What is a Transportation Master Plan?
A Transportation Master Plan (TMP) is a long-term strategy to guide the planning, expansion and management of a multi-modal transportation system. A TMP provides strategies and policies that align with the County of Simcoe’s growth and support its vision for the future transportation system.
The County of Simcoe is developing an update to the TMP that will outline transportation infrastructure needs and priorities to 2051.
The TMP Update will:
- Develop a forward-looking plan for all types of travel: driving, transit, cycling, walking, commercial vehicles, air and rail freight
- Provide connectivity between transportation modes to move people and goods sustainably, efficiently and safely based on mobility solutions
- Define policies and long-term strategies that will result in the protection of transportation corridors for all modes
- Coordinate and collaborate with private sector, government agencies and municipalities
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Solicit and integrate public consultation and contributions from across the County
Study Process
This study is being conducted in accordance with the requirements of Phases 1 and 2 of the Municipal Class Environmental Assessment, which is an approved process under the
Environmental Assessment Act. The EA process includes extensive public engagement and consultation. Two rounds of engagement are being held, providing opportunities for members of the public to provide input and feedback throughout the study. Round 1 was held in March and April 2021.
Phase 1 Identify Multi-Modal Needs and Opportunities
Phase 2 Assess Alternative Solutions *WE ARE HERE*
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Further develop the travel demand model
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Compile a list of potential transportation improvements
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Develop and assess alternative planning solutions
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Identify preferred solution and network recommendations
Phase 3 Develop TMP Strategies and Recommendations
Phase 4 Prepare Transportation Master Plan
Public Consultation - May 2022
In May 2022, the County held a virtual public information centre. This was an interactive engagement space, to view project display boards, and to take part in a public opinion survey and submit feedback and comments.
Notice was first published April 28, 2022 and the platforms closed on May 29, 2022. Using an interactive map, participants were invited to tell us their ideas, issues or any other comments on their experiences driving on county roads, taking transit, riding your bicycle or walking in the County.
Alternative formats of this content is available below, including an audio video presentation on YouTube.
- Click
here for PDF versions of the consultation display boards
- Click
here for an audio/video presentation of the materials
Information gathered through the public consultation will help inform the Transportation Master Plan.
Previous Public Consultation
As part of Phase 1, Notice of the first Public Information Centre was first published on on March 25, 2021. This session included a virtual open house to view project display boards and to participate in a public opinion survey and interactive map to submit feedback and comments.
The information presented at the virtual open house is available for public viewing through the following links:
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Click here for PDF versions of the consultation display boards.
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Click here for an audio/video presentation of the materials.
For a summary of the first round of engagement, including the survey findings, please view the following reports published on November 09, 2021:
Register for Project Updates
If you would like to be kept informed of projects updates, please click the button below to enter your contact information. For more information, please contact
tmp@simcoe.ca.
| The Study | The Study | <p style="font-family:"droid sans", sans-serif;">In October 2020, the County of Simcoe awarded IBI Group Professional Services (Canada) Inc. (IBI Group) the assignment to prepare an update to the County's 2014 Transportation Master Plan (TMP). The update is intended to build on the <a href="/Planning/Pages/tmp2014.aspx" target="_blank">2014 TMP</a> and provide direction for the planning, coordination and implementation of a multi-municipal road and transit network, active transportation amenities, and commuter facilities for the next 30 years and beyond. This update will also guide the development and implementation of policies, in consideration of the ongoing need to examine existing and future transportation needs within the County.</p><p style="font-family:"droid sans", sans-serif;">Since the last Transportation Master Plan update in 2014, the County has established the LINX Transit System which is a conventional public transit system that links major urban hubs and local transit services in the County of Simcoe. <a href="/_layouts/15/FIXUPREDIRECT.ASPX?WebId=a41fbfa1-82ca-4939-9932-d97b8d6ad3e9&TermSetId=fb933945-005d-43ad-bb62-b84ef1fa9284&TermId=74d758bd-e19d-43e9-a374-02ce27d234b3" target="_blank">The LINX Transit</a> system provides residents, businesses and visitors a reliable and courteous transit system in clean, safe, and accessible vehicles.<br></p><p style="font-family:"droid sans", sans-serif;">The County has also recently become the majority owner of the Lake Simcoe Regional Airport (LSRA). The LSRA is fully serviced by the Canada Border Service Agency and offers a convenient location in close proximity to the Greater Toronto Area and central Ontario.</p><p style="font-family:"droid sans", sans-serif;">The TMP update will clearly describe the steps and actions required of the County and its partners in order to get from today to the network and landscape envisioned to 2031 (short-term), 2041 (medium-term), 2051 (long-term), and horizon (2065).</p><p style="font-family:"droid sans", sans-serif;">The Study is scheduled to take one year and will result in a final County of Simcoe TMP Update. The TMP Update will be an action-oriented document intended for a broad audience. Staff will continue to inform County Council of the TMP progress and actively involve local municipalities.<br></p><p style="font-family:"droid sans", sans-serif;">The <a href="/Planning/Documents/SimcoeTMP_Commencement_2021-02-05_FINAL.pdf" title="A link to a PDF of the Notice of Study Commencement " target="_blank">Notice of Study Commencement</a> first published February 8, 2021.<span style="font-family:"droid sans", sans-serif;font-size:1em;"></span></p> | | |
| 2014 Transportation Master Plan Update | 2014 Transportation Master Plan Update | <p style="font-stretch:normal;line-height:24.63px;font-family:"droid sans", sans-serif;">The updated Plan establishes a transportation strategy that includes transit, cyclists, pedestrians, cars, and trucks. In consultation with MMM Group, the County endeavoured to update the 2008 Transportation Master Plan taking into consideration a multi-modal forward thinking approach. <br></p><p style="font-stretch:normal;line-height:24.63px;font-family:"droid sans", sans-serif;">Due to the size of the original document, the Final Transportation Master Plan (TMP) is available for review in four parts. Each part contains several chapters of the report.<br></p><p style="font-stretch:normal;line-height:24.63px;font-family:"droid sans", sans-serif;"><a title="Link to a PDF copy of TMP Part 1" href="/Planning/Documents/Simcoe%20TMP%20Final%20Report%20_1%20-%20October%2020,%202014.pdf" target="_blank">Part 1 of the TMP</a> includes the following chapters:</p><ul style="font-stretch:normal;line-height:24.63px;font-family:"droid sans", sans-serif;"><li>Executive Summary</li><li>Chapter 3.0 - What is Guiding the Development of the Master Plan </li><li>Chapter 4.0 - Transportation Vision for Simcoe County</li></ul><a title="Link to a PDF copy of TMP Part 2" href="/Planning/Documents/Simcoe%20TMP%20Final%20Report%20_2%20-%20October%2020,%202014.pdf" target="_blank" style="font-stretch:normal;line-height:24.63px;font-family:"droid sans", sans-serif;"><font face="Arial">Part 2 of the TMP</font></a><span style="font-stretch:normal;line-height:24.63px;font-family:"droid sans", sans-serif;"><font face="Arial"> includes the following chapters:</font></span><ul style="font-stretch:normal;line-height:24.63px;font-family:"droid sans", sans-serif;"><li>Chapter 5.0 - Roads</li><li>Chapter 6.0 - Context-Sensitive Road Design</li><li>Chapter 7.0 - Roundabout Feasibility Guidelines<br></li><li>Chapter 8.0 - The Future of Transit<br></li><li>Chapter 9.0 - Active Transportation<span style="text-decoration-line:underline;"></span></li><li>Chapter 10.0 - Other Multi-Modal Transportation Options</li><li>Chapter 11.0 - Transportation Demand Management</li></ul><a title="Link to a PDF copy of TMP Part 3" href="/Planning/Documents/Simcoe%20TMP%20Final%20Report%20_3%20-%20October%2020,%202014.pdf" target="_blank" style="font-stretch:normal;line-height:24.63px;font-family:"droid sans", sans-serif;"><font face="Arial">Part 3 of the TMP</font></a><span style="font-stretch:normal;line-height:24.63px;font-family:"droid sans", sans-serif;"><font face="Arial"> includes the following chapters:</font></span><ul style="font-stretch:normal;line-height:24.63px;font-family:"droid sans", sans-serif;"><li>Chapter 12.0 - Staged Implementation Plan</li><li>Chapter 13.0 - Supporting Policies and Actions</li><li>Chapter 14.0 - Monitoring Plan</li><li>Chapter 15.0 - Transportation Input to the Development Charges By-law</li><li>Chapter 16.0 - Public Information Centre Round 2</li></ul><p style="font-stretch:normal;line-height:24.63px;font-family:"droid sans", sans-serif;"><a title="Link to a PDF copy of TMP Appendix" href="/Planning/Documents/Appendix%20-%20Simcoe%20TMP%20-%20October%2020,%202014%20Revised%20November%2027%202014.pdf" target="_blank">Part 4 of the TMP</a> contains the Appendix.<br><br><br><br><br></p> | | |
| 2008 Transportation Master Plan | 2008 Transportation Master Plan | <p style="font-stretch:normal;line-height:24.63px;font-family:"droid sans", sans-serif;">The full <a href="/Planning/Documents/Final%20Transportation%20Master%20Plan%20JulyAug%202008.pdf" target="_blank" style="color:#000000;">2008 Transportation Master Plan</a> is available. </p><p style="font-stretch:normal;line-height:24.63px;font-family:"droid sans", sans-serif;">The appendices of the report are available below:</p><ul style="font-stretch:normal;line-height:24.63px;font-family:"droid sans", sans-serif;"><li><a href="/Planning/Documents/TMP%20Appendix%20A%20Public%20Consultation%20Summary%20-%20July%202008.pdf" target="_blank">Appendix A - Public Consultation</a></li><li><a href="/Planning/Documents/TMP%20Appendix%20B%20Public%20Attitude%20Survey%20-%20July%202008.pdf" target="_blank">Appendix B - Public Attitude Survey</a></li><li><a href="/Planning/Documents/TMP%20Appendix%20C%20Needs%20and%20Opportunities%20Report%20-%20July%202008.pdf" target="_blank">Appendix C - Needs & Opportunities Report</a></li><li><a href="/Planning/Documents/TMP%20Appendix%20D%20Existing%20and%20Future%20Population%20and%20Employment%20Estimates%20by%20Traffic%20Zone%20-%20July%202008.pdf" target="_blank">Appendix D - Existing/Future Population & Employment Estimates</a></li><li><a href="/Planning/Documents/TMP%20Appendix%20E%20Transportation%20Strategy%20Report%20-%20July%202008.pdf" target="_blank">Appendix E - Strategies Report</a></li><li><a href="/Planning/Documents/TMP%20Appendix%20F%20Road%20Rationalization%20Classification%20-%20July%202008.pdf" target="_blank">Appendix F - Road Rationalization/Classification</a></li><li><a href="/Planning/Documents/TMP%20Appendix%20G%20-%20Road%20Network%20Alt%20Evaluation.pdf" target="_blank">Appendix G - Road Network Alternative Evaluation</a></li><li><a href="/Planning/Documents/TMP%20Appendix%20H%20-%20Localized%20Improvement%20Summary.pdf" target="_blank">Appendix H - Localized Improvements</a><br></li></ul><p><br></p> | | |
| Transit Study | Transit Study | <h4>Simcoe County Transit Feasibility & Implementation Study</h4><p>The Simcoe County Transit Feasibility and Implementation Study, in consultation with Steer Davies Gleave, is intended to build on the 2014 Transportation Master Plan update and to focus on the feasibility of a range of transit partnerships, service options, delivery methods, as well as a staged implementation and monitoring strategy supported by financial and funding recommendations. Your comments are welcome at any time. Please use the contact information at the bottom of this page to share your ideas and experiences. </p><p>The County held the first series of Public Information Centres between June 15-18, 2015. The Public Information <a title="Link to a PDF document" href="/Planning/Documents/PIC%20Boards%20Draft%20V3.pdf" target="_blank">story boards are available here</a> for your review. </p><p style="text-align:left;">Since the last round of public consultation in June, a draft network of new transit connections was developed. Some of these transit connections could potentially be implemented within the next five years. Preliminary directions related to fares and funding for the proposed services and connections are also being considered.</p><p>The County held two Public Workshops on November 9th and 17th to present the draft network of new transit connections, discuss ideas on fares and transit funding, and gather feedback. </p><p>In addition to study findings, input received through workshops, consultation, and survey results will inform and help develop the draft recommendations addressing the feasibility and implementation of a County transit service. <br><br></p><h4>Study Background and Purpose</h4><p>The County of Simcoe and its constituent municipalities have been actively exploring transportation options that address future needs for several years. Pursuing a county‐wide regional transit plan fits well with the overall focus of the County's transportation strategy, which emphasizes the integration of land use and transportation, access and mobility, and multi‐modal integration.<br></p><p>The Simcoe County Transit Feasibility and Implementation Study is an opportunity to respond to the challenge of supporting transit initiatives in and between smaller urban communities and the larger centres, as well as understanding and addressing the needs of vast rural areas and spread out geographically.</p><p>A well-planned transit system is an effective option in the suite of transportation modes. An integrated transit system with supportive land uses is able to enhance mobility for residents, connect employment areas and community services, and reduce the dependence on single occupant vehicle travel.</p><p>This study is an important opportunity to take the development of the options for transit service to the next level and demonstrate how a comprehensive approach to transit in the County can improve transportation choice and community access, while ensuring that services can be provided in an affordable manner— managing these topics certainly helps, from a practical perspective, to raise its opportunity for implementation.</p><p>This study will build on this extensive body of work and the experience of the local municipalities to define the feasibility of a broader county service that:</p><ul style="list-style-type:disc;"><li>serves local communities</li><li>connects urban centres</li><li>facilitates local, inter-municipal and inter‐regional commuter travel</li><li>supports the broader economic, environmental and social objectives of development in Simcoe County<br><br></li></ul><h4>Study Process and Public Engagement</h4><p>
<a title="Study process and public engagement" href="/Planning/PublishingImages/Transit%20Study%20Progress%20Chart.JPG"><img alt="Study process and public engagement" src="/Planning/PublishingImages/Transit%20Study%20Progress%20Chart.JPG" style="margin:5px;" /></a>The engagement process will take place in two parts. In Part One –
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<strong>Developing the Vision and Assessing Options</strong></em> – the Project Team will prepare and develop feedback on the following:<br></p><ul style="list-style-type:disc;"><li>A needs and opportunities assessment;<br></li><li>A vision, goals and objectives;</li><li>Service delivery approaches; and,</li><li>Service options. </li></ul><p>Participants' views and perspectives in this part of the engagement process will be used to help inform the development and refinement of the overall vision for County-wide transit, and the testing and selection of a preferred service concept(s).</p><p>In Part Two –
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<em>Implementing the Preferred Service Concept </em></strong>– the Project Team will develop and seek feedback on the following:</p><ul style="list-style-type:disc;"><li>A prioritization plan;</li><li>Specialized transit and Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) considerations;</li><li>Potential fares and funding sources for transit services; and</li><li>An implementation and financial plan.</li></ul><p>Participants' input in Part Two will be used by the Project Team to help inform the Study's overall draft recommendations, including potential refinements to the preferred service concept in light of prioritization, AODA, funding and implementation considerations.<br><br></p><h4>Relevant Documents</h4><p>We have include links to reports with detailed information on the transit feasibility and implementation study – these are more detailed versions of the materials that are being shared at the public meetings. This page will be updated with new information as the study progresses. The study is comprised of three interim reports:</p><ul><li>
<a title="A link to a PDF" href="/Planning/Documents/Interim%20Report%201%20-%20Needs%20and%20Opportunities.pdf" target="_blank">Interim Report #1 – Needs and Opportunities</a></li><li>
<a title="Link to a PDF" href="/Planning/Documents/Final%20Second%20interim%20report%20v1.0.pdf" target="_blank">Interim Report #2 – September 2015</a></li><li>
<a href="/Planning/Documents/Third%20interim%20report%20v3%200%20FINAL.pdf">Interim Report #3 – August 2016</a></li><ul><li>This Interim Report was presented to the
<a href="/Planning/Documents/CCW16-312.docx" target="_blank">Committee of the Whole in report CCW-16-312</a> on September 7, 2016 and was accompanied by a
<a href="/Planning/Documents/Sept%207%20Transit%20Presentation%20to%20County%20Council.pdf" target="_blank">presentation</a>. </li></ul></ul><p>There are a number of past studies that are being drawn on to help inform the transit feasibility and implementation study. Links to these documents are available below:</p><ul><li><a title="A website link" href="/_layouts/15/FIXUPREDIRECT.ASPX?WebId=a41fbfa1-82ca-4939-9932-d97b8d6ad3e9&TermSetId=fb933945-005d-43ad-bb62-b84ef1fa9284&TermId=8069736d-d1a1-4314-8f85-c364b64d0f6a">Simcoe County Official Plan</a></li><li>
<a title="A link to a PDF document" href="/Planning/Documents/Needs_Assessment_Meeting3_2014-03-25.pdf" target="_blank">Ministry of Transportation Simcoe Area Multimodal Transportation Study</a></li><li>
<a title="A website link" href="http://www.simcoemuskokahealth.org/JFY/OurCommunity/healthyplaces/MOHreport_copy1.aspx">Improving Health by Design in the Greater Toronto-Hamilton Area</a></li></ul><br> | | |
Notice of Collection/Use/Disclosure
All information is collected in accordance with the
Environmental Assessment Act, RSO 1990 Chapter E.18 Part II Section 5.1.Information will be used to inform the project team in the development of recommendations to support the study vision and objectives. All submissions become part of the public record, and disclosed in full in accordance with the
Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (MFIPPA). Questions about this notice of collection should be directed to the Project Manager at
tmp@simcoe.ca, or (705) 726-9300 ext. 1912.
