Minimizing impacts to properties is a key design consideration. Through the development of adjacent lands, we have been protecting land for the future widening of Steeles Avenue and James Snow Parkway. Land parcels have been identified as being required at limited locations as presented with a red dashed line (listed as proposed right-of-way) on the sketches presented at PIC#2 to accommodate the proposed improvements (PDF file). Temporary grading easements (as presented with a blue dashed line) will also be required to connect back to the existing ground elevation. Temporary grading easements grant property rights to a third party on a non-permanent basis for a specific duration (term) and purpose. When the term expires, the temporary easement is no longer in effect and removed from the title of the property. The property requirements will be further refined through the detailed design phase that will follow the completion of the MCEA study.

Noise studies are currently being completed to determine whether future noise impacts exceed the Region’s established sound level objectives and warrant noise mitigations (Halton Region Noise Abatement Guidelines, 2009), such as noise walls. The Environmental Study Report published at the completion of the study will include the findings of the assessment.

Safety remains our top priority for all transportation improvements. The preliminary preferred alternative designs for the James Snow Parkway and Steeles Avenue corridors are intended to improve safety and accessibility for all modes of travel, as well as to create space for pedestrians, cyclists and motorists. Protected intersection design features have been incorporated into the preliminary preferred design, for example, set-back crossings for pedestrians, which provide better sightlines for turning vehicles. All intersections will include pavement markings to clearly delineate pedestrian and cyclist crossing locations.

The recommended design for Regional Road 25 will provide space for pedestrians, cyclists and motorists. A multi-use path is proposed along the west side of Regional Road 25 from 5 Side Road to Chudleigh’s Entertainment Farm Access, and 3-metre-wide paved shoulders are proposed along both sides of the full corridor to provide a buffer between pedestrians and the travelled portion of the roadway.

James Snow Parkway and Steeles Avenue are identified as Transit Priority Corridors, and the preliminary preferred alternative design includes the provision for transit priority corridor infrastructure, such as future potential High Occupancy Vehicle lanes, transit signal priority and queue jump lanes, which are being considered as part of the ongoing Integrated Master Plan.

This MCEA Study is anticipated to be completed in Fall 2025. After the completion of this MCEA, the project will continue into the Detailed Design phase, followed by the Construction phase.

The preliminary preferred design identified through the MCEA Study includes turning lane improvements, as well as measures to coordinate traffic signal timing for both James Snow Parkway and Steeles Avenue to optimize traffic operations. Following the implementation of the roadway improvements for the three corridors, Halton Region will continue to monitor the corridors and use up-to-date traffic counts to optimize traffic signal timings for improved travel times.

The preliminary preferred alternative designs for the improvements to James Snow Parkway and Steeles Avenue include exclusive right-turn lanes at intersections where required, while taking into consideration minimizing the crossing distance for those walking and cycling.

Roundabouts are not recommended due to sightline deficiencies and property constraints.

The Regional road system connects Halton’s rural and urban centres while providing connections to the provincial highway system and the local road network. All Regional roads are designed to support all modes of travel, including truck traffic, with some seasonal restrictions. James Snow Parkway and Steeles Avenue are designed to support the weight and size of transport trucks and accommodate turning movements at intersections. Regional Road 25 will also be designed to support the weight and size of transport trucks along with farming equipment.

Active transportation facilities are being proposed for each road and include a variety of one-way cycle tracks, sidewalks, multi-use paths and buffered paved shoulders. Please visit the PIC 2 presentation for additional information.