Main Street Grade Separation
Traffic Impacts
- Notice of weekend road closures - Main Street East from Ontario Street to east of the CPR tracks - to accommodate rail way track diversions and storm sewer installation:
- Saturday, May 5, 12:00 a.m. to Monday, May 7, 5:00 a.m. and
- Saturday, May 12, 12:00 a.m. to Monday, May 14, 5:00 a.m.
- Notice of long-term lane restrictions: Main Street East from the Milton Mall Entrance to Wilson Drive: April 11, 2012 for approximately 24 months
Why a Grade Separation?
In 2007, Milton Council identified the need to eliminate the level crossing of the Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) tracks at Main Street East, just east of Ontario Street.
Building an underpass will improve traffic flow on Main Street. It will also allow for better access to the downtown business area and central business district, as commercial development continues to increase on Main Street.
The environmental benefits will result from separating road vehicles from train traffic and eliminating idling while traffic waits for trains to clear the crossing. Public safety will also be improved, as this crossing currently has very high train/vehicle exposure.
Project Description
The project involves the construction of an underpass to the south side of the existing Main Street railway level crossing.
It is a structurally challenging project due to the sharp angle at which the CPR tracks cross Main Street. As a result, project features will include:
- A long bridge span over the underpass
- A new S-curve road alignment
- Sidewalks level with the underpass roadway (not elevated)
- The creation of a new service road for existing businesses to the north of the existing roadway
- Roadway lighting, traffic signals, storm sewers, retaining wall construction and landscaping
Design
As the bridge will be a landmark to the Town, a great deal of consideration is being placed into its design. The concept is to create an urban focal point that echoes the natural landscape of the community.
Design concepts are available in several media:
Cost
The total project cost is estimated at $49 million, and the project is expected to take four years to complete. The project is partly funded by the Government of Canada through Canada's Gas Tax Fund.
Schedule
| Stage | (Estimated) Completion Date | Status |
| Environmental Assessment | 2007 | Complete |
| Design | Summer 2011 | Complete |
| Construction Tender | Summer 2011 | Complete |
| Construction Stage 1A: Milton Mall parking lot: temporary lot construction and rehabilitation of Main lot, removal of service tracks and grading for rail diversion | Spring 2012 | Underway |
| Construction Stage 1B: Construct Milton Mall retaining wall, restoration of mall parking lot, and construction of 2 west spans of bridge structure | Summer 2013 | Pending completion of Stage 1A |
| Construction Stage 2A: Construct southern half of 2 east spans, complete eastbound lanes of re-aligned Main Street | Late 2013 |
Pending completion of Stage 1B |
| Construction Stage 2B: Construct northern half of 2 east spans, complete eastbound lanes of re-aligned Main Street | Summer 2015 |
Pending completion of Stage 2A |
| Construction Stage 3: Complete construction of service road | Fall 2015 | Pending comlpetion of Stage 2B |
"On Track" E-newsletter
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Issues
Additional Information
Maps, Drawings and Notices
- Construction Notification - Main Street Lane Restrictions February 2012
- Project Updates - Published Quarterly
- Construction Staging Drawings
- Capital Projects Map
Staff Reports
- August 2011 (CORS-064-11)
- January 2010 (ENG-005-10)
- September 2008 (ENG-017-08)
- October 2007 (ENG-045-07)
