAL of Durham COMMENTS ON PRELIMINARY DESIGN, FILE: E03-407-03

Clerk's Department STANDING COMMITTEE CORRESPONDENCE #SC-2008-126

605 ROSSLAND RD. E. PO BOX 623 WHlTBY ON L1 N 6A3 CANADA 905-668-771 1 1-800-372-1 102 Fax: 905-668-9963 E-mail: clerksQregion.durham.on.ca

www.region.durham.on.ca

Pat M. Madill, A.M.C.T., CMM I Regional Clerk

FROM-MARTHA A.' PETTIT, D E P U N CLERK, TOWN OF WHITBY, DATED JUNE 12, 2008 (2008-J-34) OUR FILE: E03-04

Honourable Minister, please be advised the Planning and Works Committees of Regional Council considered the above matter and at a meeting held on October 8, 2008 Council adopted the following recommendations of the Committee, as amended:

"a) THAT the Highway 407 Environmental Assessment Project Team be requested to collaborate with Regional and City of Oshawa staff to determine an effective and practical design for the Thornton Road interchange;

b) THAT the Highway 407 Environmental Assessment Project Team continue to investigate, in collaboration with Regional and Town of Whitby staff, the opportunity for an interchange at Cochrane Street;

c) THAT the Regional and Municipal staff from Clarington continue to investigate in collab~ration with the 407 project team, the continuation of Middle Road through the 407;

d) THAT in the design of the West Durham Link, the Highway 407 Environmental Assessment Project Team not preclude the possible future connection of the 407 Transitway to the Lakeshore East GO facility at Lake Ridge Road;

e) THAT GO Transit and Metrolinx be requested to consider the need and feasibility of a transit transfer hub at the junction of the 407 Transitway to the Lakeshore East GO facility, south of the Highway 401 at Lake Ridge Road'."

f) THAT the Project Team include an additional road crossing at Garrard Road;

8 100% Post Consumer

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October 23,2008 Highway 407 East EA

g) THAT the Ministry of Transportation re-start the Highway 401 Environmental Assessment as soon as possible, so that the widening of Highway 401 between Salem Road and the West Durham Link, along with the construction of the Lake Ridge Road Interchange, is integrated and initiated with the construction of the West Durham Link by 2013;

h) THAT the Project Team be requested to give the Region the opportunity to review and comment on the 201 3 'opening day' scenario;

i) THAT the Project Team ensure that the design of the interchange at the Highway 407 Mainlinemest Durham Link protects for the provision of a freeway or arterial road extension in the future, as preliminary design work progresses;

j) THAT a copy of Joint Report #2008-J-34 be provided to the Ontario Ministry of Transportation as the Region's detailed comments on the ongoing Highway 407 East Completion Environmental Assessment; and

k) THAT a copy of Joint Report #2008-J-34 be forwarded to the Area Municipalities and Conservation Authorities."

As directed, please find enclosed a copy of Report #2008-J-34.

Pat M.. Madill, AMCT, CMM I Regional Clerk

PMMIlf

Encl.

c: M. deRond, Clerk, Town of Ajax T. Gettinby, Clerk, Township of Brock P. Barrie, Clerk, Municipality of Clarington S. Kranc, Clerk, City of Oshawa D. Wilcox, Clerk, City of Pickering K. Coates, Clerk, Township of Scugog B Leroux, Clerk, Township of Uxbridge P. Jones, Clerk, Town of Whitby R. Powell, Chief Administrative Officer, Central Lake Ontario

Conservation Authority L. Laliberte, General Manager, Ganaraska Region Conservation

Authority

7 1 5 1

The Regional Municipality of Durham To: The Planning and Works Committees From: Commissioners of Planning and Works Report No.: 2008-J-34 Date: September 30,2008

SUBJECT:

Highway 407 East Completion Environmental Assessment - Status Update and Regional Comments on Preliminary Design, File: E03407-03

Standing Committee Correspondence No. 2008-126 from Martha A. Pettit, Deputy Clerk, Town of Whitby, dated June 12, 2008

RECOMMENDATIONS:

a) THAT the Highway 407 Environmental Assessment Project Team be requested to collaborate with Regional and City of Oshawa staff to determine an effective and practical design for the Thornton Road interchange;

b) THAT the Project Team include an additional road crossing at Garrard Road;

c) THAT the Ministry of Transportation re-start the Highway 401 Environmental Assessment as soon as possible, so that the widening of Highway 401 between Salem Road and the West Durham Link, along with the construction of the Lake Road Interchange, is integrated and initiated with the construction of the West Durham Link by 2013;

THAT the Project Team be requested to give the Region the opportunity to review and comment on the 201 3 "opening day" scenario;

THAT the Project Team ensure that the design of the interchange at the Highway 407 Mainlinewest Durham Link protects for the provision of a freeway or arterial road extension in the future, as preliminary design work progresses;

9 THAT a copy of Joint Report No. 2008-J-34 be provided to the Ontario Ministry of Transportation as the Region's detailed comments on the ongoing Highway 407 East Completion Environmental Assessment; and

Report No.: 2008-J-34 Page No. 2

S) THAT a copy of Joint Report No. 2008-J-34 be forwarded to the area municipalities and Conservation Authorities.

REPORT:

PURPOSE

?.I The purpose of this report is to:

Update Joint Committee on the status of the Highway 407 East Completion Environmental Assessment (EA) study; Set the stage for a presentation by MTO on preliminary design elements pertaining to the highway corridor, presented by the Ontario Ministry of Transportation (MTO) at Public Information Centres (PICs) held in JuneIJuly 2008; Identify any updates on the preliminary design elements since the PlCs were held; and Provide comments from a Regional perspective at this stage of the EA study.

2. BACKGROUND AND STATUS UPDATE

2.1 In February 2005, the Ontario Ministry of Transportation (MTO) initiated the Highway 407 East Completion Environmental Assessment (EA) study, with the objective of:

i) identifying transportation problems and opportunities in Durham;

ii) Developing and assessing transportation planning alternatives to address the problems and opportunities identified;

iii) Recommending a Preferred Transportation Planning Alternative;

iv) Developing alternative methods (i.e. route alternatives) for implementing the Preferred Transportation Planning Alternative;

v) Identifying a Preferred Alternative Method (i.e. route alternative);

vi) Completing a Preliminary Design for the preferred alternative method (i.e. route alternative); and

vii) Preparing an EA report for Ministry of Environment (MOE) approval.


2.2 In February 2007, Joint Report No. 2007-J-2 summarized the screening process developed by the Project ~eam' to select a short-list of route alternatives, marking the completion of steps i) through iv).

2.3 In June/July 2007, the third round of Public Information Centres (PICs) was held to present the details of the Preferred Alternative Method, which led to the completion of step v). The Preferred Alternative Method included the selection of the Technically Recommended Route (TRR) from the short-list of route alternatives, and supporting network elements such as interchange locations and realignments of nearby roads to accommodate the corridor.

2.4 In November 2007, Joint Report No. 2007-J-50 presented the Region's comments on the Preferred Alternative Method. Through its deliberations, Joint Committee and Regional Council:

Endorsed the Technically Recommended Route in principle, as the basis to advance and complete the Highway 407 EA; Requested the Project Team on a go-foward basis to: o Confirm the adequacy of the proposed interchanges and their

c~nfigurations on the Technically Recommended Route; o Provide confirmation that the proposed interchange locations at the

Westney Road and Enfield Road do not preclude the realignments of these roads;

o Provide confirmation that the Highway 401lLake Ridge Road interchange, and the widening and realignment of Highway 401 between Salem Road and the proposed West Durham Link, is being included as part of the EA design and construction; and

o Continue to work closely with Regional and area municipal staff to implement the Technically Recommended Route; and

o Have due regard for the Region's standards on arterial roads, in determining the final configuration of the interchanges;

That MTO be urged to "stay the course" on the revised schedule for the EA, and completion of construction from Brock Road to Highway 3511 15 and the two freeway links in 201 3; and

' The Highway 407 EA Project Team is comprised of M i 0 staff and a consultant team led by Totten Sims Hubicki (TSH) Associates.


That the Project Team examine the need and feasibility of constructing an interim Brooklin by-pass on the Highway 407 Mainline corridor.

Responses to these recommendations were prepared by the Project Team, and are included in Attachment 1. Outstanding items are addressed in this Report.

Since Fall 2007, the Project Team has proceeded to objective vi) of the EA study (refer to section 2.1). Refinements to the route alignment were made to further avoid and/or mitigate environmental impacts, based on stakeholder and agency input, and preliminary design work has been initiated to develop design components of the corridor in greater detail. Regional Planning and Works staff have attended meetings with the Project Team, providing input as the preliminary design work has progressed.

In JuneIJuly 2008, the fourth round of PlCs was held in Pickering, Ajax, Whitby, Clarington and Peterborough, to present the route refinements and preliminary design details to the Technically Recommended Route. As the EA moves forward, the preliminary design for the Highway 487 Mainline, West Durham and East Durham links, and transitway corridor is being referred to as the Technically Preferred Route.

Staff from MTO and their Project Team will be in attendance at the September Nth Joint Committee meeting to present preliminary design elements of the Technically Preferred Route, which include the following:

Refinements to the Technically Recommended Route alignment presented in June 2007;

e Additional andlor revised property requirements; Interchange locations and configurations; Road crossing treatments (i.e., over, under, or closures) and road realignments associated with the corridor; Location and approximate size of stormwater ponds, maintenance yards, and other infrastructure to support the highway corridor;

a Location of transitway corridor, transitway stations and transit maintenance yards;


Right-of-way cross sections, including provisions for High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lanes; and Potential mitigation measures (e.g. landscaping, noise attenuation, etc.).

3. COMMENTS

Technicallv Preferred Route

3.1 The Technically Preferred Route (TPR) incorporates relatively minor shifts in the alignment of the corridor from the Technically Recommended Route in several sections. In addition to these realignments, the Project Team generated and evaluated design alternatives at several locations where more than one option was feasible for interchange configurations, road crossings, and/road realignments. At each location, a preferred design solution was selected from two or more design options, with the aim to optimize transportation engineering considerations and minimize environmental impacts. Attachment 2 illustrates the location of the TPR corridor, including land requirements for transitway stations, transit maintenance yards, highway maintenance yards, and commercial vehicle inspection facilities.

3.2 The TPR has also refined the ultimate lane requirements to be submitted for EA approval for different sections of the corridor, as follows:

a 407 Mainline - 10 lanes from Brock Road to Harmony Road; 407 Mainline - 8 lanes from Harmony Road to the East Durham Link; 407 Mainline - 6 lanes from the East Durham Link to Highway 35/115; West Durham Link - 6 lanes; and East Durham Link - 6 lanes.

3.3 Each of the above ultimate lane configurations accommodates a High Occupancy Vehicle (HOW lane in each direction of travel, and the transitway on one side of the highway corridor. The Project Team has also developed typical, ultimate cross-section design elements such as closed medians (i.e. a concrete barrier and storm sewers) and open medians (i.e. grass with ditches). As was the case for the Technically Recommended Route, the TPR proposes a 170 metre right-of-way, consisting of 110 metres for the highway portion and 60 metres for the transitway.

Report No.: 2008-J-34 Paae No. 6

Interchange Locations and Confisurations

3.4 The most significant changes to proposed interchange locations and/or configurations for the TPR from those previously shown as part of the Technically Recommended Route are on the Highway 407 Mainline, as follows:

The Lake Ridge Road partial interchange (Pickeringwhitby boundary), which only permitted an eastbound off-ramp and westbound on-ramp, has been reconfigured as a full interchange (i.e., allowing all vehicle movements on and off the highway); The Cochrane Street partial interchange (Whitby), which only permitted a eastbound on-ramp and westbound off-ramp, has been removed with the provision of a full interchange at Lake Ridge Road nearby; and The Bethesda Road full interchange (Clarington) has been relocated to Darlington-Clarke Townline.

The Project Team noted that these modifications provide better connectivity to the arterial road network, improve traffic operations, and reduce natural, social and environmental impacts. The changes are consistent with the interchanges designated in the Regional Official Plan.

3.5 Since the PlCs were held in JuneNuly 2008, a full interchange has been added at Thornton Road, as requested by the City of Oshawa. An interchange at this location is also designated in the Regional Official Plan. The Project Team has confirmed through further travel demand and traffic forecasting analysis that an interchange at Thornton Road will provide relief to the Simcoe Street interchange and provide additional connectivity to Highway 407 from the surrounding arterial road network.

3.6 The Project Team is currently working on the preliminary design of the Thornton Road interchange, which is challenging given significant environmental constraints on the east side of Thornton Road and the location of Winchester Road crossing Highway 407 nearby. It is recommended that the Project Team be requested to collaborate with Regional and City of Oshawa staff to determine an effective and practical design for the Thornton Road interchange.

Report No.: 2008-5-34 Page No. 7

3.7 Joint Report No. 2007-J-50 recommended that the Project Team confirm that interchanges on the Highway 407 Mainline at Westney Road (Pickering) and Enfield Road (Courtice) do not preclude the planned realignments of these roads, as contemplated in the Regional Official Plan. The Project Team has since confirmed that the planned easterly shift of Westney Road to by-pass the hamlet of Greenwood can be integrated into the design of the Highway 407 interchange. The Region will determine an alignment for the by-pass through a currently programmed EA study for Westney Road. The Westney Road EA study will integrate the design for the by-pass (if justified through the EA process) with detailed design work to be conducted by the Project Team in 2009-201 1, following submission of the Highway 407 EA. In terms of the Enfield Road realignments, the Project Team has demonstrated that there is ample opportunity to integrate a future design into the Highway 407 interchange at Enfield Road.

Road Crossing Treatments and Realignments

3.8 Attachment 3 shows the proposed road crossing treatments (i.e., over the highway, under the highway, or closed at the highway) and road realignments required to accommodate the TPR. Detailed preiiminary design plans showing horizontal and vertical design elements were presented at the PlCs and to Regional staff at a number of Project Team meetings.

3.9 Since the PlCs were held, road crossings of the Highway 407 Mainline at Sideline 14 and Kinsale Road (both in Pickering) were added, based on comments from area municipal staff and consideration of land use designations proposed under the Region's Recommended Growth Option in the Growing Durham study.

3.10 The Project Team has indicated that most road crossings of Highway 407 and the freeway links, including two new crossings proposed at Sideline 14 and Kinsale Road, are not justified from a capacity perspective. Rather, these road crossings provide additional network connectivity for transit, goods movement and other travel modes. In light of the Regional Official Plan, the Region's recommended Growth Option and as requested by the Town of Whitby, an additional road crossing should also be considered at Garrard Road for the following reasons:


Designated as a Type 'C' Arterial through the Whitby urban area; Provides access to undeveloped Employment Area lands in northeast Whitby and northwest Oshawa; and Acts as an alternate north-south arterial to Thickson Road, which is expected to be a very busy interchange, and Thornton Road across the Highway 407 Mainline.

3.1 1 In consideration of the above, it is recommended that the Project Team include an additional road crossing at Garrard Road.

Implementation Considerations

3.12 With respect to the Highway 401lLake Ridge Road interchange, Joint Report No. 2007-J-50 recommended that the Project Team provide confirmation that the interchange, and the associated widening and realignment of Highway 401 between Salem Road and the West Durham Link, is being included as part of the Highway 407 EA design and construction. The Project Team has since confirmed that the interchange and Highway 401 realignment are included as part of the Highway 407 EA design, but has not confirmed whether the iake Ridge RoadfHighway 401 interchange will be construdeel at the same time as the West Durham Link. The Project Team also advised Regional staff that the widening of Highway 401 east of Salem Road to at least the West Durham Link is not part of the Highway 407 EA and would be a separate undertaking.

3.13 In 2001, MTO initiated an EA for the Highway 401/Lake Ridge Road interchange and wideninglrealignment of Highway 401 between Salem Road and Brock Street, but tabled it pending the determination of the alignment of the West Durham Link. The widening of Highway 401 easterly to at least the West Durham Link would provide capacity relief to this congested section of Highway 401. Coordination of construction would also result in less disruption to the public, simplify construction staging and eliminate throw- away costs. Therefore, it is recommended that MTO re-start the Highway 401 EA as soon as possible, so that the widening of Highway 401 between Salem Road and the West Durham Link, along with the construction of the Lake Road Interchange, is integrated and initiated with the construction of the West Durham Link by 2013.


3.14 The Project Team is currently building on its preliminary travel demand and traffic forecasting analysis, to 2031. Detailed traffic forecasts are currently being prepared by the Project Team in order to further examine operational and design considerations for the interchanges and the surrounding road network.

3.15 The Project Team is also developing a 201 3 "opening day" scenario, which will address what will be actually constructed to address initial travel demands. It is recommended that the Project Team be requested to give the Region the opportunity to review and comment on this "opening day" scenario. This will give the Region the opportunity to consider coordination with Regional needs and initiatives such as future road widenings, intersection improvements, transit service and connections across the highway corridor.

3.16 Detailed travel demand forecasts will be used, in part, to help the Project Team determine whether the construction of an interim Brooklin by-pass is feasible for implementation, prior to the opening of Highway 407. Joint Report No. 2007-J-50 recommended that the Project Team examine the need and feasibility for an interim by-pass of Brooklin on the Highway 407 Mainline corridor. Both the Region and the Town of Whitby are awaiting a decision from MTO on this recommendation.

3.17 The Town of Whitby has also requested that the feasibility sf a permanent east-west arterial by-pass of Brooklin, parallel to Highway 407 be given further investigation. In this regard, and as a precursor to the Winchester Road EA study currently programmed by the Region, TSH is preparing detailed traffic forecasts to assist the Region in evaluating the need for future capacity considerations through the Brooklin area in the vicinity of Highway 407. This analysis is expected to be received later this fall.

3.18 Further to a Town of Whitby request, the Project Team has indicated that the configuration of the Highway 407 Mainline and West Durham Link interchange would not preclude the possible northerly extension of a future freeway or arterial road. Long term growth is planned to occur west of Brooklin and in northeast Pickering under the Region's Recommended Growth Option in the Growing Durham study, in close proximity to the interchange. As such, it is recommended that the Project Team ensure


that the design of the interchange at the Highway 407 Mainlinemest Durham Link protects for the provision of a freeway or arterial road extension in the future, as preliminary design work progresses.

NEXT STEPS

4.1 At certain road crossings over or under Highway 407 and the freeway links, the Project Team is considering the provision of sidewalks and/or cycling facilities. Regional staff are providing input to the Project Team, noting where bridge locations should be wider to accommodate sidewalks in urban conditions, both on "opening day" or longer term, and room for a cycling facility coinciding with the Draft Regional Cycling Network.

4.2 A fifth round of PlCs is being planned for NovemberIDecember 2008, where the preliminary design will be finalized. Regional staff will continue to provide input to the EA through representation on the Municipal Technical Advisory Group (MTAG) and Project Team meetings. Following these PICs, staff will report back to Committee, likely in January 2009, on any outstanding design elements of the TPR of Regional concern.

4.3 The Project Team is continuing with the following tasks related to the EA and implementation:

Contacting property owners impacted by the route refinements and design elements of the TPR that were not previously impacted under the Technically Recommended Route; Undertaking further work on the Community Value Plan, as input to design elements to mitigate and minimize environmental impacts while improve aesthetics; Meeting with stakeholders including the Region and area municipalities at key stages of the TPR design work; and Conducting an impact assessment for the preliminary design of the TPR, towards completing the EA submission in Spring 2009.


5. I This report provides the Region's comments (highlighted in bold) on the Technically Preferred Route (TPR) design work conducted to date. It is recommended that a copy of Joint Report No. 2007 4-50 be provided to MTO as the Region's comments on the ongoing Highway 407 East Completion EA, and be forwarded to the area municipalities and Conservation Authorities.

5.2 Regional Planning and Works staff will continue to work with the Project Team and provide input on the TPR in terms of ramp configurations at interchanges, traffic operations on adjacent arterial road intersections, impacts on Regional road expansion and design, and connectivity of the surrounding road network to the highway. Staff will also consult and coordinate on this work with the area municipalities.

A.L. GeorgiefF, M.C.I.P., R.P.P. Commissioner of Planning

w

Clifford Curtis, P. Eng., MBA Commissioner of Works

RECQMMENDED FOR PRESENTATiON TO COMMI-TTEE

Garry H. Cubitt, M.S.W. Chief Administrative Officer

Attachments: 1. Project Team Response Letter to Report 2007-J-50 2. Technically Preferred Route 3. Road Crossing Treatments and Road Realignments

Attachment I

Tonm Sims Hubicki Associates 300 Wner Street Whitby, Ontarioz Cannda LIN 9J2 I9D5) 668-9363 Fax: (905) 66S-0221 . .

1: [email protected] wn!.~~.tsh.c~~ engineers architects p l a n n e r s

May 12,2008

Ms. Patricia M. Madill, AMCT, CMM I Regional Clerk Clerks Department Region of Durham 605 Rossland Road Whitby, ON L1 N 6A3

Dear Ms. Madill:

Re: 407 East Environmental Assessment (EA) Techni,cally Recommended Route (June 2007) Region of Durham, Council Meeting November 21,2007 File: E03-407-02 (2007 4-50) Your File No. E03

Thank you for the opportunity to make a presentation to Regional Council on November 21, 2007 and for forwarding us the Council Report endorsed at the Region of Durham's Council Meeting which occurred November 21,2007. The comments within the Planning and Works Department report regarding 407 East Environmental Assessment (EA) are apljreciated and will assist us as we proceed with this important EA study.

Further to receiving the Region's comments, the 407 EA Project Team met with a number of Regionai Staff on February 7, 2008. Having gained greater clarification and detail regarding the comments provided in File E03-407-02 at this meeting, your specific comments and the Project Team responses have been documented within the attached table.

We look forward to Regional staffs continued involvement in the 407 East Environmental Assessment Study. If you have any further questions or comments, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Cc: Dan Remollino, MTO Dadene Proudfoot, MTO Dean Kemper, MTO R i Venneri, MTO

Sabina Merey, MT0 Ian Dobrindt, GLL Gillian Thompson, Emplans 'kI!.~Georgleff, Region of,Qufiam, ..-- C. Cur&, Regbn of Durham B. Denney, Toronto end Region Conservation Authority D.G. Wood, Lake Sirncoe Region Conservation Authorit' I. MacNab, Kawartha Conservatlon Authority L.Laberte, Ganaraska Conservation Authority R.Powell, Central Lake Ontario Conservatlon Aulhority P. Jones, Town of WhHby 8. Leroux, Township of Uxbridge K. Coates, Township of Scugog D.A Wilcox, CHy of Picketing S. Kranc, City of Oshawa P.L. Barria, Munidpality of Clarington G.S. Graham, Township of Brock M. DeRond, Town of Ajax

Region of Durham Comment Confirm the adequacy of the proposed interchanges and their configurations on the Technically Recommended Route by providing a detailed traffic analysis, and where appropriate, protect for additional interchanges to support the long-term growth objectives of the Region.

Provide confirmation that the proposed locations for the Westney Road and Enfield Road interchanges with the Highway 407 mainline do not preclude the realignments of these roads, as contemplated in the Regional Official Plan.

Provide confirmation that the interchange of Lake Ridge Road with Highway 401, and the widening and realignment of Highway 401 between Salem Road and the proposed West Durham Link, is being included as part of the Highway 407 East Completion Environmental Assessment, design and construction.

.

Project Team Response As part of the next phase of work the Project Team is undertaking more detailed traffic analysis to reconfirm interchange locations and determine crossing road treatments. Interchange locations presented at PIC #3 were discussed with staff of the Region and its constituent municipalities. Further to the February 7" meeting the Project Team will ensure that greater information and rationalization, including traffic analysis, is provided to support interchange location 1 frequency. We recognize the desire to have interchanges at more frequent spacing to support long-term growth objectives. However, this desire must be balanced with other factors such as safety and operations, environmental and technical constraints and Greenbelt considerations. Where possible, we will attempt not to preclude future interchanges, subject to appropriate approvals, if required to address long-term growth. . The proposed locations for the Westney Road and Enfield Road interchanges do not preclude the realignments of these local roads. However, the proposed locations for the 407 interchanges may limit the realignment alternatives that can be examined by the Region. The Highway 401 interchange with Lake Ridge Road and the realignment of Highway 401 associated with the West Durham Link Interchange, including any required auxiliary lanes, ?re nafl of the Technically Recommended Houte for the 407 East EA. Preliminary design has shown that technically, the Lake Ridge Road interchange with Highway 401 can be irnpiemented with the West Durham Link, as shown by the Technically Recommended Route, subject to detailed traffic analysis. During preliminary design, a value engineering exercise will be undertaken for the Highway 401 I West Durham Link I Lake Ridge Road Interchanges. Regional and local municipal staff will be invited to participate in this exercise.

Region of Durham Comment

Continue to work closely with Regional and Area Municipal staff to detail road realignments and other treatments, such as overpasses, underpasses, road closures and service roads, that are necessary to implement the Technically Recommended Route; and

Have due regard for the Region's standards (e.g. minimum spacing between signalized intersections) on arterial roads, as per the Region's Arterial Corridor Guidelines, in determining the final configuration for the interchanges;

THAT the Ontario Ministry of Transportation be urged to "stay the course" on the revised schedule for the Highway 407 East Completion Environmental Assessment, with a view to completing construction in 2013.

Project Team Response The staging for the implementation of the highway is yet to be determined. Staging requirements will be considered later in the study process. Implementation of the Lake Ridge Road interchange will also be determined later. It is possible the interchange will be included as part of the 407 implementation or will stand alone from the implementation of the West Durham Link. The widening of Highway 401 beyond that required to support the connection of the West Durham Link and Lake Ridge Road Interchanges is not part of the current EA Study. Alternative design concepts for crossing road treatments (i.e. interchanges, grade separations, closures) as well as local- road realignment alternatives are being developed for review with Regional and Area municipal staff as well as emergency services and local stakeholders. As discussed at the February 7" meeting, the Project Team is aware of the concerns surrounding local road networks and treatments associated with crossing of the 407 TRR and will work closely with local and regional staff to fully understand these areas of concern and develop suitable treatment options. The Region's standards as well as provincial standards will be regarded during the refinements of the Technically Recommended Route and its associated interchanges, including location and design. As noted at the February 7" meeting with Regional staff, there will be several instances where the separation between the 407 and the local road network may not conform with the Region's Guidelines. In these instances, rationale as to why the standards have not been met will be provided and will be supported by traffic operations analysis1 considerations demonstrating how the interchange configuration, spacing etc will work without compromising the safety and operation of either facility. The implementation of 407 is a priority for the province and a schedule has been established to support the targeted date of 2013 for completion.

Region of Durham Comment THAT the Project Team examine the need and feasibility of constructing an interim Brooklin by-pass on the proposed conidor for the Highway 407 mainline.

Project Team Response The Project Team also met with staff from Oshawa, Whitby and the Region on February 7'h to discuss this item specifically. As discussed at this meeting;the Project Team is undertaking a microsimulation modeling exercise to determine the need and feasibility of providing an interim bypass for the Town of Brooklin. When the results of the modeling exercise and a review of the feasibility have been completed, the Project Team will again meet with regional and local municipal staff to review the results.

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