Frequently Asked Questions

 

1. Glossary of Terms

Transportation Problems and Opportunities: Transportation problems and opportunities are identified from one or more of the following sources: 

  • Transportation network plans; 
  • Inventories of the provincial transportation system; 
  • Traffic, collision, service and maintenance data; 
  • Modelling/projection of future transportation demands and desires based on planned future conditions, as articulated in provincial policy, Municipal Official Plans, etc.; 
  • Federal, provincial and municipal agency input; 
  • Private industry initiatives; and 
  • Other information sources.
An example of a transportation problem is: A lack of transportation system capacity to serve existing or future travel demands (gridlock).

An example of a transportation opportunity is: Improving a transportation system by removing excess traffic from local neighbourhood roads.

Problems and/or opportunities statements provide the basis for identifying a range of reasonable alternative solutions to the undertaking.

Alternatives to the Undertaking: Alternatives to are functionally different ways of addressing the problem or opportunity. Alternatives that may be considered, include:
  • Do nothing (base case for comparison); 
  • Planned road and transit improvements ;
  • Travel Demand Management Measures (refer to definition below)
  • Transportation System Management Measures (refer to definition below)
  • Other public transit initiatives
  • Other additional area road improvements
Alternative Methods: Transportation engineering standards, significant environmental features, and environmental impacts are considered in route development, assessment and selection. If the preferred alternative to the undertaking is new or improved transportation facilities, alternative methods would examine "route location alternatives".

Concept Design: A Concept Design is prepared for the recommended alternative method (route). The level of engineering design information must be sufficient to support EA approval under the Ontario Environmental Assessment Act, and where required, a decision under the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act on whether adverse environmental effects are significant or not (after mitigation).

A Concept Design for a transportation facility typically includes the following elements: 
  • Location of the transportation facility; and 
  • The types of transportation system connections and supporting associated infrastructure, including, for example:
    • Alignment and cross section,
    • Interchanges,
    • Transitway stations (if known),
    • Grade separation with intersecting railways, highways or roads,
    • Valley and watercourse crossing types,
    • Drainage and stormwater management, and
    • Noise mitigation.
Regulatory Agency: The term Regulatory Agency refers to a federal or provincial body (e.g., a Department, Ministry, and Agency etc.) that may have expertise or a mandate relevant to the Western Vaughan Transportation Improvement Individual Environmental Assessment.

Travel Demand Management Measures: These measures could reduce peak period auto demand in the study area by residents and businesses in Vaughan. Possible measures could include ride-sharing initiatives, implementation of High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lanes, reduced parking standards, and mandatory parking charges.

Transportation System Management Measures: These measures could affect peak period vehicle flow in the study area by improving the efficiency of existing arterial roads and / or discouraging the use of residential collector and local roads by long distance and through traffic. Possible measures could include intersection improvements, traffic signal coordination, and traffic control measures such as speed bumps.

2. How does the Environmental Assessment process work?

The first step, in accordance with the Ontario Environmental Assessment Act (OEAA), is the development of an EA Terms of Reference (ToR). This document develops a framework for completing the EA. The Environmental Assessment TOR requires approval by the Minister of the Environment, prior to proceeding to the Individual EA. Following approval of the EA by the Minister of Environment, the proponent may proceed with design and construction. These stages also are regulated by the Canada Environmental Assessment Act (CEAA) and require additional environmental studies and consultation.

3.What is an Environmental Assessment Terms of Reference Study?

An Environmental Assessment (EA) Terms of Reference (ToR) is a document, which outlines how the Individual EA will be conducted and how provincial and Federal legislative requirements will be met. Specifically it outlines the process for identifying: transportation planning/need, alternatives to the undertaking, definition of an EA study area, the range and types of alternatives to be considered, how they will be generated and evaluated, how impacts will be assessed, and how the consultation process will be undertaken. An EA Terms of Reference must be submitted to the Minister of Environment for review and approved prior to initiating the EA.

The consultation program for the Western Vaughan IEA Terms of Reference included a Public Open House Drop-in Centre, individual meetings and a site tour with key review agencies and notification and circulation of the draft Terms of Reference for review and comment.

4.Why is the City of Vaughan no longer involved in this project?

In January 2002, the City of Vaughan initiated a Municipal Class Environmental Assessment for obtaining approvals for improvements to Pine Valley Drive between Rutherford Road and Langstaff Road. In early 2004, the Ministry of the Environment received a number of letters requesting that the study be undertaken as an Individual Environmental Assessment. The Minister agreed and directed York Region and the City of Vaughan to prepare a Terms of Reference for the Pine Valley Drive Corridor Individual Environmental Assessment. When the Minister approved the Terms of Reference in February 2006, the Minister amended the ToR to exclude any alternative proposed to be located through the Boyd Conservation Area from consideration. The City of Vaughan has no jurisdictional authority over any road section to be considered for improvement and is therefore no longer a proponent of the project.

5. How do I get more information?

The Project web site will provide information and various reports over the course of the study. Reports and presentations will be available for downloading as they become available. Documents will also be provided to municipalities and may be made available for public review at their offices.