December 18, 1998

TO:Urban Environment and Development Committee

FROM:General Manager, Transportation Services

SUBJECT:F.G. Gardiner Expressway/Highway 427/Brown's Line Interchange Modifications

Proposed Environmental Assessment Study

WARD:Councillors Irene Jones and Blake Kinahan, Lake Shore - Queensway

Purpose:

To request authorization to undertake an Environmental Assessment (EA) Study, in partnership with the Canada Life Assurance Company, for modifications to the F.G. Gardiner Expressway/Highway 427/Brown's Line interchange.

Funding Sources, Financial Implications and Impact Statement:

The cost of engineering consultant assistance to undertake this EA Study will be borne by the Canada Life Assurance Company.

Recommendation:

It is recommended that the General Manager of Transportation Services, in partnership with the Canada Life Assurance Company, be authorized to conduct an Environmental Assessment Study for modifications to the F.G. Gardiner Expressway/Highway 427/Brown's Line interchange as described in the Sherway Centre Secondary Plan.

Background:

On November 25, 1996, Council for the former City of Etobicoke approved revisions to Official Plan Amendment No. 18-94, also known as the Sherway Centre Secondary Plan. Included in these revisions is a modified public road network as shown on Figure No. 1. The Sherway Secondary Plan was approved by the Ontario Municipal Board in May 1997.

A key conclusion in the Sherway Centre Secondary Plan was that, in order to achieve the maximum development densities outlined in the Plan, improved access to the abutting freeway system is necessary. Figure No. 1 illustrates the infrastructure modifications required for the F.G. Gardiner Expressway/Highway No. 427/Brown's Line interchange to accomplish this objective. These modifications would enhance accessibility to the Sherway Centre Secondary Plan area and maintain the operational performance of the interchange.

The Canada Life Assurance Company is the major owner of the Sherway Gardens Shopping Centre. They have indicated that they are interested in expanding this development, and as such wish to pursue the implementation of the road modifications that are required to support this expansion. In correspondence dated January 2, 1996, the Ministry of Transportation, Ontario indicated that while additional study is required, they are in general agreement with the revised interchange configuration that is currently described in the Sherway Centre Secondary Plan.

However, the Ministry of Transportation, Ontario also stated that the Province of Ontario will not assume proponency for this project, and that financial responsibility for the interchange improvements must be assumed by either the developer or the former City of Etobicoke. The Canada Life Assurance Company is currently discussing possible cost sharing arrangements with the Ministry of Transportation, Ontario.

As the proposed interchange modifications are on public roads, a public agency must act as the proponent of the modifications for the purposes of an EA Study. Subsequently, in October 1998, Adason Properties Limited, a subsidiary of the Canada Life Assurance Company, wrote to request that the City of Toronto act as the proponent. They further indicated that they would like to initiate the EA Study as quickly as possible so that the construction of the interchange modifications can be coordinated with the Ministry of Transportation's plans to rehabilitate Highway 427 from the F.G.Gardiner Expressway to Highway 401 in the year 2000.

Comments:

The proposed interchange modifications are subject to the Class Environmental Assessment process for Ministry of Transportation provincial highway projects. The EA Study will be lead by Transportation Division staff with the assistance of engineering consultants retained by the Canada Life Assurance Company. A steering committee will be formed and will include, at a minimum, representatives from the City of Toronto, the Ministry of Transportation, the Region of Peel, and the City of Mississauga.

The main components of the Class Environmental Assessment process are as follows:

(a)Assessment of Need and Justification;

(b)Identification and Evaluation of Alternative Transportation Solutions;

(c)Development and Evaluation of Alternative Design Concepts;

(d)Detailing of Preferred Design Concept; and

(e)Preparation of an Environmental Study Report.

The EA Study will build on the work already completed for the Sherway Centre Secondary Plan and will include consultation with affected municipal, provincial and federal agencies and with affected members of the public.

Conclusions:

To ensure that the transportation modifications in support of the development strategy adopted in the Sherway Centre Secondary Plan can be implemented, the City of Toronto should act as the proponent for these works. Accordingly, Council should authorize the General Manager, Transportation Services to conduct the necessary EA Study in partnership with the Canada Life Assurance Company.

Contact Name:

John P. Kelly, P. Eng.,

Manager, Infrastructure Planning

Phone: 392-9066

Fax: 392-4426

David C. Kaufman

General Manager, Transportation Services

Barry H. Gutteridge

Commissioner, Works and Emergency Services

JPK/jc