Memorandum

Development Services Department

Item: DS-19-224

Date: November 13, 2019 File: B-7000-0006

To: Chair and Members of Development Services Committee

From: Warren Munro, HBA, RPP, Commissioner Development Services Department

Re: Durham-Scarborough Project

1. Purpose

The purpose of this memo is to provide Development Services Committee with information on the proposed Bus Rapid Transit project that will expand the existing PULSE service along Highway 2 in Durham Region connecting downtown , Whitby, Ajax, Pickering and Scarborough.

2. Background

Metrolinx’s 2041 Regional Transportation Plan identified the Durham-Scarborough Bus Rapid Transit project as being required to meet the needs of the Greater and Hamilton Area (G.T.H.A.) in the near term. The project will provide approximately 36 kilometres of bus rapid transit that will connect Durham Region and the City of Toronto, enhancing intra-regional mobility and connecting residents and employment across both sides of the boundary. The Bus Rapid Transit Project will connect local and regionally significant areas including Scarborough Town Centre, University of Toronto Scarborough Campus, and the downtowns of Pickering, Ajax, Whitby and Oshawa.

The corridor is expected to grow by approximately 215,000 residents and 66,000 jobs by 2041. Higher capacity transit is needed to strengthen connections between communities and employment in Durham Region and the City of Toronto.

Bus Rapid Transit provides:

. Dedicated Lanes for buses, where feasible, resulting in shorter travel times and more reliable transit service. . Frequent Service with a bus every 5 minutes or less during peak hours. . Smart signals on Highway 2 that will adapt to support smoother traffic flow for all. . Better connections so that Toronto Transit Commission, , and GO Transit routes can use the dedicated lanes and share the same stops, making it easier to travel throughout the Region.

3. Status

In early 2019, in collaboration with Durham Region, Durham Region Transit, City of Toronto and the Toronto Transit Commission initiated the planning and design of this rapid transit corridor. 609 - 2 -

On June 5, 2019, Metrolinx held a Municipal Technical Advisory Group meeting with municipalities and stakeholders. City staff attended this meeting.

In June 2019, four Public Information Centre public meetings were held across Durham Region to introduce and provide more information about the Durham-Scarborough Bus Rapid Transit project. City staff attended the Public Information Centre public meeting held on June 12, 2019 where the information provided in Attachment 1 was presented.

A second Municipal Technical Advisory Group meeting was held on October 28, 2019. A preview of the information that will be presented to the public at the next round of public meetings in Durham Region was provided.

The second Public Information Centre public meeting in Oshawa will be held on November 19, 2019 and the schedule for all five (5) Public Information Centre public meetings is as follows:

. Monday, November 18, 2019, from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. and from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. in the City of Toronto at the University of Toronto Scarborough Campus; . Tuesday, November 19, 2019, from 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. in the City of Oshawa at City Hall in the Committee Room; . Tuesday, November 19, 2019, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Durham Region Headquarters; . Wednesday, November 20, 2019, from 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. in the City of Pickering at the Pickering Town Centre; and . Wednesday, November 20, 2019, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. in the Town of Ajax at St. George’s Anglican Church.

City staff are planning to attend the second Public Information Centre public meeting in Oshawa on November 19, 2019 and will report back to Development Services Committee to provide an update on the information presented. The Public Information Centre public meeting will be advertised by the City via the City’s social media.

4. Recommendation

It is recommended that DS-19-224 dated November 13, 2019 be received for information and that staff be directed to report back to Development Services Committee and Council following the November 19, 2019 Public Information Centre public meeting.

Anthony Ambra, P.Eng., Director Engineering Services

Warren Munro, HBA, RPP, Commissioner Development Services

WM/k Attachment – Public Meeting #1 Information 610 Attachment 1

611 What do you want to know? Look for these symbols and colours to find related content:

Project Information

Initial Business Case

Bus Rapid Transit

Technical Information

Environmental Studies

612 What is the Durham-Scarborough BRT? The Durham-Scarborough Bus Rapid Transit project Distribution of trips originating in the BRT corridor (3-hour AM Peak Trip Destinations (All Modes)). proposes approximately 36 kilometres of dedicated transit infrastructure, connecting downtown Oshawa, Whitby, Ajax, Pickering and Scarborough. This project builds on the existing PULSE service and will provide more dedicated transit infrastructure along Highway 2 and Ellesmere Road to connect into Scarborough Centre.

Problem and Opportunity Statement: The Highway 2 Bus Rapid Transit corridor is a crucial transportation corridor connecting people through the Region of Durham and Scarborough. The corridor has Source: 2011 Transportation Tomorrow Survey, Durham-Scarborough BRT Initial Business Case 2018 varied traffic, land use conditions and constraints. Tell us your thoughts on the Problem With rapid growth in the past decade and an and Opportunity Statement by filling expectation for this growth to continue into the future, out your comment sheet. demand for travel along the corridor will continue to increase and a higher capacity form of transit will be needed to link communities and employment on both sides of the Toronto-Durham boundary.

613 Durham-Scarborough Bus Rapid Transit Corridor

614 Study Area

615 Study Area

Existing curbside BRT lanes

Existing curbside Existing curbside BRT lanes BRT lanes

Existing and under construction BRT lanes

616 Study Area

617 Project Timeline

Committed funding

618 What is an Initial Initial Business Case Business Case? Findings

As required by Metrolinx’s Business Case This corridor is expected to host Policy for capital infrastructure investments approximately 215,000 more residents above $50 million, an Initial Business Case and 66,000 more jobs in 2041. Higher was developed for the Durham- capacity transit is needed to link Scarborough BRT project. communities and employment. The Initial Business Case sets out the Investing in rapid transit will generate rationale for why an investment should be significant benefits to the Region, implemented to solve a problem or providing quality transit services to access address an opportunity. It analyzes options destinations across Durham Region and for addressing that problem or opportunity the City of Toronto. and provides a recommendation to further refine in the next business case, the The Durham-Scarborough BRT Initial Preliminary Design Business Case. Business Case is available on the Metrolinx website. Business Cases provide evidence to decision-makers, stakeholders and the public as a crucial part of transparent and evidence-based decision making processes.

619 Initial Business Case Recommended Option

620 Initial Business Case Bus routing options Identified Highway 2 and Ellesmere Road Recommended Option as the optimal transit route. The recommended hybrid option is a mix of centre- median lanes, curbside lanes and transit priority Bus service options measures, as shown on the map on the previous board. Recommended buses every 5 minutes in Durham Region, and a bus every 2 Transit priority measures will be designed through minutes in Scarborough. specific “pinch points” to maintain reliability of BRT service along the corridor. Stop spacing options Transitions between the different right-of-way Recommended average stop options will be evaluated to determine the solution spacing of 700 to 800 m. that best provides transit priority while maintaining traffic flow.

The map is the starting point for more detailed Right-of-way options analysis that will be completed as part of this project. Recommended a hybrid option, The Preliminary Design Business Case will refine with a mix of centre-median lanes, curbside lanes, and transit this recommended option, clarify the scope and cost priority measures. of the project, and is the next step towards procurement and construction funding for the project.

621 What is Bus Rapid Transit?

Dedicated lanes for buses, where feasible, Dedicated lanes for buses will be needed in the future. resulting in shorter travel times and more reliable transit service.

Frequent service with a bus every 5 minutes or less during peak hours.

Smart signals on Highway 2 are already installed and will adapt to support smoother traffic flow for all commuters – on buses, in personal vehicles, and on bicycles.

Better connections: TTC, DRT and GO Transit routes can use the dedicated lanes and share the same stops, making it easier Source: www.vivanext.com VIVA Rapidway in York Region. to travel throughout the region.

Reliable service with buses that are separated from general traffic in most areas.

622 In general, dedicated transit lanes are BRT Lane Options preferred, where feasible: 9 Reliable Centre-median bus lanes High quality and most • Dedicated transit lanes in the centre of the road. reliable Rapid Transit service. 9 • Stops in the centre of the Wise Investment road at signalized Multiple service providers can use intersections. the lanes, supporting improved • Centre raised island restricts network integration. left-turns into and out of 9 unsignalized side streets and Safe driveways. Fewer conflict points between turning traffic and transit. Curbside bus lanes • Dedicated transit lanes on 9 Walkable the outside of the road. More opportunities for • Stops on the side of the road streetscaping in between Rapid at signalized intersections. Transit stops. 9 Future proof Dedicated lanes are more flexible to future uses such as LRT.

623 BRT Vehicles BRT Stops

Vehicles are accessible Rendering of proposed with low-floor entry and centre median Bus Rapid visual and audio Transit stop in London, guidance. .

PULSE bus

Vehicles are high Bus Rapid Transit capacity carrying up to curbside stop in 90 people. Brampton, Ontario.

Articulated TTC bus Source: NGT news

Vehicles run primarily in Bus Rapid Transit dedicated lanes and curbside stop in Durham have priority through Region. intersections to maintain service reliability. Articulated VIVA bus

Transit agencies are Rendering of centre researching alternative median Bus Rapid energy systems. Transit stop in Ottawa, Ontario.

624 Accessing Centre Median Stops

1 Jane arrives at her stop and pushes 2 …and waits to cross the street. 3 When the walk sign goes on, Jane 4 Jane gets to the stop platform and the “push to walk” button. crosses one direction of traffic to get to walks toward the boarding area. the westbound platform – her direction of travel.

5 She checks the bus arrival 6 Great! That’s enough time for her to 7 Jane waits for her bus on the bench 8 Shortly after, her bus arrives, and information and sees that her bus will pay her fare using her in the platform shelter. she’s on her way. arrive in 3 minutes. before she boards the bus.

625 Study Process

626 What is Preliminary Design?

During preliminary design, the following elements will be decided: • Number and locations of stops • Transitions between transit lane options • Intersection layouts and lane configurations • Location and type of sidewalks, bike lanes and streetscaping Bike lane with parking Cycle track with physical barrier • Bridge and structural design

The following roadway elements will be reviewed: • Driveways and property impacts • Traffic and parking operations and impacts • Utility relocations, where needed • Tree planting opportunities Street trees in planters Street trees in grates

627 Pinch Points along the Corridor There are a number of constrained locations on the corridor, Ellesmere Road – East of Military Trail which will require more detailed design and analysis: • 4-lane, undivided roadway • Ellesmere Road – east of Military Trail • Predominantly a residential area with local side street • Pickering Village (in Ajax) and driveway accesses

• Downtown Whitby • Limited capacity for widening

• Downtown Oshawa • Focus on options to improve transit priority • CN and CP bridge locations

This study will focus on options to improve and maintain Military Trail transit reliability. The design and operation of the transition points will focus on maintaining reliability of BRT service through these sections, while minimizing impacts to the character of these neighbourhoods and providing transitions that are easily understood by all road users. Tell us your thoughts on the pinch points and route ends by filling out your comment sheet or by adding sticky notes to the map.

628 Pinch Points along the Corridor Pickering Village (in Ajax) Downtown Whitby • Historic downtown with narrow right-of-way • Downtown with narrow right-of-way between between Elizabeth Street and Rotherglen Road. Frances St. and Garden St. • Transition to dedicated lanes will happen • Transition to dedicated lanes will happen beyond the limits of the Village. beyond the limits of the downtown area. • No on-street parking that can be converted. • The current on-street parking in downtown Whitby will be considered in the analysis. • Potential solutions identified in the IBC included transit queue jump lanes and traffic signal • Potential solutions identified in the IBC included optimization. transit queue jump lanes and traffic signal optimization.

Elizabeth St. Rotherglen Rd. Frances St. Garden St.

629 Pinch Points along the Corridor Downtown Oshawa CN and CP bridge locations • The IBC recommended BRT operation through • CN Pickering crosses over Oshawa on the one-way couplet. the roadway on a single- • Potential options identified in the IBC included track bridge. curbside bus lanes in the same direction as, or • An Environmental opposite to, general traffic. Assessment has been completed to construct a new bridge to accommodatee Simcoe St. dedicated transit lanes and Thorton St. bike lanes.

• CP Whitby bridge crosses over the roadway on a two- track bridge (with only one operational track).

630 West and East Ends of the Corridor West End of the corridor is at Scarborough East End of the corridor is near Simcoe Street in Centre: Oshawa: • Buses will serve the new Scarborough Centre • Connections to future rapid transit on Simcoe Street Station. are critical for good service and a good transfer to the route serving Durham College / Ontario Tech • How the buses loop into and out of the station is University. being developed jointly with the Scarborough Subway team. • Stop placement, traffic control, transfers and bus movements will be reviewed to find the optimal • Stop placement, traffic control, transfers and bus solution. movements will be reviewed to find the optimal solution. West End East End

Tell us your thoughts on the pinch points and route ends by filling out your comment sheet or by adding sticky notes to the map.

631 Draft Evaluation Criteria • Connectivity with other transit services Increase Transit • Quality and reliability of transit service The following draft criteria will be used to evaluate the Ridership, Quality and Access • Accessibility to transit design options. The criteria consider all aspects of the • Safety and security environment and align with the typical criteria used by the City of Toronto and Durham Region. Each criteria will be evaluated based on a set of • Pedestrian and cycling networks Support A Sustainable • Transportation system capacity Transportation System indicators. This evaluation will form the basis of the • Goods movement recommendations for the project.

• Noise, vibration and air quality Connect Major Facilities Compatible with • Community character and Support Lands • Catchment potential Adjacent Communities • Area business viability Designated for • Transit-oriented development • Development incentives Development

Protect Historical, • Existing and future infrastructure investments • Archaeological resources • Capital costs Cultural and • Cultural heritage resources Provide a Wise Archaeological Investment • Operation and maintenance costs • Protection of public open spaces Resources • Land acquisition costs

• Surface water and groundwater Protect, Improve and • Aquatic and terrestrial habitat Restore the Natural Tell us your thoughts on the evaluation Environment • Flora and Fauna criteria by filling out your comment sheet. • Ecological linkages

632 Construction and Deliverability

• Construction is planned to occur in phases. Areas with existing congestion should be prioritized. • The existing curbside lanes already in place through Pickering and Ajax have been constructed to minimize additional construction costs. • Construction timing will depend on funding, property acquisition, permits and approvals. • The corridor design will consider potential future conversion to LRT.

633 Environmental Studies To support the environmental assessment process, which The following studies will be undertaken to assess all will follow the Transit Project Assessment Process, a aspects of the environment: number of background studies will be completed to document the existing conditions in the corridor and Natural Environment Studies assess any potential impacts the BRT project could have. • Natural Environment Study The studies will also document the potential mitigation • Tree Inventory measures that could be applied to reduce or eliminate any potential impacts. • Noise and Vibration Assessment • Air Quality Assessment Work is just beginning on these background studies, and field teams will be in the corridor throughout 2019 collecting and assembling the data. Social Environment Studies • Stage 1 Archaeological Assessment Data collection work is underway, gathering background information from a variety of sources including the • Cultural Heritage Resource Assessment Conservation Authorities, various government agencies • Socio-economic and Land Use Study and existing databases. Previous studies in the corridor are also being reviewed. Geotechnical Studies The findings will be presented at future public meetings. • Geotechnical Assessment Mitigation measures proposed through the studies will be • Phase 1 Environmental Site Assessment used by the design team to review and improve the design. Technical studies will form part of the Environmental Project Report that will be posted for public review.

634 Providing Feedback Next Steps Thank you for attending. We appreciate your feedback. • All information from today’s meeting will be available on the Please let us know your thoughts by: project website. • The project team will continue to work on technical studies. • Completing a comment sheet and • The next round of public meetings are planned for fall 2019. dropping it in a comment box. • Talking to a project team member. Stay up to date by: • Emailing or mailing your comment sheet to the project team, at [email protected] • Signing-up for the project mailing list: [email protected] or the address listed below. • Visiting the project website: www.metrolinxengage.com/dsbrt • Filling out the online survey on the project website. Information collected will be used in accordance with the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. With the Kristin Demasi David Hopper exception of personal information, all comments will become part Project Manager Consultant Project Manager of the public record. Metrolinx Parsons 97 Front Street West (416) 352-8625 Toronto, ON M5J 1E6 (416) 202-3723

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