Transportation Committee
	TO:	Mayor and Members of Council
	FROM:	Alan Brown, Director of Engineering
	PREPARED BY:	Arup Mukherjee, Manager of Transportation
	DATE OF MEETING:	2004-Jun-21
	SUBJECT:	Valhalla Drive and Cochrane Drive

RECOMMENDATION:

That the report entitled “Valhalla Drive and Cochrane Drive,” dated June 21, 2004, be received;

And that the existing one-way traffic flow for Valhalla Drive and Cochrane drive at the Highway 7 intersections remain in place;

And that the Region of York be requested to implement a southbound double right turn lane at the Allstate Parkway-Valhalla Drive/Highway 7 intersection;

And that staff defer the tender and construction for the permanent improvements on the south leg of the Allstate Parkway-Valhalla Drive/Highway 7 intersection until 2005 to finalize the streetscape requirements.

PURPOSE:

This report reviews the performance of the one-way road system on Valhalla Drive and Cochrane Drive.

BACKGROUND:

One-way road system put in place to reduce congestion

In 1998, a working group was formed to address the significant congestion issues at the Valhalla Drive-Allstate Parkway intersection in response to concerns from the area businesses. The working group consisted of staff from the Town of Markham, the Region of York and the Ministry of Transportation. At that time, Highway 7 in this area was under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Transportation. One of the solutions involved the introduction of a new signal at the Cochrane Drive/Highway 7 intersection to improve access to the business park. The Ministry of Transportation agreed to this signal subject to the implementation of a one-way road system on Valhalla Drive and Cochrane Drive as noted in Attachment A.

The one-way road system was put in place to balance the impact on Highway 7 while still providing a new signalized intersection for the business park at Cochrane Drive. The one-way system was designed to reduce the heavy vehicular demand entering Highway 7 immediately at the intersections. For example, at the Valhalla Drive-Allstate Parkway/Highway 7 intersection, the high southbound right turn volume and the high northbound left turn volumes could not be accommodated on the west leg.

Extensive consultation was undertaken with the business community

Given the significant changes to the road system, the business community was consulted on the proposed changes. A public open house was held and there were several letters and notices mailed to the businesses. Based on this consultation, staff recommended proceeding with the changes to a one-way system. It was agreed that the changes would be implemented with temporary measures for a trial period to assess the impact of the changes.

At the January 26, 2004Transportation Committee meeting, staff was directed to review the performance of the one-way system and consider reverting back to the two-way system.

OPTIONS/DISCUSSION:

Staff have assessed the impact of the proposed change

The one-way operations on these roads have been in place for 6 years. Since the initial adjustment period, staff have not received complaints from the business community. This portion of Highway 7 is under the jurisdiction of the Region of York. Town staff discussed the issues and benefits of reverting from the one-way system to a two-way system with Regional staff. Based on their assessment, they support retaining the one-way system for the following reasons:

• Traffic conditions along Highway 7 operate at critical thresholds during the peak periods and adding additional volumes at the intersections will deteriorate the levels of service further.
• Allowing two-way flows approaching Highway 7 on Valhalla Drive will introduce both right turn and left turn volumes trying to merge into Highway 7 resulting in a difficult weaving condition for motorists destined to Highway 404.
• The additional traffic at the intersection will result in more conflicting movements and could increase collisions.
• The additional north-south traffic will reduce the signal time for the east-west Highway 7 movement resulting in additional delays and longer queues on Highway 7.
• The additional north-south movements will reduce the flexibility to accommodate rapid transit signal priority

Based on the above noted issues, Regional staff do not support the reconfiguration to a two-way road system approaching Highway 7 at the Valhalla Drive and Cochrane Drive intersections.

A double southbound right turn lane is being reviewed at the Valhalla Drive/Highway 7 intersection

The southbound right turn demand at the Valhalla Drive/Highway 7 intersection is very heavy during the peak periods. Due to the heavy demand, many vehicles are currently making illegal double right turn movements. Town staff have requested the Region to consider formally marking a double right turn lane on the southbound approach to improve capacity for the heavy right turn movement. Their assessment will consider the impact of introducing bus rapid transit and expected pedestrian demands to and from the proposed Seneca College, which may conflict with the double right turn flow.

Curb radius on the south side needs to be finalized

The modifications for the one-way operations are still in temporary conditions with asphalt curb returns. The formation of a Transportation Management Association to encourage alternative modes of travel is currently under way. Given that there may be opportunities to consider sidewalks, parking bays and bike lanes along this section of road, it is recommended that the road improvements be deferred until 2005 so staff can ensure the ultimate requirements are incorporated into the contract . Town staff will coordinate completion of this project with the rapid transit modifications proposed at this intersection for extended busboys.

FINANCIAL CONSIDERATIONS:

There are no financial impacts associated with this report

BUSINESS UNITS CONSULTED AND AFFECTED:

The Operations and Assett Management Department have reveiewed this report and do not have any concerns.

ATTACHMENTS:

Attachment A: Site context map

Alan Brown, C.E.T. Director of Engineering

Jim Baird, M.C.I.P., R.P.P. Commissioner of Development Services

P:\Development\Engineering\REPORTS\2004\June\Valhalla_Cochrane.doc