Transportation Master Plan UPDATE

Thank you to everyone who sent in their comments about King’s new Transportation Master Plan. Council has received well over 300 letters of opposition to the expansion of the 15th Sideroad and over 80% of those were from residents of King Township. It was also great to see over 255 residents attend the April 15th Open House to review the suggested options. It was by far the most well attended Open House I’ve been to as a councillor and it was very encouraging to see so many people being a part of the process and having their say in how King grows.

Following are the three Scenarios that were presented along with my own comments:

Scenario 1

This scenario is based on the current transportation network, with no additional infrastructure built by any agency (municipal, regional, or provincial) between now and 2051. It showcases what would happen if no investments are made, including Highway 413 or the Bradford Bypass.

>>JA<< I wonder why this option was included for consideration since there is zero possibility that no level of government (municipal, provincial, or federal) will make any road improvements in the next 25 years.

Scenario 2

This scenario assumes that provincial and regional improvements continue as planned, but with no additional investments from the Township. It shows the impacts of key provincial and regional investments, like Highway 413 and the Bradford Bypass.

>>JA<< The improvements in red have been marked by the consultants, but I’ve added some extra coloured lines of my own (green, purple and teal) that make this Scenario worth considering:

#1. Previous council approved the expansion of the 10th and 15th. You can see the construction work straightening the 15th at highway 27 underway right now.

#2. York Region’s 2022 Transportation Master Plan (TMP) plans recommends road improvements (which could include widening) along King Rd and down Highway 27.

#3. While York Region’s 2016 TMP included the extension of the 15th, they have removed it from their 2022 edition so it is not included here. York Region explained to me that the extension of the 15th was removed because:

“between the TMP in 2016 and 2022 there were some changes that had an impact on the 2022 TMP. The future Highway 413 and the Bradford Bypass MTO projects have made a significant contribution to our growth needs, but more expansion is still required to support our population growth and expanding economic activities.

The Region's 2022 TMP focused more on improving connectivity including a number of east-west missing links, such as Kirby road and Teston Road, that should help to better disperse east-west traffic, in addition to the MTO projects. There are also planned improvements for King-Vaughan Road and a potential interchange with Highway 400. In the Regional TMP, it can be seen that the Region is generally working their way from the south to north following the general pattern of development.  The 15th Sideroad extension was pushed beyond the year 2051 as a result.”

#4. York Region’s 2020 TMP also plans for road improvements along King Vaughan Rd. to the east and west of highway 400 along with interchange improvements. There are also improvements along Kirby Rd, Jane St., and Weston Rd. There is also a “Midblock Crossing” at highway 400 (marked in teal) planned between Kirby and King Vaughan Rd.

#5. Highway Interchanges (indicated by purple dots) are planned from the 413 at both Highway 27 and Weston Rd. York Region’s 2020 TMP also shows notes “Interchange Improvements” at King Vaughan Rd.

#6. York Region’s 2020 TMP also notes that the province has road improvements planned along to highway 9.  

Scenario 3

This scenario assumes all projects within the first two Scenarios, plus all the improvements identified in King’s 2020 TMP. It identifies the impacts of the previously approved improvements, planned for implementation from now to 2031, with no additional investments to the year 2051.

>>JA<< Next to this scenario I’ve added the “2031 Proposed Network Right-Of-Way” from King’s 2020 TMP for comparison purposes. This map shows you the proposed road widths including the “Up to 36 metres” for the 15th Sideroad. As an Arterial Road, the 15th would serve higher volumes of intra-urban traffic at moderate to high speeds with limited private access. These roads also provide regional vehicular movement, goods movement, transit priority and active transportation. The planned right-of-way width is up to 36 m and may include cycle tracks and multi-use paths.

You can share your thoughts on these Scenarios and your own suggestions on the survey posted on King’s website. Although an option to select a Scenario other than what has been presented is not included, you can use the spaces provided to share your thoughts.

Question #3 asks “Please provide additional feedback on your preferred Alternative Scenario choice from the previous question”. • Here you can share your thoughts on the provided Scenarios or ANY OTHER SCENARIO that you would like to see considered.

Question #4 asks “What (if any) transportation challenges or safety concerns still remain unaddressed? What would you recommend as possible solutions? These suggestions will be considered during the development of the fourth scenario.”

• Here you can share additional thoughts the consultants should consider including measures to preserving King’s rural heritage, protecting the Oak Ridges Moraine and Greenbelt, keeping agricultural businesses viable, caring for the environment, etc.  

There is another Open House planned in June but the date has not yet been officially announced - I will keep you posted.