Southeast Arterial Road (From Simcoe Street/ Luxury Avenue to Holland Street East/ Bridge Street) and

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1 Municipal Class Environmental Assessments (EA) Southeast Arterial Road (From Simcoe Street/ Luxury Avenue to Holland Street East/ Bridge Street) and Southwest Arterial Road (From 5th Line/ Highway 400 to 6th Line/ 10th Side Road) Public Information Centre April 15, 2009

2 Welcome - Please Sign In Purpose of today s Information Centre is to: Describe the proposed projects Present the Town s problem statement and present options to alleviate the problem Receive public input/ feedback for the Town/ Consulting Engineers to respond appropriately Identify next steps in the process Please... Ask us any questions you may have about the project or the scope of study Fill out a comment sheet and leave it with us or take it home and return it later (by April 24, 2009) to the Town or LEA Consulting

3 Problem Statement An update to the Town of Bradford West Gwillimbury s Official Plan identifies new arterial roadways to accommodate current and future travel demands. The Southeast and Southwest Arterial Roadways are two of these proposed new arterial roadways. The Town is therefore considering options for solving the problem of accommodating the increased travel demands which will result from the expected growth in and around the Town in the future specifically the travel from south Bradford to both Holland Street East and County Road 88 West. These Class Environmental Assessments (Class EAs) will study the problem and identify any opportunities which may arise from the findings in the study area. In addition, these Class EAs will consider alternatives that may benefit the larger community of Bradford.

4 Study Areas

5 Environmental Assessment Process WE ARE HERE

6 Bradford West Gwillimbury Map *Location of the Southeast and Southwest Arterial roads is conceptual only

7 Study Background For Southeast Arterial Road Town of Bradford West Gwillimbury Official Plan (OP), 2002 Transportation Master Plan, 2006 Properties along Holland Street between Toronto Street and Dissette Street are designated as a commercial core area. A policy of the Official Plan is to redirect through traffic to maintain the functionality of the commercial core area and to make the core area more pedestrian-friendly. Downtown Traffic Congestion and Delay Review Study, 2005 Residents south of Holland Street travel along Centre Street to bypass the Holland Street/Barrie Street/Simcoe Street intersection. Feasibility of formalizing the current route should be evaluated while protecting the neighbourhood area. Transportation Master Plan, 2006 Simcoe Road, south of Luxury Avenue, is to be widened to four lanes.with the anticipated high level of congestion at the Holland Street/ Barrie Street/Simcoe Street intersection, a by-pass for traffic traveling from and to the east is recommended. This by-pass, which is referred to as the Southeast Arterial Road, has been incorporated in Official Plan Amendment 17.

8 Study Background For Southwest Arterial Road Town of Bradford West Gwillimbury Official Plan (OP), 2002 By 2026, the population is forecast to increase to 47,800, double the 2001population. Of the forecast population of 2026, 38,800 would reside in the urban area. Although not shown in the Official Plan, the Town forecasts that employment could increase to about 15, 300 jobs. Roadway Network Optimization Opportunity Study, 2003 Transportation Planning Assessment Primary Roads and Freeways The urban area is currently dependent on one road, County Road 88, which provides connections to Highway 400 to the west and Highway 11 to the east. With the anticipated population and employment, County Road 88 would be too congested. To alleviate future congestion and to provide better connections to the urban growth area, a new interchange at Highway 400 is recommended. Transportation Master Plan, 2006 The recommendations of this study have been incorporated in Official Plan Amendment 17 and include: Construction of a new interchange at Highway 400 and 5 th Line to serve increasing demands to and from the south of the Town. A connection between the new interchange and the urban growth area, which is referred to as the Southwest Arterial Road.

9 Study Evaluation Criteria

10 Evaluation of Alternative Solutions to the Problem

11 Next Steps Evaluate alternatives based on available information by April 30, 2009 Select preferred solution by May 30, 2009 If new road is a preferred solution, generate and evaluate alternative alignments by July 07, 2009 Identify environmental impacts (natural, social, and economic) and develop mitigating measures August 25, 2009 Hold PIC # 2 on September 22, 2009 Finalise Environmental Study Reports by November 23, 2009 and placement of ESR on the Public Record for a 30 day review period Comments received from this PIC will be considered along with those received from public and agencies and will be incorporated into the Study Process

12 Your On-Going Involvement is Important to Us The Town and the Consulting Engineers welcome comments from the public during the EA process, on Southwest Arterial and Southeast Arterial Road options, either at this PIC or through correspondence for incorporation into the study process. Comment sheets are available and should be submitted to the address provided. Please provide your comments by April 24, Contact information is provided in the handout Please ensure you have signed in, and Thank You for attending the PIC!!

13 APRIL 15, 2009 SOUTH EAST ARTERIAL ROAD

14 BRIDGE ST. STUDY AREA SIMCOE RD. Study Area Southeast Arterial Road BARRIE ST. HOLLAND ST.

15 Bradford west Gwillimbury Map Southeast Arterial Road *Location of the Southeast Arterial roads is conceptual only

16 Natural Heritage - Existing Conditions Findings Southeast Arterial Road Natural Heritage Factor Vegetation and Vegetation Communities Southeast Arterial Road Study Area There are two vegetation communities in the study area: cultural meadow and deciduous forest. 62 plant species have been recorded in the study limits, to be updated in the spring. To date, no rare, threatened, or endangered plant species have been identified. Fish and Fish Habitat Located within the West Holland River Watershed. The channel of the Holland Marsh Drain is a significant watercourse located within the study limits. The overall quality of the channel for fish habitat is poor and highly degraded. The Holland Marsh Provincially Significant Wetland is located outside of the study limits. Wildlife and Wildlife Habitat 58 wildlife species have been recorded within the study limits, based on secondary sources and field investigations. None of the wildlife species identified are regulated under the Species at Risk Act or the Endangered Species Act Some species of wildlife are afforded protection under the Migratory Birds Convention Act or Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act. The Holland Marsh Environmentally Sensitive Area is located within the study limits.

17 Land Use - Existing Conditions Findings Southeast Arterial Road Land Use Factor Southeast Arterial Road Study Area Residential Land Uses Most of the study area is comprised of single family residential dwellings located in residential subdivisions. No residential businesses or residential farms are found within the study area. Businesses/ Commercial/ Industrial Land Uses Businesses in the study area are concentrated along Holland Street and Bridge Street. 58 retail and office businesses are located in the study area. Bradford Co-op Storage is considered part of the agricultural community infrastructure, since it sells fertilizer and greenhouse products. The Bradford Valley Long Term Care Centre is located at the south end of the study area. Community/ Recreational/ Institutional Land Uses Bradford and District Memorial Community Centre and the Royal Canadian Legion. The Cericola soccer field, Bradford Curling Club and Taylor Park. The Bradford GO Station. Agricultural Land Uses According to the Canadian Land Inventory, most of the study area contains prime agricultural lands. The Holland Marsh is designated as specialty crop area, and contains fruit and vegetable agricultural operations. The primary farm in this area of the Holland Marsh is Walter Bak Farms Limited. Greenbelt Plan Conformity The lands generally east of Morris Road are designated as Specialty Crop Area in the Greenbelt Plan.

18 APRIL 15, 2009 SOUTH WEST ARTERIAL ROAD

19 5 TH LINE 6 TH LINE HOLLAND ST. (COUNTY RD. 88) STUDY AREA Study Area Southwest Arterial Road HWY 400

20 Bradford west Gwillimbury Map Southwest Arterial Roadway *Location of the Southwest Arterial roads is conceptual only

21 Natural Heritage - Existing Conditions Findings Southwest Arterial Road N atural H eritage Factor Vegetation and Vegetation Communities Southwest Arterial Road Study Area Cultural meadow is the dominant vegetation community. There is also a meadow marsh community. 54 plant species were recorded in the study limits, to be updated in the spring. To date, no rare, threatened or endangered plant species have been identified. Fish and Fish Habitat Located within the West Holland River Watershed. One significant watercourse is located within the study area, Fraser Creek. This watercourse is classified as a warmwater system and may provide fish habitat. Three wetlands are located within the study area. Wildlife and Wildlife Habitat 60 wildlife species have been recorded within the study limits, based on secondary sources and field investigations. None of the wildlife species identified are regulated under the Species at Risk Act or the Endangered Species Act Some species of wildlife are afforded protection under the Migratory Birds Convention Act or Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act. No Areas of Natural and Scientific Interest or Provincially Significant Wetlands are located within the study area.

22 Land Use - Existing Conditions Findings Southwest Arterial Road Land U se Factor Southwest Arterial Road Study Area Residential Land Uses There are approximately 57 residences located within/directly adjacent to the study area, comprising 40 residences, 14 residential farms, one residential business, one residence that appears abandoned and one abandoned residential farm. Businesses/ Commercial/ Industrial Land Uses The Petro Canada Station and Neighbours Fresh Drive thru, and Grand Central Fernbrook Homes Sales Centre are located near the intersection of County Road 88 and Sideroad 10. One residential business, Middleton Dental Hygiene, is located just south of the Sideroad 10 and Line 5 intersection. Community/ Recreational/ Institutional Land Uses The Presbyterian Scotch Settlement Church and Presbyterian Church (erected in 1869). The Scotch Settlement Arboretum. Agricultural Land Uses According to the Canada Land Inventory, most of the study area contains prime agricultural lands. 14 farming operations are located within the study limits, including holstein, grain and other types of agricultural operations. Greenbelt Plan Conformity The lands at the south east corner of the intersection of Sideroad 10 and Line 5 are designated as Protected Countryside in the Greenbelt Plan.