1. Transportation and Transit Committee 4 December 2002 Albion Road Corridor Study

2. 2 Presentation Overview Background Issues Existing Conditions Alternative Solutions Preferred Solution and Implications Public Consultation Recommendations Next Steps

3. 3

4. 4

5. 5 Detailed Plan

6. 6 Background and Purpose of the Study Significant increase in traffic on Albion Road has resulted in safety concerns through Blossom Park New area development proposals will compound these issues July 2002 Council directive to undertake focused study on Albion Road through Blossom Park

7. 7 Issues Identified Significant growth in both peak hour and daily traffic volumes High proportion of non-local “through” traffic Speed of traffic on Albion Road Safety concerns for pedestrians, cyclists and motor vehicles travelling on, or crossing, Albion Road Potential for further increases due to continued urban development of lands to the south

8. 8 Potential Traffic Increases Due to Proposed Area Development CCE relocation….…150,000 visitors projected during 11-day exhibition Canada Lands Company…….approximately 700 dwelling units within two land parcels Riverside South and Leitrim…….approximately 21,500 units plus employment areas

9. 9 Existing Traffic Conditions Albion Road Through Blossom Park Existing Two-Way Peak Hour Traffic Existing “Through” Traffic Vehicle Speed (50 km/h posted) veh/h %85th %ileCompliance North of Lester - morning - afternoon 500 820 200 385 40 47 68 km/h13% South of Bank - morning - afternoon 680 1,060 200 385 29 36 68 km/h5%

10. 10

11. 11

12. 12

13. 13 Recommended Alternative

14. 14 Recommended Alternative Reduces peak hour traffic by 170 to 360 veh/h in the AM peak and by 320 to 530 veh/h in the PM peak Results in a diversion of between 60 and 180 veh/h in the AM peak and between 90 and 225 veh/h in the PM peak onto local street system (mix of “local” and “non-local” traffic) Least impact on community accessibility Can be designed to accommodate transit, emergency vehicles, pedestrian and cyclist access Diverted “through traffic” may trigger signal warrants at the adjacent Lester / Airport Parkway intersections

15. 15 Public Open House November 14 th, 2002 Approximately 85 people attended To date 32 have returned comments / questionnaires 66% of respondents support the Recommended Alternative 22% did not indicate a strong preference for any of the alternatives 12% were opposed to the Recommended Alternative, or preferred another alternative Public Consultation

16. 16 Additional Public Input Three recent objections have been expressed: –Airport Authority concerned over impact on Airport Parkway, asking that decisions be postponed until Transportation Master Plan update complete –City Centre Coalition concerned over impact on Airport Parkway and Bronson Avenue, requesting that the item be deferred –Resident living along Albion Road south concerned over travel time implications for those to the south While there are implications these are manageable Albion Road through Blossom Park was not part of the former RMOC arterial road network

17. 17 Preliminary Design / Cost Estimate “Through traffic” is significant and an all day, all week problem requiring physical measures, as opposed to signage alone, to be most effective Recommended Alternative entails an easterly shift in Albion Road, channelized islands and signal head modifications on Albion Road and an eastbound right-turn lane on Lester Road Estimated Class “D” construction cost of approximately $1.7 M Should diverted traffic trigger signal warrants at the Airport Parkway / Lester Road intersections ….. additional $150,000 to $250,000

18. 18 Interim Design Alternatives In light of the significant costs associated with the Recommended Alternative, an interim option could include Traffic Control Signal modifications and signs only: –Lower compliance levels anticipated –Higher enforcement requirements anticipated –Limited ability to provide exemptions to transit, emergency vehicles, etc. –Estimated constructions costs - $200,000

19. 19 Report Recommendations That the Transportation and Transit Committee recommend Council: 1.Receive the interim report as information. 2.Receive this presentation as information. 3.Approve the implementation of north/south through movement restrictions along Albion at Lester Road, subject to detailed design and technical circulation, including a determination of required exemptions to accommodate transit, emergency vehicles, pedestrians and cyclists, and to funding being available to undertake the associated traffic control signal and roadway modifications.

20. 20 If traffic management measures approved, then: -A functional plan of the approved concept would be circulated to technical agencies for comment (emergency services, utilities, etc.); and -Detailed design and construction timelines would be determined through the City’s budget process Next Steps