September 23, 2011
Our File: E.01

Dear Ms. Chotai:

Thank you for your e-mail dated September 14, 2011 regarding the Second Line Bridge. In 1997, the City of Mississauga entered into an agreement with the Ministry of Transportation (MTO) pursuant to which the City undertook the design and construction of the Mavis Road and Highway 401 interchange. As part of this agreement, the Second Line West bridge over Highway 401 would be eliminated to accommodate the highway widening and a replacement of the vehicle bridge would only be considered if justified from a traffic perspective and also if fully funded by the City (estimated cost $15 million). The MTO's Highway 401 widening project - Phase II includes the expansion of Highway 401 from east of the Mavis Road interchange to east of the Credit River. This initiative was documented in a Transportation Environmental Study Report which was filed for public view and input in August 2005 and the final clearance was obtained in 2007. The subdivision development south of Highway 401 was designed with a discontinuous Second Line West road pattern and the removal of the bridge.

Due to concerns received from the Ward Councillor, staff have completed a review of traffic conditions along Second Line West including Sombrero Way, which provides a direct connection to and from Mavis Road. Existing and future traffic conditions were reviewed for the two scenarios i.e. with and without the Second Line West bridge. The review paid particular attention to the potential construction of a pedestrian/cyclist connection in place of the existing vehicular bridge across the widened Highway 401.

The traffic analysis indicates that low traffic volumes on Second Line West across Highway 401 would not warrant the reconstruction of a vehicular bridge, particularly in view of the estimated construction costs. As well, a Part II Order was issued during the MTO's Environmental Assessment process for which Ministry of Environment (MOE) imposed several conditions of approval. One of the MOE's Conditions of approval rested with closure of the Second Line West structure and naturalization of Meadowvale Station Woods area. In addition, a new overpass at the existing location of Second Line West will conflict with the construction of a proposed storm water management pond immediately north of the highway, as approved in the MTO's TESR . The above issues would create an extremely challenging position for construction of a new vehicular bridge at the existing location of the Second Line West overpass.

As indicated, the study looked at the impact on Sombrero Way, as you suggested subsequent to the removal of the bridge. It is recognized that significant traffic volumes exist on Sombrero Way, particularly during the morning peak hour. This volume exists even though the bridge across the highway remains open to traffic, under existing conditions, and is primarily related to the design of the road networks north and south of the highway. Although the removal of the bridge may result in an increase in traffic using Sombrero Way generated from neighbourhoods located to the north, there will also be a similar reduction in traffic generated from south of Highway 401.

Constructing a new vehicular bridge will not improve existing traffic conditions on Sombrero Way. T he traffic modelling exercise suggested that the long term traffic impact on Sombrero Way will be marginal, and may benefit from the implementation of traffic mitigation measures. Many motorists will search for other routes in and out of the Meadowvale Village community, particularly those originating from points northerly. The City's Transportation and Works staff will be undertaking a separate exercise to identify what mitigation measures may be available to help with traffic along Sombrero Way.

In summary, low traffic volumes observed across the bridge combined with an ability to address traffic infiltration issues on Sombrero Way, the need to satisfy the MOE Condition and the need for the storm water management capacity requirements would not justify the high costs of constructing a new vehicular bridge over the widened Highway 401. The MTO is working on an ambitious schedule of detail design with an objective of commencing construction in 2013. They have indicated a reluctance to accommodate any additions or revisions to the approved TESR. That said, City staff have been working closely with the MTO and their design consultant on the feasibility of the construction of a pedestrian/cyclist facility on Second Line West crossing Highway 401 to accommodate pedestrian and cycling needs. This cycling route was identified as a significant connection in the Mississauga Cycling Master Plan. Staff will be bringing a report forward in October regarding the costs associated with building a cycling/pedestrian facility across Highway 401 in the area of Second Line.

Once again, thank you for taking the time and effort to write to me.

Sincerely,
HAZEL McCALLION, C.M., LL.D.
MAYOR