Williams Parkway Redevelopment

Project Overview

The Williams Parkway redesign is focused on delivering a Complete Streets experience for residents. This means the design and operation of our streets will provide for the needs of users of all ages and abilities, including pedestrians, cyclists, transit users, and drivers.

Following the June 23^rd, 2021 presentation to Council, staff has been directed to move forward with the detailed design of Williams Parkway that includes:

Four general purpose lanes,
Resurfacing of the existing road,
Installation of a multi-use path on both sides of the road, and
Enhanced streetscaping in the boulevards.

Staff will also be reviewing options to install noise walls beyond the limits where the current noise wall is.

The goal for the Williams Parkway redesign is to provide streets for people – a safe and comfortable street experience that provides options for multiple modes of transportation with environmentally friendly features such as trees and enhanced landscaping.

Detailed design for the approved road construction will take place over the next few years in coordination with the Region of Peel and the Ministry of Transportation.

Proposed view between Vodden and Mclaughlin

View between Vodden St. & McLaughlin Rd., looking west

View at Elderwood Pl. intersection, looking east

View between Kennedy Rd. & Centre St., looking west

View between Dixie Rd. & North Park Dr., looking west 

Please note: The images shown above depict a concept design but may be subject to change based on the detailed design. The proposed landscaping, trees, and center median planting beds are planned to be low maintenance and the images shown above are for rendering purposes only.

Project Timeline

2006 - 2011: Environmental Assessment
As part of the 2004, 2009, and 2015 Transportation Master Plans and the 10-Year Capital Roads Program, Williams Parkway was identified to be widened to six lanes from North Park Drive to McLaughlin Road.

Beginning in 2006, City staff conducted a Class Environmental Assessment which evaluated, and ultimately recommended, a six-lane widening and a new noise wall on Williams Parkway. The study included two public meetings and was completed in 2011.
2012 - 2018: Noise Wall Detailed Design
Based on the approved Environmental Assessment, detailed designs for the Williams Parkway noise wall were completed between 2012 and 2018.

When a road is planned to be widened to six lanes, as per the Noise Policy approved by Council, a noise wall is recommended for installation to mitigate traffic noise for neighbouring homes.
2018 - 2020: Noise Wall Construction
Noise wall installation began ahead of the proposed six-lane road widening to minimize noise from the future road construction.

The Notices of Construction below were delivered to the affected addresses from West of Harridine Road to East of North Park Drive:
- Noise Wall Notice 1
- Noise Wall Notice 2
Noise wall construction was completed in June 2020.
2019 - 2020: Project Review Requested
In Fall 2019, City Council requested a review of the road widening recommendation as Council priorities changed. Detailed design for the six-lane road widening was paused at 60% completion.
On June 15 2020, four road construction options were presented at a City Council workshop. See resources below for more information.
Summer 2020: Online Survey Conducted
During July and August 2020, feedback from the public was collected through an online public survey. Residents weighed in on the road construction options below:
- Option 1: 6 lanes (4 General Purpose, 2 HOV & Transit)
- Option 2: 4 General Purpose lanes
- Option 3: 4 General Purpose lanes and reduced median
- Option 4: Resurfacing the existing road
Fall 2020: Road Redevelopment Approved
In November 2020, Council approved an amended Option 4 (road resurfacing with active transportation and enhanced landscaping) in response to public feedback.
July 2021: Staff Report
A feasibility study addressing the approved direction for resurfacing, active transportation, and landscape improvements formed the basis of a July 2021 staff report. The revised project scope seeks to maximize people-moving capacity and public realm design.
Fall 2021: Noise Wall Online Survey
Council directed staff to gather public input on whether to stain the existing noise wall or not, the preferred colour options of a potential stain, or the addition of public art.

An online survey was made available to the public from October 22 to November 30, 2021.
2021 - 2023: Road Resurfacing Detailed Design
Detailed design for the approved road redevelopment will take place over the next few years in coordination with the Region of Peel and the Ministry of Transportation.

Road construction is scheduled to start in Fall 2023, subject to Council Approval as a joint project with Region of Peel for watermain works.

‭(Hidden)‬ Frequently Asked Questions

Why is there a pattern on this wall when others are plain?: The noise wall along Williams Parkway will be approximately six kilometres long. Due to the limited right of way to plant soft landscaping, the City looked to animate the streetscape in other ways by contemplating a different design for the wall. Staff consulted with a landscape architect company with knowledge and expertise in noise walls, and explored many concepts for blending texture, colour and architectural elements to provide visual interest. The City also worked with various noise wall manufacturers to create a design that would be aesthetically pleasing, have minimal maintenance requirements, and a long service life. As a result, the noise wall became a unique opportunity to express high quality civic design and distinguish the road as a former “parkway".
Was 6 lane general purpose widening considered for any options?: Widening the road to 6 general purpose lanes was not considered for any options as it does not align with the objectives of the Council endorsed Brampton 2040 Vision, which envisioned a move away from the single use vehicle. Four general purpose lanes with HOV lanes as noted in Option 1 encourages sustainable modes of transportation i.e. carpooling and transit.
Why was cycle track is not considered instead of multi-use path on all Options?: A multi-use path is bi-directional and also provides capacity for pedestrians in the limited right of way space available.
I’ve noticed that trees are being removed on Williams Parkway. Why?: Tree removal was required in some areas to construct the noise wall as the trees were growing in close proximity to the walls. Staff conducted numerous careful studies on this project and unfortunately there was no way to install the noise wall without removing the City trees.
Is there any HOV policy for Option 1?: City's approved Official Plan outlines HOV provisions on major road network but there is no formal policy for HOV lane in terms of enforcement and bylaw. If Option 1 is approved by Council, a formal policy for HOV will have to be developed.
I’ve noticed that the wall is already starting to crumble. Why is that?: A few areas of the composite material of the wall may have chipped in a few areas during installation. These areas are minimal and will be fixed before construction is completed.
Was an option converting one lane each direction to HOV lanes considered?: No this option was not considered. Based on the current traffic reassessment modelling for 2041, the current 4 lanes would be over capacity. Converting one existing lane in each direction to HOV lane won't solve the capacity issue and traffic congestion.
How else is this wall different than most other noise walls in Brampton?: Typical noise walls are made of concrete and reflect the noise – they bounce sound waves off the surface in different directions. When reflective noise walls are used on both sides of a road, the noise can actually bounce from one side of the road to the other and increase noise levels for nearby residences.
Will the speed of the road will be reduced?: This can be reviewed by traffic operations once an option has been chosen for road construction. A speed change would be subject to Council approval and based on technical studies. Narrower lane widths are proposed for Options 1 and 3 in order to reduce vehicle speed and to comply with the Vision Zero initiative endorsed by Council.
Can the trees be in front of the multi-use path for separation between pedestrian/bikers and traffic?: The trees in front of the multi-use path on all options would have a low survival rate due to exposure to road salts as well as impeding the winter snow plow and removal operations Also, the placement of the trees is required to comply with clear zone requirement and sight lines at intersections as per applicable standards.
Was 6 lane general purpose widening considered for any options?: Widening the road to 6 general purpose lanes was not considered for any options as it does not align with the objectives of the Council endorsed Brampton 2040 Vision, which envisioned a move away from the single use vehicle. Four general purpose lanes with HOV lanes as noted in Option 1 encourages sustainable modes of transportation i.e. carpooling and transit.
Why does Option 1 have more DC funding than the other options?: The Development Charges (DC) By-Law approved by Council provides funding for growth related infrastructure, for example widening from 4 to 6 lanes, adding lanes, adding multi-use paths etc., but it does not fund construction projects that remove and replace existing infrastructure.
Why weren't on road bike lanes considered instead of multi-use path for any of the options?: Multi-use paths allow for increased safety for both pedestrian and cyclists from the live traffic on this arterial road where there is expected to be a high volume of traffic.
Does Option 2 consider trees on the median?: Option 2 does not consider trees on the median because of survivability issues due to exposure to road salts during winter snow plow and removal operations. It is also unsafe to maintain the trees in the median due to the proximity to live traffic, and trees placed there may impact the clear zone requirement from the applicable standards for road design.
Do these options include accessible features for those with disabilities?: The design for all options includes the requirements for accessibility as per the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA)
How is the sidewalk and bike path identified?: A 3m wide multi-use path is a shared facility between pedestrian and cyclists. Pavement markings would be installed to identify cyclists and pedestrians entering and exiting the intersection from the multi-use path to controlled cross rides and cross walks as per applicable standards.
Does Option 1 indicate trees are on private property?: No trees are proposed on private property except school board property and Conservation lands subject to obtaining permissions.
Is Williams Parkway is a truck route?: Trucks are restricted from using Williams Parkway, however local deliveries by truck are allowed.
Do any of the options considered bus bays to pull off the transit from through lanes?: Bus bays are not considered for any options as they are not supported by Transit and there is not sufficient space available in the existing right of way. Also it increases the crossing distance and signal timing for pedestrians and cyclists at intersections.
Was the public consulted?: Public consultation on the widening of Williams Parkway was done as part of the Environmental Assessment in 2011. This project was also identified in several versions of the Transportation Master Plan (2004, 2009 and 2015). Extensive public consultation was done on the TMP prior to Council approval.

Public consultation is not done specifically on noise wall design, but the proposed design was included in the procurement report that was approved by Council in 2018.

In addition, 393 property owners were contacted by staff to obtain a Permission to Enter (PTE) for each property where the noise wall would be installed. The PTE was to allow the removal of any existing rear fences, grading and other items for the construction of the noise wall. Approximately 95% of property owners signed the PTE by the end of 2017.

Forestry staff was consulted during the tree removal stage to review the health of the trees and provide recommendations on which trees should remain. The City works hard to protect as many trees as possible as our city develops. Once the noise wall project is complete, the area will be landscaped and new trees will be planted to help compensate for those that had to be removed.

On June 17, 2020 an online survey regarding preferred road construction options was made available to the public until August 1, 2020. The survey deadline was later extended to August 15, 2020 to allow for more feedback.
Are roundabouts considered for any options?: Roundabouts were not considered for any of the options as they typically take large areas of property in the right of way that is not available.

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Related Documents

Project Timeline

‭(Hidden)‬ Frequently Asked Questions

Project Overview