The 407 ETR extension Environmental Assessment team has released the proposed route for the extension into Durham Region, and you can see it at http://www.407eastea.com/map_pop.html.
From a transit perspective, the interesting thing is that a right of way has been reserved along both the 407 and the two north-south connector highways (one in western Whitby, the other in western Clarington). The detailed design of these transitways has not yet been completed, and is being handled as a separate process according to research by Karem Allen of Transit Nightmares (see her blog, link at right). However, I fully expect that the transitways will be built as Bus Rapid Transit roadways, and will connect into the GO Transit BRT plans that were funded as part of the MoveOntario 2020 announcement several weeks ago. If so, this will provide an excellent infrastructure for DRT buses to use in connecting Durham to the TTC.
It’s early days, yet, and these roadways won’t exist for quite some time. However, I urge you to take a look at the plans and send in comments that promote an early construction date for the transitways.
In addition, I’d like to see Durham Region plan for a BRT route from Whitby GO Station to the 407 connector. This could be a small two-line private road leading out of the GO Station, probably on the 401 right of way. Properly done, this would allow DRT vehicles to exit the GO Station and quickly reach the connector highway, which would then quickly take the buses to the more northern parts of Whitby and Ajax, even at the height of rush hour.
An extension of the planned 401 BRT from its current planned terminus at Pickering GO (Liverpool) to the connector highway would provide the same connectivity to Ajax GO Station. However, the Whitby connection would be shorter and the land seems to be mostly available, according to a quick look at the area in Google Earth.
This isn’t a cheap project, and we’re talking at least ten years out, but it would be worth doing preliminary studies and planning so that construction could occur at the same time the 407 extension is built.
Yes Dan from MTO Called me back and cleared up my confusion. I am waiting for an email from him for me to post, will take some time but he will.
The EA provides for a width of highway road allowance and a ROW for A transitway. The ROW can not be just added to future lanes as they would have to go through the process again and the people no doubt would not allow that to happen– we hope.
I asked him to update the web with Transitway information as it is confusing and vague, he agreed.
It would more then likely start being constructed of course in the North of Toronto area.
I still feel it should be built at the same time as the highway and that part is not decided.
It is a long way off that is for sure.
Any ideas of the forum to objections to the 407 proposed route? I live in Brooklin, and the proposed route cuts so close to our nice village there’s no doubt we’re going to hear cars zooming by 24/7. Folks move to Brooklin to get away from the city … this is that last thing anyone would want.
Any pointers of where to direct any comments would be sincerely appreciated!!
Rob, I believe the form is here:
http://www.407eastea.com/comment_sheet.html
However, it appears that they were only accepting submissions until the end of August. You may have missed the window.
Hi David! Thanks so much. You’re right with the date but i’ll fire away anyways
Thanks again!
I agree with Rob. When I saw the proposed site for the highway I was horrified. Who thought that would be a good idea?