The Original with the…

The Original with the attachment (map) has been sent by mail

May 26, 2017

Monica Russell
Senior Policy Analyst
Ministry of Transportation
Policy and Planning Division
Transportation Planning Branch
Environmental Policy Office (Toronto)
777 Bay Street, Suite 3000
Toronto, Ontario
M7A 2J8

Subject:Draft Province-wide Cycling Network, EBR Registry Number 013-0190 File:T-1000

Thank you for providing the City with the opportunity to comment on the proposed Province-wide Cycling Network (EBR posting 013-0190). City staff have reviewed the proposed network and offer the following comments for the Ministry of Transportation’s consideration:

•With respect to the mapping of the Proposed Province-wide Cycling Network we have enclosed a map and corresponding table of comments and corrections (see attachment 1 and 2) to this letter. •All the On and Off-Road Routes identified in the Province-wide Cycling Network will need to be constructed or brought up to the standards identified in Ontario Traffic Manual Book 18 standards, prior to being signed as an official cycling route. •The Province should provide the funding, technical help and commitment necessary to assist the implementation of the proposed network, having regard for current and future capital project plans of the Region and the City. •An evaluation of existing conditions, as mentioned in the EBR posting, will need to be carried out in consultation and coordination with the Region and the City. This evaluation should also examine improvements that would be necessary to bridges, culverts, grade separations, and level rail crossings to allow for safe cycling. •The Province should identify and provide cycling supportive infrastructure, including bicycle parking and storage facilities, washrooms, changerooms and water stations, at specific locations along the proposed network (e.g. trail heads). •The Province should provide funding for the continued maintenance, repair, and ongoing inspection of the proposed cycling network.

Yours truly

Jeff Brooks, MCIP, RPP, AMCT Manager, Policy & Geomatics, City Development

JB:nz

Enclosure - Map

Copy:P. Roy, Manager, Transportation Planning, Region of Durham Mayor Ryan Members of Council Chief Administrative Officer Director, City Development Director, Engineering Services Chief Planner Manager, Capital Projects & Infrastructure Coordinator, Transportation Engineering Planner II, Policy Table: City of Pickering Comments on the Proposed Province-wide Cycling Network

Comment numberComment Description

1Uxbridge – Pickering Townline (from York – Durham Line to Sideline 12) is an existing Greenbelt Route and is shown as a proposed on-road route. Uxbridge – Pickering Townline Road from York - Durham Line to Third Concession Road is under City of Pickering jurisdiction. Based on a future projected volume of more than 900 Annual Average Daily Traffic (AADT) and a posted speed of 60 km/hr, the City of Pickering is recommending that this route be designed with a separate on – road cycling facility in accordance with the standards of Ontario Traffic Manual Book 18.

2Although Sideline 12 (from Uxbridge – Pickering Townline to Seventh Concession Road, Regional Road 31) is being used as a cycling route, it is a gravel route and does not meet the standards of Ontario Traffic Manual Book 18. Instead, City staff propose that Westney Road from Seventh Concession Road (Regional Road 31) to Ninth Concession Road be identified as a “Proposed Connecting On-Road Route”. The City of Pickering has approved Westney Road to be hard surfaced (currently Westney Road is a gravel road) from Seventh Concession Road to Regional Road 5 in our five year Northern Roads Strategy. The City would also propose to hard surface Westney Road from Regional Road 5 to Uxbridge – Pickering Townline, depending upon future budget approval. The City requires funding to construct Westney Road bike lanes or pave the shoulders as per OTM Book 18 recommendations.

3Although Paddock Road from Seventh Concession Road (Regional Road 31) to Highway 7 is part of the current TransCanada Trail, it is recommended that this route be shown as “Proposed On-Road Route” rather than an “Existing On-Road Route”, until such time as the condition of this road is assessed and improved to the standards outlined in the Ontario Traffic Manual Book 18. In addition, the stretch of the TransCanada Trail from Paddock Road under the Highway 407 East was recently installed and does not meet the standards of the Ontario Traffic Manual Book 18. The City has previously expressed concerns to the Ministry of Transportation regarding the design of this trail and the responsibility for future maintenance and repair.

4It is recommended that the off-road route shown south of Greenwood to the Fifth Concession Road be shown as “Proposed Off-Road Route” rather than an “Existing Off-Road Route”, until such time as the condition of this road is assessed and improved to the standards outlined in the Ontario Traffic Manual Book 18.

5It is recommended that the east-west stretch on Montgomery Park Road be shown as a “Proposed On-Road Route” as opposed to an “Existing Off Road Route” until such time as the condition of this road is assessed and improved to the standards outlined in the Ontario Traffic Manual Book 18.

6The Province should examine an alternative connection to the Pickering GO station on Bayly Street, including: Sandy Beach Road, Squires Beach Road, or the Hydro Corridor. The Plan does not illustrate a connection to the Pickering GO Station. A multi-use path is being planned by the Region of Durham on the south side of Bayly Street to connect to the Pickering GO Station.

7Several local roads, south of Bayly Street and west of Frenchman’s Bay, are shown as part of the existing cycling route, and are incorrectly categorized as “off-road”. These roads will need to be reviewed in the context of the OTM Book 18 standards prior to being acknowledged as part of the existing network.

8Kingston Road (Highway 2) from the City of Toronto boundary to the Town of Ajax is recommended as “Proposed Connecting On-Road Route”. As part of the Highway 2 BRT project, the Region has taken steps to introduce buffered cycling lanes along this important corridor.

9Bayly Street from the Pickering GO station to the Oshawa GO station should be shown as a as “Proposed Connecting On-Road Route”. Bayly Street provides an important east-west linkage between each of the existing Lakeshore East GO stations, and is a significant commuter route.

[Original Comment ID: 209439]