Provincial Niagara to GTA Corridor Study Community Meeting John Taylor Councillor Ward 3 Blair Lancaster Councillor Ward 6 Gary Carr Halton Regional Chair Rick Goldring Mayor City of Burlington December 13, 2010
Provincial Niagara to GTA Corridor Study Community Meeting Introductions Agenda Purpose of Meeting Mid-Peninsula Highway EA - Ministry of Transportation (MTO) 2003 Draft Niagara to GTA Transp. Development Strategy - Ministry of Transportation (MTO) 2010 Draft Decision Regional Official Plan Amendment 38 - Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing (MMAH) 2010 Next Steps Comments Feedback
Purpose of the Meeting To Let You Know: About the Province s s proposal for a new highway corridor in Burlington And How you can provide your comments
Background 2001-2003 Mid-Peninsula Environmental Assessment June 2001 Province proposes a highway to connect Fort Erie with the Greater Toronto Area. May 2003 Province Releases Terms of Reference for Environmental Assessment (EA) of new highway June 2003 City and Region requested Judicial Review of the proposed EA because it did not fully consider alternatives June 27,2003 Province stopped the EA and agreed to undertake a full Environmental Assessment. Route shown is below No.1 Side Road to Walkers Line and Hwy 407
Background June 2006 Niagara to GTA Corridor EA Study June 2006 Province commenced a Study to address existing and future transportation capacity deficiencies in the corridor Study Vision to facilitate and enable Compact, vibrant and complete communities A prosperous and competitive economy A protected environment Corridor on map broader than Mid-Pen and shifted to the north
Niagara to GTA Corridor EA Study Two Phase Approach Phase 1: Underway Now (Completion Early 2011) Develop Preferred Transportation Development Strategy Phase 2: (Starts After Phase 1) Refine the Study Area Assess Alternative Transportation Methods Select the Preferred Transportation Method(s) Develop Concept Designs
Background Niagara to GTA Corridor Study Study Timeline EA Phase 2
Niagara to GTA Draft Transportation Development Strategy Ministry of Transportation June 2010 The draft Transportation Development Strategy building block approach. 1. Optimize Existing Network 2. Add / Expand Non-Road Infrastructure 3. Widen Existing Roads 4. Planning for New Transportation Corridors
Niagara to GTA Draft Transportation Development Strategy Ministry of Transportation June 2010 Draft Strategy includes three separate areas with recommendation to: Continue corridor planning to provide protection for a future corridor between Highway 407 and Highway 403 in Hamilton (This is a long term need) Hamilton to Niagara section not identified as a need within the 20 year study horizon. Need being addressed through QEW upgrades. Commence route planning for new corridor between Highway 406 and QEW to link Welland and Fort Erie Crossing Area
Regional Official Plan Amendment No 38 (ROPA 38) Sustainable Halton December 16, 2009 Regional Council approved ROPA 38 Halton Region s response to the Province s Growth Plan Places to Grow The Province is the approval authority for ROPA 38. October 27, 2010 The Province issued proposed modifications to ROPA 38.
Regional Official Plan Amendment No 38 (ROPA 38) Map 3 Functional Plan of Major Transportation Facilities Before and After Province s s modifications identify proposed Niagara to GTA provincial transportation corridor Route Moved further to the North
City / Region Next Steps Niagara to GTA Transportation Development Strategy Draft Report to be issued by MTO for review December 2010/ January 2011 Comments to be provide to MTO within 90 days of release Staff to provide comments February 2011 Reports to City and Regional Council March 2011 Response to MTO March 2011
Region Next Steps Regional Official Plan Amendment No 38 (ROPA 38) The Ministry has indicated a second draft decision will be issued Once the Region has received all of the proposed modifications, staff will report to Regional Council. Report to Council is anticipated to be early in 2011.
City / Region Next Steps Exact timing of reports to City and Regional Councils is dependent on the release of provincial documents Sign in and provide your e-mail e address Meeting participants, stakeholder groups will be advised of Council meeting dates Meeting participants will also be advised of future meetings of Provincial EA
Comments and Feedback Complete Comment Cards provided today Sign Petition for Submission to Province Visit the project website: www.niagara-gta.com gta.com Niagara to GTA project toll free number: 1-8661 866-890-6441 Email: project_team@niagara-gta.com gta.com Contact Provincial Ministers and MPPs as identified on information sheet Select a Spokesperson for delegations to City and Region
Thank you for attending! Your Comments and Feedback are important!