Town of Innisfil Town of Innisfil Transportation Master Plan Final Report Innisfil, ON August 2013 August 2013 Town of Innisfil Town of Innisfil Transportation Master Plan Final Report Innisfil, ON August 2013 HDR Corporation 100 York Blvd., Suite 300 Richmond Hill, ON L4B 1J8 Tel: (905) 882-4100 Fax: (905) 882-1557 www.hdrinc.com Project # 6937 August 2013 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY A. Introduction and Study Purpose In June 2012, the Town of Innisfil initiated its first Transportation Master Plan (TMP) to address existing and future auto, transit, cycling and pedestrian traffic needs within Innisfil. The TMP provides a long term guide and strategy for the Town to manage planned population and employment growth by 2031 which takes into account the January 2012 Amendment to the Provincial Growth Plan. A sustainable multi-modal transportation strategy is required to achieve this goal and will result in: . better travel choices for residents without access to cars . better connections between communities within Innisfil and with its neighbouring municipalities . improved mobility for youth and seniors . improved accessibility to Town and County facilities and services . reduced reliance of autos for local trips within the Town . an efficient and effective transportation network This Transportation Master Plan Study has also addressed and integrated the following study components identified by the Town for inclusion in the Strategy: Pedestrian and Cycling Network Plan Identification of Transit Opportunities for Innisfil Road Network Improvements Traffic Operations Review of Intersections Preparation of “Made in Innisfil” Traffic Policies and Manuals Financial Planning and Input to Development Charges Update B. Study Approach and Consultation This TMP study has been carried out through an open public process under the Municipal Class Environmental Assessment Guidelines. The following summarizes the public announcements and opportunities for public and agency input and participation in this study: . Public notice of study commencement in June 2012 . A public opinion survey to understand the transportation needs and concerns of the Town residents and was available both online and at community events between June 2012 and June 2013 . References to the study through the Town of Innisfil web site as well as a project specific website at http://www.innisfilTMP.ca . Three public open houses held at the Innisfil Town Hall in September 2012, November 2012, and May 2013 . Four Council Meetings held in council chambers in June and September 2012 and April and May 2013 . Two Technical Agencies Committee (TAC) meetings held in August and November 2012 August 2013 i C. The Current Transportation System The Town of Innisfil’s transportation network includes provincial, county and local roads, sidewalks and trails, and commuter transit service via GO rail and GO bus. Although some elements of a multi-modal transportation network are present, they are limited and scattered throughout the Town. Increased connectivity in the transportation system (including trails and sidewalks) within and between settlement areas is needed to encourage non-auto trips. Residents have also identified a desire for local transit service within the Town and better inter-regional service as the only regional commuter service is provided by GO Transit. In addition to the above, a number of local transportation issues (such as speeding, intersection congestion and queuing, and increased traffic around schools and neighbourhoods) were identified as part of the background research and existing conditions documentation. These issues were gathered from the TMP online survey, field investigations, traffic analysis, and discussions with the Town, Council, and the public. A key issues map was prepared to share with the public, TAC, Town staff and Council who attended the open houses and meetings. Several inter-regional and provincial issues are not addressed in the TMP, namely, the existing and future capacity deficiencies on Highway 400 and Highway 89. The MTO is currently undertaking the Simcoe Area Multi-Modal Transportation Strategy to address the potential provincial roads and highway improvements in this area, including widening of Highway 400 and the Highway 89 / Cookstown Bypass. D. Future Growth The Town of Innisfil is projected to grow significantly from about 32,000 people today to about 65,000 by 2031, and this presents the Town with a set of issues and challenges, but also opportunities, for the future. The population projection includes significant planned developments in the short term including Friday Harbour and the Sleeping Lion lands in the south part of Alcona. Also affecting Innisfil is the City of Barrie’s plans for the Barrie Annexed Lands, projected to grow from greenfield today to 41,000 population and 7,000 employment by 2021. The Town’s various settlement areas, Friday Harbour, the Sleeping Lion lands and the Barrie Annexed Lands are illustrated in Exhibit A. August 2013 ii (Source: Innisfil Town-Wide Water and Wastewater Master Servicing Plan) Exhibit A: Future Growth Areas E. A Transportation Vision for Innisfil To develop a recommended strategy, the TMP prepared a Problem Statement which summarizes the issues facing the town: Today, almost all travel is made by car. Traffic has grown steadily by 2-4% per year over the past 10 years resulting in traffic congestion during peak periods; while only 14% of all Innisfil work trips stay within Innisfil. There needs to be a greater emphasis on non-auto travel choices such as cycling, walking and transit particularly for seniors, students, and those without access to a vehicle. August 2013 iii Communities within Innisfil are not well connected and the existing sidewalk and trail network is inadequate to accommodate future needs to travel within residential neighbourhoods, and to access Town facilities and services. By 2031, people and jobs in the Town are expected to double. Without a balanced transportation strategy to handle the growth in travel, Innisfil residents will face town-wide traffic congestion and will not be able to attain its vision and goals. To address these issues, a transportation vision for Innisfil was developed to guide the development of alternative strategies and to ultimately select the recommended strategy: Innisfil’s transportation network connects people and communities, fosters healthy living, and operates efficiently across the Town as an environmentally and financially sustainable system. F. Alternative Planning Strategies Alternative planning strategies were developed to address the Problem Statement and to satisfy Phase 2 the Environmental Assessment process. Four planning alternatives were identified: 1. Do-Nothing – do not build any improvements 2. Business As Usual – build only currently planned road improvements by MTO and County 3. Balanced Approach – invest in Town road improvements but also build more trails, bike lanes, sidewalks and implement Travel Demand Management strategies (i.e. encourage carpools, working from home, etc.) 4. Aggressive Approach – Alternative 3 plus investment in local transit network and service Alternative 3 and Alternative 4 are recommended to be carried forward. These Alternatives provide the Town with sustainable travel choices to meet the Transportation Vision and to address the Problem Statement. G. Recommended Transportation Strategy Following input from the public open houses, TAC meetings, Council workshop meeting, and based on the evaluation of alternatives and all feedback and comments received from Town staff, a recommended multi-modal transportation strategy was developed for the Town. Active Transportation Network – Improving Connections An incremental approach to improving active transportation facilities is recommended, which may include providing interim low-cost active transportation facilities (e.g., a paved shoulder) before multi-use (shared pedestrian and cycling) trails, sidewalks, or on-road bike lanes can be accommodated along with road reconstruction or urbanization. Opportunities to expand August 2013 iv the active transportation network through development applications and planned municipal capital works projects should be explored by the Town. It is also recommended for the Town to participate in the coordination of the development and implementation of proposed trails along the County’s key corridors in the Town (such as on CR21 - Innisfil Beach Road and CR 4 - Yonge Street). The recommended ultimate active transportation network is illustrated conceptually in Exhibit B and will tie together all communities within the Town of Innisfil. Exhibit B: Proposed Active Transportation Connections August 2013 v Transit Opportunities for Innisfil Transit is a key part of the Transportation Vision to connect people and communities as part of a sustainable system. With the proposed Innisfil GO Station, the future intensification of Alcona and Innisfil Heights, and an aging population in need of public transportation to access services, the time is right for the Town to consider local transit opportunities. To demonstrate the opportunities available for the Town, a conceptual phased approach to implementing local transit service was developed. These opportunities build on the recommendations of the Simcoe County Transit Plan and can be further explored in a separate Transit Strategy or Transit Master Plan Study for the Town. Exhibit C illustrates a preliminary loop service concept which provides a strong connection to the City