County planning to widen Yonge, from Line 9 to 89

By Miriam King Bradford Times December 2 2010
It’s legislated: Simcoe County is one of Ontario’s “Places to Grow”, and the Simcoe Region (including Barrie and Orillia) is expected to reach a population of 667,000 by 2031.
Developing the road infrastructure to support that growth is part of the County’s Growth Strategy – and improving Yonge St. (County Rd. 4) is on the list of priorities.

Traffic studies show that northbound County Rd. 4 is at capacity at the 9th Line of Bradford West Gwillimbury during the evening rush, and at 89% capacity southbound, during the morning rush. Within the next 10 years, the former provincial Hwy 11 is expected to be over-capacity, with more congestion, longer line-ups, and longer wait-times for traffic on the Concession Lines, attempting to enter the stream of traffic.
The County began a Class Environmental Assessment, to look at possible solutions, back in April. At a Public Information Centre held in Bradford on Nov. 23, for the stretch of road from the 8th Line BWG to County Rd. 89, the preferred solution was identified as widening County Rd. 4 to 4 lanes, from its current 2-lane rural profile.
The Environmental Assessment is now considering alternatives: Should Yonge be widened using the existing centre-line, or widened only on the east or west side? Should it be a 4-lane rural road with a flush median, or should there be a continuous 5th centre lane, to facilitate turns? Should there be a curbed asphalt or landscape median between northbound and southbound traffic?
Whatever the preferred option, there will be a need for land acquisition along Yonge – with the potential for conflicts with existing uses, including 4 pioneer and active cemeteries.
“We protect all the cemeteries. We’ll protect everything,” said Jim Hunter, Director of Transportation Construction with the County of Simcoe – noting the importance of public input at this stage of the process.
But Sharon Smith, owner of Yours Truly Country Store at the corner of Yonge and Gilford Rd., was still worried. If Yonge is widened equally on both sides of the road, as shown in the drawings presented at the PIC, she’ll lose all of the parking at the front of her store – and face problems of snow, salt and traffic practically at her doorstep.
“I had negative thoughts from the beginning, but now it’s even worse. How are they going to do this?” she wondered.
Other areas of concern: the entrances to commercial businesses, including Bradford Greenhouses, and the intersection with the 11th Line BWG, Coulson’s Hill. Hunter explained that, in addition to turn lanes, the engineers will be looking at cutting back the road profile to improve visibility at that intersection.
The Public Information Centre also looked at “Project A” – intersection improvements at both County Rd. 89 (ShoreAcres Dr.), and Line 9 BWG.
The “technically preferred” solution at 89 is to add 2 through lanes (one northbound, one southbound), plus a right turn lane for eastbound traffic, and adjust the traffic signals. It’s also the option with the highest capital and land acquisition costs.
The options considered for the 9th Line BWG included simply adding traffic signals – or the technically-preferred alternative: no traffic lights, but widening Yonge to 4 lanes, plus left turn lanes for both northbound and southbound traffic, and a right turn taper. The study also calls for improved illumination at the intersection.
Public comments are welcomed until Dec. 7, and a second PIC is planned for Spring 2011. The projects are expected to go to design phase in 2012, with property acquisition and relocation of utilities in the summer and fall of 2012, and construction in 2013/14 – “at (County) Council’s direction.”