Item - 2015.PW2.4

The Public Works and Infrastructure Committee recommends that:

1. City Council endorse the recommendations included in the Lower Yonge Precinct Study Transportation Master Plan Environmental Assessment.

2. City Council authorize the General Manager, Transportation Services to issue a Notice of Completion and file the Transportation Master Plan Report for the Lower Yonge Precinct Study in the public record for a minimum 30 days.

3. City Council direct the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning, to prepare an Official Plan Amendment that would protect the lands needed for the easterly extension of Harbour Street to Lower Jarvis Street and the northerly extension of Cooper Street to The Esplanade.

4. City Council direct the General Manager, Transportation Services, as part of the subsequent phases of the Environmental Assessment process, to include in the preliminary design of the new road infrastructure, measures and facilities to accomodate cyclists in a safe and convenient manner.

The Lower Yonge Precinct Transportation Master Plan (TMP) was undertaken to define the transportation network that would support redevelopment in this area and balance local and regional travel demands. Several alternative transportation networks were developed and evaluated, with input from City Divisions, the public, landowners, affected government agencies and Aboriginal communities.

The recommended plan includes an easterly extension of Harbour Street (from Yonge Street to Lower Jarvis Street), realignment of the Yonge Street/Harbour Street intersection, a shortening of the Lower Jarvis Street off-ramp from eastbound Gardiner Expressway, removal of the Bay Street on-ramp, conversion of Harbour Street from one-way eastbound to two-way operations (from York Street to Yonge Street), and the extension of Cooper Street north to connect with Church Street and The Esplanade.

Further EA studies and approvals will be required for a number of the infrastructure components identified in the TMP. These further studies will define the specific roadway alignments, lane configurations, public realm composition, and other technical aspects.

A very preliminary estimate of the costs for this infrastructure is $99 to $186 million, not including design work, soil remediation, utility relocations or property acquisition. As a result, the total cost of implementation could be considerably higher.  These funds are not currently included in the 10-year capital plan and, therefore, a financial strategy needs to be developed as part of the Lower Yonge Precinct Planning process to identify the various City and non-City funding sources.  However, it is necessary to report on these infrastructure improvements at this time, prior to the development of the funding strategy, in order to receive Council endorsement of the streets and blocks plan which is necessary to guide development in the area and trigger the required Official Plan Amendment to protect the lands needed for the Harbour Street and Cooper Street extensions.  Further EA studies and approvals will be required for a number of the infrastructure components identified in the TMP. These further studies will define the specific roadway alignments, lane configurations, public realm composition, and other technical aspects.