Item - 2013.PW26.8

Several transportation studies undertaken by both the City and the Province have identified the need for improvements to the Yonge Street / Highway 401 interchange to address traffic congestion and improve traffic operations at this location, particularly in light of the growth in development along the Yonge Street corridor to the north. Most recently, in 2010, the "Yonge Street Traffic Management Study" identified four major problems or constraints in the area: operational / capacity restraints, missing pedestrian paths / cycle routes, collision trends, and limited transportation network capability to accommodate projected traffic generated from approved, planned, and proposed developments.This study introduced, among other things, the concept of replacing the left turn from southbound Yonge Street to eastbound Highway 401 with a new direct southbound-to-eastbound "flyover" ramp connection to alleviate the significant delays and queues currently experienced during peak periods.

The implementation of such a major high-level ramp connection (estimated to cost in the order of $25 M) would first require an Environmental Assessment (EA) Study.  Before embarking on an EA study, City staff, with the support of the Ministry of Transportation of Ontario (MTO), has first undertaken a Transportation Infrastructure Planning Study to determine the technical feasibility of various alternative ways (including the flyover ramp) of resolving the problem of getting from Yonge Street to eastbound Highway 401.

The purpose of this report is to outline the results of the Transportation Infrastructure Planning Study and to obtain authorization from City Council to proceed with the Municipal Class Environmental (EA) study of several technically feasible alternatives in order to determine a preferred solution for the Yonge Street / Highway 401 interchange that most effectively addresses the current operational problems.  As with the Transportation Infrastructure Planning Study, the City is currently seeking confirmation from the Province of their agreement to contribute to the funding of the EA study. Should it be demonstrated during the EA Study that the preferred alternative improves MTO operations (i.e. Highway 401 ramps), the City will seek further funding for the implementation of the final recommendation.