If Region cf Peel Wti kit i/oti Leadershi

Transcription

1 If Region cf Peel Wti kit i/oti Leadershi p <;t\ April 9, 2009 APS Resolution Number RECEIVED Ms. Kathy Zammit CLERK'S DEPT. City Clerk City of Brampton PLANNING, DESIGN & DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE APR Wellington Street West Brampton, ON L6Y 4R2 Dear Ms. Zammit: J DATE: I req.no.: RLE NO.: Subject: Georgetown South Service Expansion and Union-Pearson Rail Link I am writing to advise that Regional Council approved the following resolution at its meeting held on Thursday, April 2, 2009: That the report of the Commissioner of Environment, Planning and Transportation Services, dated February 27, 2009, titled "Georgetown South Service Expansion and Union-Pearson Rail Link", outlining the current status of the project, be received; And further, that Regional staff continue to work with Metrolinx to facilitate the Georgetown South Service Expansion and Union-Pearson Rail Link project and to address various issues with a view to protecting the Region's interests; And further, that a copy of the subject report be forwarded to Metrolinx, GO Transit, the Ontario Minister of Transportation, the Ontario Minister of the Environment, the Federal Minister of Transportation, the City of Toronto, the City of Brampton, the City of Mississauga and the Town of Caledon for information. The subject report and resolution are provided for your information. Sincerely, Christine Thomson Legislative Specialist CT:RM c: Dan Labrecque, Commissioner of Environment, Transportation and Planning Services Corporate Services 10 Peel Centre Dr., Brampton, ON L6T 4B9 Tel: Office of the Regional Clerk

2 IP Region cf Peel Wo/diwj fo/i (/on er.p-.c3~l REPORT General Committee DATE: February 27, 2009 SUBJECT: FROM: GEORGETOWN SOUTH SERVICE EXPANSION AND UNION-PEARSON RAIL LINK Dan Labrecque, Commissioner of Environment, Transportation and Planning Services RECOMMENDATION That the report of the Commissioner of Environment, Planning and Transportation Services, dated February 27, 2009, titled "Georgetown South Service Expansion and Union-Pearson Rail Link", outlining the current status of the project, be received; And further, that Regional staff continue to work Metrolinx to facilitate the Georgetown South Service Expansion and Union-Pearson Rail Link project and to address various issues with a view to protecting the Region's interests; And further, that a copy of the subject report be forwarded to Metrolinx, GO Transit, the Ontario Minister of Transportation, the Ontario Minister of the Environment, the federal Minister of Transportation, the City of Toronto, the City of Brampton, the City of Mississauga and the Town of Caledon for information. REPORT HIGHLIGHTS The expansion of GO Rail service on the Georgetown line and the initiation of rail service between Union Station and Pearson Airport will require additional track capacity in the Georgetown South rail corridor. This project requires both provincial and federal environmental assessments. The province has asked Metrolinx to be the proponent for this project Metrolinx is undertaking the study using the new, shortened Transit Environmental Assessment (EA) process. Metrolinx intends to submit an EA project proposal in Spring 2009, following a three to four month consultation period. Once Metrolinx initiates the Transit EA the process provides a six month window for the study to be completed and reviewed by the Minister of the Environment Based on this schedule, approval for the project could be given by the end of Both the Georgetown GO service expansion and the Union-Pearson Rail Link are included in the Metrolinx Regional Transportation Plan. Several issues need to be addressed in the EA to ensure: that future expansion of commuter rail service in the Georgetown and other corridors is not jeopardized by the Union-Pearson Rail Link service; and that the Union-Pearson Rail Link service provides improved transit access to Pearson Airport for Peel residents. Regional staff will continue to work with the Metrolinx project team and will report back to Council as the study progresses. V-O1-OOZ 08/11

3 February 27,2009 &&C Q b ~ DISCUSSION 1. Background The purpose of the project is to provide rail capacity expansion to meet existing demand and forecast growth for GO Transit's commuter services along the Georgetown Corridor. The project has two components: Expansion in the Georgetown South rail corridor (rail capacity in the corridor must be increased before additional GO services can be added); and Rail service between Union Station and Toronto Pearson International Airport. See Appendix I for a map of the study corridor area, a) Project History The expansion of GO Transit services in the Georgetown South Corridor and a fast rail service from Union Station to Pearson Airport has been studied since the 198Q's. Transport Canada released a report on a possible Union Station to Pearson Airport connection in In 2001, Transport Canada issued an Expression of Interest to several private consortia for the design, construction and operation of a rail link between Union Station and Pearson Airport. In May 2003, Transport Canada issued Requests for Business Cases to four pre selected private consortia. In November 2003 it was announced that the Union Pearson AirLJnk Group had been selected as the successful respondent. In 2004, GO Transit initiated a Class 'B1 Environmental Assessment (EA) study for the Georgetown South Corridor and Air Rail Link service. This EA was terminated in 2005 due to strong public opposition to the proposed Air Rail Link service. In 2006, GO Transit initiated an Individual Environmental Assessment (IEA) for a Georgetown South Corridor Service Expansion and an Airport Transportation Link between Union Station and Pearson Airport The IEA Terms of Reference were submitted to the Minister of the Environment in October In December 2008, GO Transit withdrew the IEA Terms of Reference and Metrolinx announced that it is the new proponent of the project and that it will undertake a new study under the Transit Environmental Assessment Process. (See Appendix II for details on the Transit EA process.) The Province asked Metrolinx to take the lead on the project because of Metrolinx's broad mandate to expand transit services in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area (GTHA). (See Appendix III for details on how this project relates to the Metrolinx Regional Transportation Plan.) In January 2009, Metrolinx announced a revised project plan and kicked off a public consultation process. Metrolinx held four Open Houses for the project in early-february b) Project Scope Key elements of the project include: Adding several new rail tracks between Malton and Union Station; Widening 14 bridges, including new grade separations; Upgrading the Weston GO Stop to a full GO Station (to serve both GO and Union- Pearson trains); Constructing a rail tunnel to allow Church and King Streets in Weston to remain open

4 Febojary_2Z^2009 and converting John Street in Weston into a pedestrian crossing; Modifying the Bloor GO/Dundas TTC station so that it can accommodate both GO and Union-Pearson trains and facilitate transfers between the two services; Designing for a potential future GO/Union-Pearson station at Woodbine; and Adding a new 3.3 kilometre rail spur from the Georgetown GO line to Terminal 1 at Pearson Airport. Metroiinx is managing the EA portion of the project and GO Transit will provide expertise in rail service planning in consultation with CN, CP, VIA Rail, the City of Toronto and the Greater Toronto Airports Authority. As the Georgetown GO expansion is receiving federal government funding, a federal environmental assessment is required. The federal and provincial processes will be coordinated. The Georgetown South Corridor Service Expansion is part of the GO Transit Rail Improvement Program, an expansion initiative funded by the federal and provincial governments and local municipalities through the Canada Strategic Infrastructure Fund The Union-Pearson Rail Link service will be financed and operated by a private sector operator (SNC Lavalin). c) Transit Service Improvements 2. Issues Approval of the Transit Environmental Assessment will enable further work leading to transit service improvements, including: Two-way, all-day GO service between Toronto and Georgetown; All-day express GO service between Toronto and Brampton; New peak period GO service between Toronto and Bolton; New peak period GO service between Toronto and Guelph; and New passenger rail service from Union Station to Pearson Airport. The following are key issues for Peel Region related to this project Georgetown GO Rail service expansion is very important for Peel Region The Georgetown South Environmental Assessment (EA) has already experienced many years of delay due its being linked to the Union-Pearson Rail Link (issues related to the Rail Link have delayed the EA Process). It is important that the EA be completed as soon as possible so that the much needed track and service improvements can be implemented. The Union-Pearson Rail Link is expected to provide all-day service at 15 minute intervals. This would require significant track capacity. It is important to ensure that this would not in any way jeopardize the future expansion of GO Rail service in the Georgetown corridor (or service on any other GO Rail corridor) as envisioned in the Metroiinx Regional Transportation Plan. The EA process should include the appropriate analysis of rail traffic operations in the Georgetown corridor and at Union Station to ensure that the long term vision for GO Rail service is not compromised. The Union-Pearson Rail Link would not provide rail access to Pearson Airport for Peel residents unless a station is provided at Woodbine. The current project is not seeking approval for a Woodbine station (though it will be designed so as not to preclude a future station). Staff support the inclusion of Woodbine station in the current project V /11

5 February 27,2009 Additional issues for Peel Region may ensue from the final project proposal to be submitted by Metrolinx in Spring Regional staff will notify Regional Council of any additional issues at that time. 3. Next Steps Metrolinx intends to consult with the public for three to four months before formulatingi and submitting a final project proposal. (Four Open Houses were held in early-february 2009 and comments can be submitted to Metrolinx by telephone, or at a Virtual Open House1) The formal Transit Environmental Assessment Process will start in Spnng McCormick Rankin has been retained by Metrolinx to conduct the Transit EA study. The federal EA process will closely follow the provincial process. Regional staff will stay involved in the process and work with Metrolinx to advance the project white protecting Peel's interests. Staff will periodically report to Regional Council on the progress of the study. Dan Labrecque Commissioner of Environment, Transportation and Planning Services Approved for Submission: D. Szwarc, Chief Administrative Officer For further information regarding this report, please contact Tom AppaRao at extension 4100 or via at tom.apparao@peelregion.ca Authored By: Murray McLeod/Bhan Lakeman c. Legislative Services P-09-06/rs V CB/11

6 APPENDIX I February 27, 200& Study Corridor Map V /11

7 APPENDIXII February 27, Transit Environmental Assessment Process In June 2008 the Province of Ontario announced a new environmental assessment process for transit projects. The process gives GO Transit, Metrolinx and municipal and provincial transit authorities a six month window in which to consult with the public, undertake an assessment of the potential environmental impacts and identify mitigation measures. Proponents do not have to rationalize the need for transit or look at alternatives (only alternative construction methods) since the need for transit and the benefits to communities, the environment and the economy are dear. The assessment process for transit does not change the normal process of up-front planning, including identifying existing environmental conditions and expected impacts, and resolving land use constraints. The six month time limit includes 120 days for consultation and preparation of an Environmental Project Report, a 30 day public and agency comment period, and 35 days for the Minister of the Environment to respond to public requests for a review of the project. Once the proponent initiates the assessment process the timelines will apply. If issues of provincial importance arise during the 120 day consultation and documentation period, the proponent can take a timeout to work out the concerns. Proponents can only use the timeout provision when issues or concerns are associated with a matter of provincial importance related to the natural environment or cultural heritage resource, or a constitutionally protected Aboriginal or treaty right Anyone can apply to the Minister of the Environment for a review of the project If the Minister is of the opinion that the project may have a negative impact on a matter of provincial interest or Aboriginal or treaty rights then he/she can issue a notice requiring further study. The Minister has 35 days to request additional studies or other actions and, if the proponent's response does not address the Minister's concerns, he/she can demand that the proponent undertake an Individual EA or a Class EA.

8 APPENDIX III February 27, Relation to the Metrollnx Regional Transportation Plan The Georgetown South Service Expansion and Union-Pearson Rail Link project addresses two Big Moves and two Priority Actions from the Metrolinx Regional Transportation Plan (RTP): Big Move 1: A fast, frequent and expanded regional rapid transit network Priority Action 1.1: Build the regional rapid transit network identified in Schedules 1 and 2 [of the RTP], to bring fast, frequent, all-day, two-way express rail service and expanded regional rail service to every region of the GTHA and to within two kilometres of 80 per cent of GTHA residents. Big Move 2: High-order transit connectivity to the Pearson Airport District from all directions. Priority Action 1.2: Establish high-order transit connectivity to the Pearson Airport District from all directions, including a multi-purpose, fast transit link to Downtown Toronto. The project also addresses two of the Top 15 transit priorities for early implementation identified in the RTP: Rail link between Union Station and Pearson Airport; and Improvements to existing GO Rail services.