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www.insideHALTON.com · OAKVILLE BEAVER Friday, July 6, 2012 · 18 By David Lea OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFF More, more, more needed in Switching Gears "Why are we calling the transportation master plan Switching Gears? It's because we need to plan differently to provide real alteratives to the public to the auto or at least to reduce the use of single occupant vehicles." Dan Cozzi, director, engineering and construction, Town of Oakville a situation where transit use is a realistic alternative to the automobile requires the significant growth of the Town's current fleet of transit vehicles, bus terminal locations, technology enhancements, and some expansion to bus storage and maintenance (garage) facilities. Other recommendations included short-, medium- and long-term strategies for expanding transit service to north Oakville with cycling and pedestrian connections, a short-term goal for sustaining a peak period service frequency of 10 minutes on primary routes and 20 minutes on secondary routes, and strategies for enhancing transit stations and stops to offer a better customer experience. Making all these transit changes will not be cheap with Town staff currently estimating a capital investment of more than $145 million being needed between now and 2031. The report also estimated the annual operating costs after full implementation of these changes to be $27.7 million. Other strategies concerning Active Transportation (e.g. walking, cycling) included the introduction of bicycle parking throughout the town through government investment at public locations, the promotion of walk and cycle to school programs, and the promotion of bicycle/ walking home to work commuting through the development of a network of bicycle routes, sidewalks and multi-use trails. These Active Transportation initiatives will require a more than $50 million capital investment to 2031 and feature annual operating costs of $110,000 after full implementation. Special promotions intended to get people out of their cars cost less at a $445,000 capital investment to 2031 and annual operating cost of $155,000. These strategies included promoting and supporting reduced single occupant vehicle use through car-pooling programs, promoting reduced auto ownership and driving as a primary mode of travel through car-share programs, increasing parking rates, and promoting transit and employer subsidized transit programs. While the goal of the transportation master plan is to get people out of their cars, it does point out that improvements to Oakville's road network are necessary to accommodate the predicted future traffic levels. Some of the recommended road improvements included the widening of Wyecroft Road (Bronte Road to Third Line) to four lanes, South Service Road (Third Line to Fourth Line) to four lanes, Wyecroft Road (Fourth Line to Dorval Drive) to four lanes, Wyecroft Road (Dorval Drive to Kerr Street) to four lanes, Speers-Cornwall Road (Bronte Road to Trafalgar Road) to six lanes, Burloak Drive (Superior Court to Wyecroft Road) to six lanes, and Iroquois Shore Drive (Trafalgar Road to Eighth Line) to four lanes. In the midtown growth area, recommendations have also been made for an extension of Cross Avenue, an extension of Iroquois Shore Road to Royal Windsor Drive, a new QEW crossing (Iroquois Shore Road to Cross Avenue), the widening of Chartwell Road (South Service Road to Cornwall Road) to four lanes, the widening of More transit, more roads and more opportunities for walking and cycling. These were the essential recommendations made in a draft study report of Oakville's Transportation Master Plan -- Switching Gears, which was unanimously approved in principle by Town council Tuesday night. The plan is intended to direct the development of Oakville's transportation network as the town grows between now and 2031. Town staff said proper planning is important as 72,000 people and 37,000 jobs are expected to take root in Oakville over the next 20 years. They also said these new arrivals could mean extensive road congestion if a proper transportation system is not in place to deal with them. "Why are we calling the transportation master plan Switching Gears? It's because we need to plan differently to provide real alternatives to the public to the auto or at least to reduce the use of single occupant vehicles," said Dan Cozzi, director of engineering and construction at the Town of Oakville. "Switching Gears represents a change in how we think about going forward to develop a more sustainable transportation system and support the Town's vision of being the most livable town in Canada." In a report to council, Cozzi noted getting to Eighth Line (North Service Road to Iroquois Shore Road) to four lanes and QEW interchange improvements at Trafalgar Road and Royal Windsor Drive. Town staff are also recommending a North Service Road crossing of Sixteen Mile Creek or the widening of the QEW in this area. A four-lane Ninth Line crossing of Hwy. 403, complete with bicycle lanes and sidewalks, has also been proposed. The cost of implementing all these road changes is considerable at a total capital investment to 2031 of $729.7 million. The annual operating costs for these changes have yet to be determined. Not everyone was happy with the proposed road expansions with area-resident Diane Burton voicing concerns about the environmental damage that will be done in the process. Burton voiced concern about the number of trees to be cut down and the amount of green space lost when the North Service Road crossing at Sixteen Mile Creek and the Wyecroft Road crossing at Bronte Creek is completed. The Wyecroft Road crossing was part of a previous transportation master plan and has been incorporated into this new one. Town staff said a major problem with Switching Gears is funding it. As so much money is needed, staff said the Town cannot fund changes by itself and should look for partnerships with the Region, GO Transit, the Province, Metrolinx and others. Some of these partnerships are also necessary because certain proposed projects outlined in the plan, such as the widening of a portion of the QEW, are not within the Town's jurisdiction. Given the importance of finding funding, council also voted to make the implementation of Switching Gears subject to council's future approval of financing plans. The Town has initiated a 75-day notice period for public review and comment on the Oakville Transportation Master Plan. This notice period exceeds the required notice period of 30 days to respect the summer period. If there are major concerns or issues arising during the review period, Town staff will report back to council. For more information on Switching Gears, visit www.oakville.ca. n see s A on V HT CHC S g Clean Up n i r p ! As see n Cityon Lin e CELEBRATING OUR 3RD ANNIVERSARY!!! RE-CONDITION, RECYCLE, AND RE-USE: · All Outdoor Furniture · Trellises & Urns · Cottage Furniture · Garage Sale Finds · Stored Furniture · All Types Of Doors #1A-1254 Plains Rd. E., Burlington, Ontario 10 am - 5 pm, Monday - Saturday 905-631-REDO (7336) www.paintitlikenew.com CLIP & SAVE Sp 2 A ray Chairs dirondack @ get the reg. price & 3r 2 0% d one Expires off. July 31 st