Milton is updating its Transportation Master Plan (TMP) to prepare for projected population growth through 2051.
The plan focuses on creating a more connected and sustainable multimodal transportation network.
Diana Jiona, director of infrastructure, explained that the TMP builds on the Town’s first master plan from 2018.
“It’s a living document updated every five years to reflect evolving community needs and regulations. While it doesn’t address specific construction projects, it guides policy, decision-making and future capital planning,” Jiona said at the Dec. 9 council meeting.
Key objectives also include addressing deficiencies in roadway connectivity and supporting active transportation needs, such as walking and cycling.
Brett Sears, a WSP consultant on the project, described the update as “a big milestone” and noted its importance in preparing for future development. “This is the first step before a project would be constructed.”
The updated TMP identifies Thompson Road as a primary corridor requiring priority treatments, such as transit signal upgrades to maintain schedules. Other high-priority routes include Main Street and Bronte Street.
Improvements will also target growth areas in Milton’s east, south and west, including the Trafalgar and Britannia secondary plans and the Milton Education Village.
The TMP proposes extending Main Street to Trafalgar Road and eliminating gaps in the cycling and pedestrian network, ensuring comprehensive access across the town.
“We've tried to make sure that there are no missing links in the system so that someone could walk or bike to different destinations across town,” he said.
Coun. John Challinor pointed to the need for improved GO train infrastructure to reduce Milton’s heavy reliance on personal vehicles — which account for 93 per cent of commute trips, according to the 2021 census cited in the report.
“Until we fix that $7-8 billion problem halfway between here and Union Station with GO train infrastructure, that number is not going to change very quickly,” said Challinor.
Sears agreed on the critical role of GO Transit in Milton’s future, urging continued advocacy for expanded services. “We do see the GO service as an essential part of the future of Milton,” Sears said.
Regarding the proposed conversion of two lanes on Ontario Street South — from Derry Road to Main Street East — into high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes, which Challinor expressed concern about, Sears said that the team grappled with the Region’s plan to widen Halton Regional roads to six lanes.
“Do we want a six-lane road through the middle of Milton?” Sears said. “We’re going to keep it at four.”
“We took a leap of faith to make it a high-occupancy vehicle,” he added. “We would like to see the plan implemented, but we recognize that it'll take time, and we have to make sure that it's appropriate for the context and the time that we are in Milton.”
Council endorsed the updated Transportation Master Plan in principle, pending a 30-day public review period.