Report to: General Committee Date of Meeting: May 15, 2006

SUBJECT: Region of York

2006/2007 and 10 Year Capital Budget

PREPARED BY: Alan Brown, ext. 7507

RECOMMENDATION:

That staff report entitled “ Region of York 2006/2007 and 10 year Capital Budget” dated May 15, 2006, be received;

And that the Region of York be requested to incorporate the following revisions to their 2007 and 10 Year Capital Budget:

· Advance Stage 3 of the Woodbine By-pass from 2011/2012 to 2008/2009

· Provide financing for a traffic/financial model of the Hwy 407 ramps at 9^th line and the Markham By-Pass in 2006/2007

· Defer 14^th Avenue and Birchmount intersection improvements and include as part of Town’s Birchmount Road construction from 14^th Avenue to Enterprise in 2007/2008.

· Confirm future funding and timing of the Hwy 404 employment lands grade separations to provide for mid block flyovers.

And that the Region of York be requested to report back as to the needs and justification of the widening of 16^th Avenue from Woodbine to McCowan;

And that the Region of York be requested to resolve with the City of Toronto and Region of Durham the cost sharing and timing for Steeles Avenue improvements (Hwy 48 to Town Line), on a priority basis;

And that the new criteria established by the Region of York for prioritizing road infrastructure as part of their 2007 budget process be subject to further review and comment by local municipalities, in the context of the impact on the scheduled delivery of road infrastructure in the affected municipalities;

And that the Clerk and Bruce Macgregor, Commissioner, Transportation and Works Department for the Regional Municipality of York, be advised accordingly.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:

The Region of York has submitted their 2006 Capital Program and requested any comments on their 2007 and 10 Year Capital Program by May 31, 2006. Staff has reviewed the Regional program from a Town of Markham perspective, and we recommend revisions as listed in the background and recommendation sections of this report.

The Region of York uses a Priority-Setting Model (PSM) to assess and prioritize road infrastructure projects for their capital programme. Over the last few years, key changes have occurred that have impacted the delivery of road infrastructure such as transit initiatives, intensification of development, asset management and funding. In response to these changes and influences, the Region is proposing to modify their PSM to include criteria that take into consideration these issues. The Region has requested comments from local municipalities on their revised Priority Setting Model. While staff are generally satisfied with the overall principles, prior to endorsement of the new criteria, staff recommend a review of the impact of the updated model to key infrastructure in the Town for the 2007 budget.

FINANCIAL CONSIDERATIONS:

The Engineering Department will submit, for consideration by Markham Council, any budgetary requirements (i.e. Sidewalks, illumination) required for Regional roads as part of the yearly Capital Budget process.

1. Purpose 2. Background 3. Discussion 4. Financial 5. Environmental

6. Accessibility 7. Engage ^21st 8. Affected Units 9. Attachment(s)

PURPOSE:

The purpose of this report is to update Council on the Region’s 2006 and 10 Year Capital Program (2006 to 2015), and to summarize Town staff requests for revisions to their 2007 Capital Program.

BACKGROUND:

Region of York 2006 and 10 Year Capital Program

As per Attachment ‘A’ the Region has submitted their 2006 and 10 Year Capital Program. Staff has transposed this information as per Attachment ‘B’ to reflect Regional road projects in Markham.

Highlights of their 2006 and 10 Year Capital Program, in comparison to the revisions requested in 2005 by Markham, are:

1. Hwy 7 from Rouge River to Sciberras Road.
• The Region’s 2005 schedule was for this project was to tender in 2007.
• The Town requested advancing to 2005/2006.
• A 2007/2008 construction schedule is realistic.

2. Kennedy Road from Steeles to Highway 7.
• The Region’s 2005 budget was to have the Class EA complete in 2006 and construction in 2009.
• The Town requested advancing the construction to 2007.
• The Region’s 2006 schedule is for 2009. They have advised that the completion of this project will be done as expeditiously as possible, taking into account the timing for property acquisitions, approvals and funding. As the Region has not commenced the EA or design process, 2009 is the earliest likely date.
3. Markham By-pass from Hwy 407 to Morningside.
• The Region’s 2005 schedule was for 2012.
• The Town requested advancing the Markham By-pass from Hwy 407 to Morningside from 2012 to 2009.
• Given Toronto’s objection to the EA and the issues to be resolved, advancing this project from 2012 is unlikely. Advancement of a municipal collector road from Hwy 407 to 9^th Line in 2007/2008 as per the Box Grove MOU plan is a more realistic objective.
4. McCowan Road from 14^th Avenue to Bullock.
• The Region’s 2005 schedule was for 2012.

· The Town requested that the project be advanced to 2009.

• The Region’s 2006 schedule has advanced this project to 2011 in coordination with the section of McCowan Road from Bullock to 16^th Ave
• Staff concur with this schedule.
4. 9^th Line from Hwy 407 to the Markham Scarborough Link.
• The Region’s 2005 schedule was for 2010.
• The Town requested advancing 9^th Line from Hwy 407 to the Markham Scarborough Link from 2010 to 2007.
• The Region’s 2006 schedule shows the timing of construction as 2010.
• The project is being implemented through the Box Grove Community Development and will be open in 2006.
5. Woodbine By-pass from Major Mackenzie Drive to 19^th Avenue.
• The Region’s 2005 budget was for 2012 construction.
• The Town requested advancing Woodbine By-pass from Major Mackenzie Drive to 19^th Avenue from 2012 to 2007.
• Phase I and II of this project (through the Cathedral Secondary Plan) is currently being designed and is slated for 2007/2008 construction by the Town.
• Timing for Phase III from the north end of the Cathedral Secondary Plan to Woodbine Avenue is currently under discussion but staff is requesting a 2008/2009 construction time line.
6. 14^th Avenue from Reesor Road to York/Durham Line.
• The Region’s 2005 schedule was for 2010.
• The Town requested deferring to 2012.
• The Region’s 2006 schedule shows this project has been deferred to 2012 as requested by the Town.
7. 16^th Avenue from Markham By-pass to York/Durham Line.
• The Region’s 2005 schedule was for 2011.
• The Town requested deferring to 2012.
• The Region’s 2006 schedule shows this project is deferred to 2012 as requested by the Town.
8. York/Durham Line from Steeles Avenue to Hwy 7.
• The Region’s 2005 schedule was for 2007.
• The Town requested deferring to 2010.
• The Region’s 2006 schedule shows this project has been deferred to 2010 as requested by the Town.

10. New Projects: Hwy 407/Markham By-pass, northbound ramps and Hwy 407/9^th Line northbound ramps.

• These projects are not a Regional responsibility but as per the February 28, 2006 Markham Council resolution, the Region has been requested to work with the Town, Ministry of Transportation and Hwy 407/ETR to discuss possible early implementation.
• Financial assistance by the Region for the traffic/financial model being undertaken by the Town in 2006/2007 is required.
10. Steeles Avenue – Hwy 48 to York/Durham Line
• Resolve and incorporate any Regional costs for Steeles Avenue improvements (Hwy 48 to Town Line) into their 10 Year Capital Program.

NEW PROJECTS:

The following projects are additions or deferrals by the Region to the 2006 Program.

Intersection Improvements:

· 14^th Av and Birchmount – 2006

· Kennedy and Birchview Lane – 2006

· Ninth Line and Elgin Mills – 2007

· Kennedy and Elgin Mills – 2007

· Ninth Line and Major Mackenzie – 2007

New Road Improvements:

· Hwy 404 mid-block crossing north of Major Mackenzie Drive – 2015

· 16^th Avenue from Kennedy to McCowan – 2015

Deferred Projects:

· Bayview Avenue – Hwy 407 to John Street – deferred from 2011 to 2013 – Region is reassessing need for project

· Markham By-pass – Hwy 48 to Major Mackenzie Dr. – deferred from 2007 to 2010

· Warden Avenue – 16^th Avenue to Major Mackenzie Dr. – deferred from 2007 to 2010

Other infrastructure Projects:

· Through the Regional Development Charges Bylaw, the Region is funding one-third of the cost of constructing mid-block collector road crossings of 400-series highways. These crossings include Rodick and Birchmount crossings of Hwy 407 and the Hwy 404 crossing north of Hwy 7. Regional confirmation of funding for the Cathedral and the 404 employment lands grade separations is requested.

Region of York 2007 and 10 Year Capital Program

The Region has requested input into their 2007 and 10 Year Capital program by May 31, 2006. Town staff have reviewed the Region’s 2006 budget and requested revisions to be included in their 2007 capital construction budget. The recommended revisions are as follows:

· Advance Stage 3 of the Woodbine By-pass from 2011/2012 to 2008/2009

· Resolve and incorporate any Regional costs for Steeles Avenue improvements (Hwy 48 to Town Line)

· Provide financing for a traffic/financial model for the Hwy 407 ramps at 9^th line and the Markham By-Pass in 2008/2009

· Defer 14^th Avenue and Birchmount intersection improvements and include as part of Town’s Birchmount Road construction from 14^th Avenue to Enterprise in 2007/2008.

· Region to report back as to the needs and justification of the widening of 16^th Avenue from Woodbine Avenue to McCowan Road

· Confirm future funding and timing of the Hwy 404 employment lands grade separations to provide a mid block flyover.

Region’s Criteria for Capital Program

Proposed criteria for prioritizing Region of York road infrastructure

In their report of April 5, 2006, the Region of York recommended modifications to their current criteria for prioritizing road infrastructure for the 2007 budget. The criteria currently used by the Region since 2002 includes:

• Road capacity
• Network Benefits
• Collisions
• Pavement conditions

Over the last few years, key changes have occurred that have impacted the delivery of road infrastructure including transit initiatives, the Region’s Congestion Management Strategy, planning initiatives to support intensification, increasing importance of asset management, new legislation such as the Places to Grow Act, and the City of Toronto’s capital programme at the Steeles boundary. Although it is not part of their new criteria, the Region of York has stated that there are ongoing financial pressures related to debt financing and the need to build new roads.

In response to these changes and influences, the Region is proposing to modify their criteria to include:

• Road capacity – add real time person delays
• Network Benefits – transit routing/service, intensification in corridors, DC advanced widening/construction
• Collisions – include collision history
• Pavement conditions – include asset value and assessment

Staff recommends the new criteria established by the Region of York for prioritizing road infrastructure as part of their 2007 budget process be subject to further review and comment by local municipalities, in the context of the impact on the scheduled delivery of road infrastructure in the affected municipalities

OPTIONS/ DISCUSSION:

Not applicable

FINANCIAL TEMPLATE (Separate Attachment):

Not applicable

ENVIRONMENTAL CONSIDERATIONS:

Not applicable

ACCESSIBILITY CONSIDERATIONS:

Not applicable

ENGAGE 21^ST CONSIDERATIONS:

Not applicable

BUSINESS UNITS CONSULTED AND AFFECTED:

Not applicable

RECOMMENDED BY:

________________________ ______________________________

Alan Brown, C.E.T. Jim Baird, M.C.I.P., R.P.P.

Director, Engineering Commissioner, Development Services

ATTACHMENTS:

Schedule “A” – Region of York 10-Year Capital Program (2006-2015)

Schedule “B” - Summary of Regional Road Works with dates

Schedule “C” – Regions Proposed Criteria for Prioritizing