Report No. 6 of the Planning and Economic Development Committee Regional Council Meeting of September 24, 2009

2 RICHMOND HILL GO RAIL LINE EXTENSION

The Planning and Economic Development Committee recommends the adoption of the recommendations contained in the following report dated August 26, 2009, from the Commissioner of Planning and Development Services.

1. RECOMMENDATIONS

It is recommended that: 1. Regional Council endorse the recommendations of the Richmond Hill Layover Facility Environmental Assessment (EA) and Preliminary Design study.

2. The Regional Clerk forward a copy of this report to the Clerks of the Towns of Richmond Hill, Aurora, and Whitchurch-Stouffville, and GO Transit and the Ministry of Transportation.

2. PURPOSE

This report seeks Regional Council endorsement of GO Transit’s recommendations on the Richmond Hill Layover Facility Environmental Assessment (EA) and Preliminary Design study.

3. BACKGROUND

Richmond Hill GO Rail Line has experienced significant growth and requires capacity improvements

Between 1996 and 2001, growth within the Richmond Hill GO Transit Rail Corridor has been significant with the average ridership growing about 10% per year. From 1991 to 2006, the Town of Richmond Hill’s population alone more than doubled and it is expected that ridership will continue to increase as York Region’s projected population contributes to the need for expanded GO Rail service. Various Environmental Assessment (EA) and planning studies have been conducted between 1993 and 2002 to examine the potential for GO service expansion.

In 2007, the Province announced MoveOntario 2020 which provided an action plan to build new and improved rapid transit in the GTA and Hamilton area. The extension of the Richmond Hill GO line northerly to Aurora Road was included in the MoveOntario 2020 plan.

Report No. 6 of the Planning and Economic Development Committee Regional Council Meeting of September 24, 2009

GO Transit identified need for a new layover facility and GO train stations

Currently GO Transit provides four trains in the morning and five trains in the afternoon/evening between Richmond Hill and . These trains are “dead headed” from the Richmond Hill GO station to the Willowbrook Rail Maintenance Facility in Mimico (near Lakeshore on ’s west end). Dead heading means the movement of empty trains to and from remote overnight storage yards to the station at the end of the rail corridor.

GO Transit initiated the Class Environmental Assessment study to consider alternatives and suitable sites for a layover facility to eliminate the dead heading of trains along the Richmond Hill GO rail corridor. This would eliminate wasted fuel, labour, equipment costs, and limited track time. National (CN) owns the rail tracks and GO must negotiate the use of track time with them. A layover facility would reduce overall train movements, operating costs, and allow additional GO train service expansion along the corridor.

In addition, the existing Richmond Hill GO station has reached capacity and commuters have expressed concerns with the amount of available parking spaces and congestion around the station. There is insufficient space and facilities at the Richmond Hill GO station for service expansion. As a result, the study needed to consider the construction of new GO stations to provide service to more riders within and beyond Richmond Hill.

New GO Rail facilities would improve transit service levels and system connectivity

The is an essential transit service connecting major origins and destinations such as the Richmond Hill Centre, the future subway extension at Langstaff station and Union Station in downtown Toronto. The new Richmond Hill GO Line facilities will provide service improvements through an increase in service area coverage and will result in increased GO Transit ridership on the Richmond Hill Line and in York Region overall. In essence, more York Region residents will have access to downstream GO, Viva/YRT and TTC services through the extended Richmond Hill Line, thus improving the attractiveness of the overall transit system. These improvements to the Line would put additional pressures on downstream GO system capacity and may lead to the advancement of downstream improvements including a grade separation at the Doncaster Diamond ( and John Street vicinity).

Public and agency consultation was carried out as part of the study

In 2007, GO Transit contacted a list of agencies and invited public participation in the study. Agencies on their contact list included Provincial, Federal and Municipal agencies, First Nations, and key stakeholders. Meetings with York Region staff were held during 2007 and 2008, and comments were provided to GO Transit representatives.

Report No. 6 of the Planning and Economic Development Committee Regional Council Meeting of September 24, 2009

Study Area Corridor extended further north to Aurora Road

The original study area corridor extended from Richmond Hill GO station to Bethesda Sideroad. During the consultation process Regional staff suggested that the study area be extended north to Bloomington Road to be consistent with recommendations in the 2002 Transportation Master Plan. In addition to this, the MoveOntario 2020 plan also indicated the GO Richmond Hill line extension to Aurora Road to move people efficiently through York Region. As a result, the study area corridor was extended to Aurora Road in Whitchurch-Stouffville as shown in Council Attachment 1.

4. ANALYSIS AND OPTIONS

A new GO Train layover facility recommended at Bethesda Road

The Environmental Study Report (ESR) provided some detailed analysis of the preliminary design options considered for the train layover site. The design layout for each site would include provisions for six tracks to store up to six 12-car trains overnight. The yard would be used for storage of trains overnight with minimal maintenance or works on the trains. Alternative locations considered for the train layover facility included:

• Bethesda Road Layover site – situated on the south side of the road and on the east side of the CN Rail line. The option would include an additional CN track leading to and from the layover facility with an access road using an existing unpaved private access off Bethesda Road. • Bloomington Road Layover site – situated on the north side of Bloomington Road and on the east side of the CN Rail line. Road access to the site is contemplated through a widening of the existing bridge over Bloomington Road and connecting with a proposed GO station. This option also includes an additional CN track leading to and from the layover facility. • Aurora Road Layover site – situated on the south side of Aurora Road and on the east side of the CN Rail line. The access road would be approximately 800m from Aurora Road with connection to a train station concept. An additional CN track is also required leading to and from the layover facility.

Locations were assessed using evaluation criteria including natural environment, socio- economic, cultural, and technical requirements. Each of the facility options require the addition of a CN track for new services and increased train activity.

Based on the documented assessment, the preferred alternative for the train layover facility was the Bethesda Road site. The preferred site offered several advantages in comparison to the other sites with the most notable difference being that it had the least net effects on the natural environment.

Report No. 6 of the Planning and Economic Development Committee Regional Council Meeting of September 24, 2009

Four locations were assessed for GO Train stations

To provide additional service north of the existing Richmond Hill GO station, four alternative station locations were considered. Each of the location options include the provision for an additional future CN track leading to and from the stations. Locations considered were as follows: • Stouffville Road GO station site – situated on the north side of Stouffville Road and on the east side of the CN line. The station would consist of a station platform, building, bus loop, “kiss & ride”, and up to 850 parking spaces (with opportunities for expansion). Access is via Stouffville Road connecting with a slightly realigned Gormley Road East, and new signalization at the intersection. • Bloomington Road GO station site – located on the south side of Bloomington Road and on the east side of the CN line. The station would consist of a station platform, building, bus loop, “kiss & ride”, storm water management pond, and up to 700 parking spaces (with opportunities for expansion and a carpool lot). A signalized access is provided from Bloomington Road via a proposed grade separated access road over the Highway 404 west-south ramp. The Highway 404 west-south ramp will need to be relocated. • Vandorf Sideroad GO station site – located on the north side of Vandorf Sideroad and on the east side of the CN line. The station would consist of a station platform, building, bus loop, “kiss & ride”, and up to 1,070 parking spaces (with opportunities for expansion). Access would be provided from Vandorf Sideroad and the addition of a CN track leading to and from the station involves the construction of a new bridge over Vandorf Sideroad. • Aurora Road GO station site – located on the south side of Aurora Road and on the east side of the CN line. The station would consist of a station platform, building, bus loop, “kiss & ride”, and up to 760 parking spaces (with opportunities for expansion). Access would be provided via Aurora Road with an access road extending approximately 300m to the south.

York Region’s Transportation Master Plan recommends three new stations

The draft Transportation Master Plan Update has proposed new GO Rail stations at Stouffville Road, Bloomington Road, and Aurora Road as part of an extended Richmond Hill GO Line and of a revised network plan.

Preferred station locations identified at Stouffville Road and Bloomington Road

Based on the evaluation of the preliminary design alternatives, the study recommended the Stouffville Road and Bloomington Road sites for new GO stations. The study also indicated that the Stouffville Road station will be built first and when it reaches capacity, which is anticipated in the near future, the Bloomington Road station will be built next to facilitate the expansion of the GO services further north.

Report No. 6 of the Planning and Economic Development Committee Regional Council Meeting of September 24, 2009

Vandorf Sideroad and Aurora Road stations can be revisited in the future

Both the Vandorf Sideroad and Aurora Road locations had more significant environmental constraints and impacts. The constraints included the need for road infrastructure leading to the sites and negative impacts on the natural heritage system, and resulted in the two northern sites not being recommended at this time. The study indicated that both the Vandorf Sideroad and Aurora Road sites can be revisited when the Stouffville Road and Bloomington Road stations approach capacity.

GO Transit has filed the Environmental Study Report (ESR) for a 45 day public review period

As part of GO Transit’s Class EA process which meets the requirements of the Class EA Act, the ESR has been filed for a minimum 45 day public review period. In addition to complying with the Ontario EA Act, the project may also comply with the requirements of the Canadian EA Act (CEAA). The ESR indicates that compliance with the CEAA has not been confirmed at this time but an EA pursuant to the Canadian EA Act would be completed prior to construction if deemed necessary during the detailed design stage.

At this stage, a Part II Order request may be made in writing to the Minister of Environment if a person or party believes that serious environmental concerns exist after reviewing the ESR and consulting with GO Transit staff. The request may be made within the minimum 45 day review period and GO may elect to extend the review period for the purpose of addressing the concerns.

Implementation schedule anticipates construction completion in 2011

Based on the implementation schedule information contained in the ESR, it is anticipated that the consultant assignment and detailed design stage would occur in 2009/2010, while the tender and construction stage would occur in 2010/2011.

This schedule is subject to permits and approvals from various federal, provincial, and/or municipal agencies as well as utility and conservation authorities. Other field investigations will also need to be conducted during the detail design stage.

Next steps for GO Transit include property acquisition and mitigative measures on environmental effects due to the recommendations

Each of the proposed sites will require partial acquisition of both public and private properties: • For the Bethesda Road layover site, property is required from the Town of Richmond Hill to construct part of the facility, tracks, and road access. The remaining part of the facility and access requires property from one private property owner.

Report No. 6 of the Planning and Economic Development Committee Regional Council Meeting of September 24, 2009

• Development of the Stouffville Road GO station would require property from one (1) private property owner while the slight realignment of Gormley Road East will infringe on a second private property. Direct access to the station from Stouffville Road would require a portion of public land within York Region’s road right-of-way. • The Bloomington station would require a portion of one (1) public property belonging to the Ministry of Transportation. The station access road would impact on the Highway 404 west-south ramp necessitating a relocation of the ramp.

The ESR also provided mitigative measures and monitoring to address the environmental effects for the proposed Bethesda Road layout facility and two new GO stations prior to and during construction. The proposed mitigative measures covered issues pertaining to water resources (including groundwater and surface water), and aquatic species and habitat.

Staff comments on the ESR relate to clarification and further details

Based on a review of the ESR document, Regional staff have the following comments which will be sent to GO Transit representatives as part of the 45 day review period: • Both the Vandorf and Aurora Stations were dropped from further consideration, however, clarification and additional detail should be provided on the EA process concerning any future expansion of the GO Rail Line to the Vandorf Sideroad and/or Aurora Road sites when the recommended Stouffville Road and Bloomington Road stations reach capacity. The process should include additional details on developing alternative station parking lot sites and demand analysis for the Vandorf and Aurora stations. • Additional GO train corridor projects downstream of the proposed Richmond Hill facilities (e.g., Doncaster Diamond improvements) should be identified in the document to indicate how GO Transit will be addressing downstream line capacity issues. • York Region should be included in the list of agencies to be consulted prior to construction. • The ESR indicates that the Stouffville Road GO station would be built first and when it reaches capacity, the Bloomington Road station would be built thereafter. However, to optimize construction schedules and impacts, it is suggested that both stations be built simultaneously or sequenced so that the Bloomington station is built immediately after completion of the Stouffville station. The Bloomington station will be effective in intercepting traffic on Highway 404 to switch to GO Transit. • The initial parking lot capacity planned at the proposed Bloomington Road GO station is 700 spaces while the Stouffville Road GO station is 850 spaces. Given the location of the Bloomington Road station and its terminus function, it is possible that this station will require more parking spaces than the Stouffville station. The initial parking space provisions should be reviewed with further details on the demand analysis provided in the ESR.

Report No. 6 of the Planning and Economic Development Committee Regional Council Meeting of September 24, 2009

Other GO Transit rail projects and improvements are planned for the York Region area

The following rail projects are also planned by GO Transit with benefits to the York Region area: • Expansion of the Richmond Hill rail corridor by building a grade separation to eliminate the Doncaster Diamond (southeast of Bayview Avenue and John Street in Thornhill). An EA is expected to begin in 2012/2013. • Service expansion to the Barrie rail corridor to accommodate all-day, two-way service. • Stouffville rail corridor to offer all-day, two-way service between Union and Lincolnville stations with upgraded infrastructure with an EA expected to begin in 2010/2011. • Extending service from Lincolnville to Uxbridge by building new end-of-the-line facility to store trains in Uxbridge. • New rail corridors are envisioned from Bolton to Union Station passing through the western portion of Vaughan, and from Locust Hill and Seaton to midtown Toronto passing through the eastern portion of Markham. EAs are expected to be in 2011/2012.

5. FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS

This report does not have any direct financial implications.

6. LOCAL MUNICIPAL IMPACT

The recommended GO Rail line extension in the EA study will improve GO Rail service to Richmond Hill and Aurora. It addresses the concerns raised by existing commuters and relieves congestion in the area of the Richmond Hill GO station. The new stations and improved GO service will accommodate future local and regional growth which is expected to increase within the corridor. It also achieves the goals of sustainable transportation by making the transit service more efficient, cost effective, and reliable.

7. CONCLUSION

The Richmond Hill Layover Facility Environmental Assessment (EA) and Preliminary Design study has recommended a layover facility at Bethesda Road and two new GO stations located at Stouffville Road and Bloomington Road. GO Transit has filed an Environmental Assessment Report (ESR) for a minimum 45 day review period. Regional staff recommends that Council endorse the recommendations of the GO Transit study. The extension of the Richmond Hill GO Rail line, new facilities and station

Report No. 6 of the Planning and Economic Development Committee Regional Council Meeting of September 24, 2009

improvements will move the Region further towards achieving the goals of sustainable transportation.

For more information on this report, please contact Richard Hui, Program Manager, Transportation Planning, at 905-830-4444, Ext. 1578, or Loy Cheah, Manager, Transportation Planning at Ext. 5024.

The Senior Management Group has reviewed this report.

(The attachment referred to in this clause is attached to this report).

COUNCIL ATTACHMENT 1

Study Area Corridor

Source: Richmond Hill Layover Facility Environmental Assessment (EA) And Preliminary Design (August 2009)