Transportation Master Plan
The Whitehorse Transportation Master Plan (TMP) is our long-term vision and strategy for transportation decision-making and investment over the next 20 years. The Transportation Master Plan guides how people and goods move around our city and sets our vision and priorities as a community in shaping a multi-modal transportation network. The TMP sets the direction for a vibrant city where people, goods, and places are conveniently connected by diverse transportation options and works towards developing a safe, equitable, and sustainable transportation network for all ages, abilities, incomes, and seasons.
Whitehorse has grown into a city of over 30,000 people. OverContinue reading
The Whitehorse Transportation Master Plan (TMP) is our long-term vision and strategy for transportation decision-making and investment over the next 20 years. The Transportation Master Plan guides how people and goods move around our city and sets our vision and priorities as a community in shaping a multi-modal transportation network. The TMP sets the direction for a vibrant city where people, goods, and places are conveniently connected by diverse transportation options and works towards developing a safe, equitable, and sustainable transportation network for all ages, abilities, incomes, and seasons.
Whitehorse has grown into a city of over 30,000 people. Over the next 20 years Whitehorse is expected to grow to more than 40,000 people. With growth, we need to reevaluate how people and goods move throughout the City.
As we set the vision for our updated Transportation Master Plan, there are important decisions and meaningful discussions to be had as individuals and as a city towards developing and shaping an accessible, equitable, safe, and sustainable transportation network and ultimately a vibrant and livable Whitehorse. Transportation decisions affect us all. How people and goods move affects residents, businesses, and visitors alike whether you walk, cycle, take transit, drive, or ship products or have them delivered. All the choices we make moving forward will require some give and take, compromises, and tradeoffs.
The goal of the Whitehorse Transportation Master Plan is to establish our vision and priorities as a community in shaping a multi-modal transportation network through 2040. The plan aims to guide the City's strategic investment in transportation infrastructure and services across Whitehorse through 2040 with the goal of working towards an accessible, safe, equitable, and sustainable multi-modal transportation network.
Background
The City completed a major review of its transportation network with the completion of a 1992 Citywide Traffic Study and the subsequent 2004 City-Wide Transportation Study. The City had implemented many changes and new initiatives between the two large studies that fall under the broader category of general transportation issues. Accordingly, the 2004 study was progressive, for its time, in achieving a balanced multi-modal approach to the planning of the network. Alternative modes of transportation were considered and given more weight in the decision-making process than ever before through the identification and creation of pedestrian, cycling, and transit routes through the City, thus maintaining and enhancing the quality of life for Whitehorse citizens.
The City is responsible for all the roadways within the city boundaries, with the exception of the Alaska Highway and the North Klondike Highway, which are managed by the Government of Yukon - Department of Highways and Public Works. A number of significant studies and tasks are in progress or have been completed since the 2004 City-Wide Transportation Study. These include the following: The Transportation Demand Management Plan (2015), the Bicycle Network Plan (2018); Transit Master Plan (2018); Trail Plan (2020), numerous Area Development Studies; several new traffic signals; downtown parking studies; the development of the Whistle Bend subdivision; a new City Operations Building; plans for a new downtown City Services Building; and rapid development across the City. The City is currently developing studies that relate to the Transportation Master Plan, which are the Whitehorse 2040 Official Community Plan and the Transit Route Modernization Study. The Transportation Master Plan will build and integrate with these previous and existing planning processes and provided a unified and holistic approach for how we develop our transportation network.
Questions and Answers
Do you have a question about the Whitehorse Transportation Master Plan project? Do you have a question about this round of public engagement? Do you have a question about the Whitehorse transportation network in general?
Our project team is made up of a diverse group of civil and transportation engineers, urban planners, environmental coordinators, and engagement specialists who are ready to answer all kinds of questions you might have.
Ask your questions away and a member of the project team will respond as soon as possible.
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Hamilton Boulevard is a speed zone from Sumanik Dr. to McIntyre Dr. and beyond [I didn't know this, at least before my accident]. This was reported in the Whitehorse Star newspaper, on Mar. 23, 2022. An RCMP report stated that a total of 55 tickets were issued with two drivers exceeding 100 km/h in the 60 km/h zone. I was unfortunately in a car accident in mid-January on that same stretch of Hamilton Blvd. The reason I think these drivers exhibit these high rates of speed in this location is that there are no visible buildings or houses in the vicinity and it is just like a normal highway where nobody would travel at 60 km/hr. Furthermore, there is no traffic coming in the opposite direction as the boulevard is divided. Pretty tempting if you are in a hurry and nobody is coming from your rear. Think like a speeder. No, the only way you could slow these drivers down is to get really tough with them. Maybe put in a radar site with a photo camera, to ticket the speeders and automatically send them a bill for their infringement, like they do in Vancouver. This may not work here in the Yukon as our license plates are attached to the rear of our vehicle and are not visible due to being covered in snow or mud. If like other provinces and territories they have a front-mounted license plate in the front, this might be possible. Otherwise, put a radar detector which they have done on occasions, to tell the driver what speed they are doing and maybe they might slow down. Again, If not the RCMP could make more effort to increase their presents near this location and set up their trap. It would be a money-maker for sure. With the help of volunteers, the proceeds could go to some local charity. Or the money could go to equipment to support the RCMP's quest to make the roads safer for pedestrians, bicyclers and drivers. There are a lot of XC skiers driving out of the Dog Trail parking lot, as I did, who wish to go North and have to turn right [south] on Hamilton Blvd at McIntyre Dr. We do a U-turn and come back to the stop sign on McIntyre and Hamilton to proceed across to merge with traffic going North on Hamilton. The other option is to do a left-hand turn off of Hamilton in the turning lane going South [this was not available at the time of my accident as it was not plowed out for a number of days by the City's crews due to the high snow fall] and proceed across the boulevard and enter the merging lane going North. This is an extremely dangerous maneuver as the turn is too sharp and you have to back up to make the turn, which I did, resulting in a near-fatal accident with a speeder coming on Hamilton going South. The best way to solve this too-sharp of a turn is to eliminate the left-hand turning lane altogether, going South on Hamilton. This would force drivers to not attempt this dangerous route which was one of the causes of my accident. The other was the pile-up of snow on the intersection by the City's snow removal equipment which blocked the view for drivers altogether. I was told by my daughter and skiers, this excess snow was not removed for four days after my accident. Are there any thoughts about improving this intersection ? I have heard eventually it will become a normal intersection with traffic lights when housing lots are opened up across the boulevard. I have suggested to the Whitehorse XC Ski Club, which I am a member, that they should approach the City of Whitehorse to redirect the entry/exit point off of Hamilton Blvd. and position the entering point close to the intersection of Sumanik Dr. and Hamilton Blvd. This would allow ski club vehicle drivers to use the traffic lights to cross Hamiton Blvd. safely. Mind you, the entry would have to be close to the turning lane as possible, giving as much distance between the bottom of the hill and oncoming downhill traffic coming from Mount Mac. Recreation Centre. I would appreciate an acknowledgement or a reply to my concerns at the email address donaldgraham286@gmail.com
Old Skier asked 4 months agoHi Old Skier,
Thank you for sharing your comments and concerns regarding road safety along Hamilton Boulevard and in the City broadly. I want to acknowledge that we have received your comments and concerns and I am sorry to learn about your collision in this area.
Our team consulted with stakeholders, interested parties, and community last year on what the major issues and opportunities in our transportation network. We heard many comments and concerns regarding road safety for all road users including pedestrians, cyclists, transit users, and drivers. Based on the feedback we received (see Phase 1 Engagement Summary Report), it became readily apparent that road safety is a major issue among residents and a key theme (among others) and area of focus for our Transportation Master Plan.
Road safety is influenced by a variety of factors including policy, engineering design, enforcement, and education and the City does have a variety of tools available, within its jurisdiction and control, to influence road safety. For reference, the City has administration and jurisdiction over roads, sidewalks, crosswalks, street signage, traffic signals, etc. within City limits. The City, however, has limited jurisdiction over motor vehicle regulations (Motor Vehicle Act, Yukon Government), vehicle standards and safety devices (Federal Government), enforcement of moving traffic (RCMP), among other things that also have an impact on road safety. Under the current Motor Vehicle Act (currently under review by the Yukon Government), the City does not have the authority to implemented automated speed enforcement or red-light cameras and would require a revision to the Motor Vehicle Act.
Through the Transportation Master Plan, we are identifying ways that we can work towards developing an accessible, equitable, safe, and sustainable transportation network that are directly within the City's control. We will also be identifying opportunities for the City to partner with other levels of government in achieving our collective transportation vision, values, and goals.
We have recently posted a discussion forum on improving road safety. I encourage you to check it out and provide your input.
Cheers,
Stefan Baer, E.I.T.
Project Manager, Transportation Master Plan
Engineering Services, City of Whitehorseroadsafetyroadsafety -
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The top of Two Mile Hill and Range Road! The two new buildings and the proposed (by all accounts a huge expansion) new Arena. Where are all the cars going to go! What planning with respect to cats is being done?! Shouldn’t the Arena be in a place where there is more space?
YukonDaisy asked 4 months agoHi YukonDaisy,
Thank you for your question.
As part of preparation for the Canada Winter Games bid package, bid committee determined that demolition and upgrades of the existing Takhini Arena at the existing Takhini Arena site was the most reasonable and feasible option to accommodate the needs of the community and the games. As part of this process, a Transportation Impact Assessment was conducted which identified on-site transportation measures to accommodate people accessing the site such as transit, bicycle parking, on-site parking, etc.
With respect to Range Road and Two Mile Hill Road, the City has carried out multiple planning processes to determine what should be done to accommodate the needs of the intersection and corridor. Through the Range Road Corridor Study, it was determined that a bi-directional cycling facility on the west side would be beneficial to encourage more sustainable transportation choices along the corridor. Through the Range Road & Two Mile Hill Intersection Study, it was determined that intersection upgrades and signal timing improvements are required to improve roadway geometry, enhance road safety, enhance active transportation facilities, and accommodate the anticipated growth in traffic.
We will be reviewing all of these proposed improvements and other transportation network level requirements as part of the Transportation Master Plan.
Cheers,
Stefan Baer, E.I.T. | Engineering Services
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We all together need to reduce emissions drastically in the period covered by the Transportation Master Plan, so imagine quantifying emission reductions will be an important part of its development. Question: will the Transportation Master Plan quantify transportation-related emissions and expected emission reductions from the various measures that will be proposed, and will these expected emission reductions be compared to national and territorial emission reduction goals?
freeform99 asked over 1 year agoThere are two considerations for GHG emissions reductions that need to be considered here: project-specific GHG emissions associated with transportation capital project implementation and broad city-wide GHG emissions associated with transportation use.
Project-specific GHG emissions
Measurement of GHG emissions associated with a project is not difficult nor cost-prohibitive to perform. These GHG measurements include quantification of GHG associated with capital project implementation. For example: labour and materials associated with concrete, gravel, and asphalt works in transportation projects.Each year, the City prepares a capital expenditure plan for the following years. This plan outlines the capital priorities for the City. Projects that are proposed as part of the capital expenditure plan are ranked with both corporate and community GHG emission reductions targets in mind, where projects that result in an increase in GHG emissions are negatively scored. The capital expenditure plan also considers other benefits and costs of proposed projects such as economic and societal considerations.
City-wide GHG emissions
Measurement of City-wide sustainability performance in transportation could be measured by mode share mode share. While mode share is an indicator of the percentage of use of a mode of transportation such as walking, cycling, transit, and driving, it only gives us a proxy for representation of community GHG emissions from transportation.
It is technically difficult to measure both GHG emissions reduction and mode share change as a result of transportation improvements as it requires a detailed analysis on behaviour change. This process has many assumptions associated with it.
The City has proposed development of a Community Emissions Inventory as part of the 2022-2026 Capital Expenditures Plan which seeks to fill in the gaps on GHG emmissions. Please note that this project is ultimately subject to Mayor and Council approval.
Transportation Master Plan
The Transportation Master Plan seeks to provide a strategy for how the City invests in its transportation infrastructure in the short, medium, and long term horizons that considers relative benefit to cost and society, economy, and the environment. In essence, this plan intends to provide a list of “pre-screened” projects that inform the capital expenditure planning process.
As part of this Transportation Master Plan, the City will be checking in with our previous targets and targets proposed by international, national, and terroritorial agencies. It is anticipated that projects ultimately proposed as part of this plan will likely (depending on what we ultimately hear from the public and weighed against other environmental, social, and economic considerations) feature sustainability considerations.
Stefan Baer, E.I.T. | Engineering Services
Sara Thompson | Planning and Sustinability Services#sustainability#sustainability -
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I am on the board for my neighbourhood association, and would like to find a way to solicit feedback from neighbourhood residents so that the association can fill out the survey for organizations. Would it be possible to see the complete list of questions in the survey for organizations before actually filling it out, in order to know what kind of feedback to get from residents? And is there any other support the TMP team can offer to small organizations trying to collect feedback from our members?
RedBird53 asked over 1 year agoHi RedBird53,
Thank you for your question.
I have now posted a preview of the survey so that you can solicit input from members of your organization. See Transportation Master Plan - Survey #1 (for Organizations) description (below) or at the following links. Please note that we prefer submissions through the online form.
https://whitehorsetmp.ca/26725/widgets/110335/documents/71650
https://whitehorsetmp.ca/embeds/projects/26725/survey-tools/25414
I am unsure what "supports" that could be made available or that you could be referring to. Please get in touch with our project team to discuss further and suggest any ideas you think would be helpful.
Stefan Baer, E.I.T.
Transportation Engineer-in-Training | Engineering Services#survey#survey -
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Is the plan to keep all major shopping downtown in the next 20 years?
dorothy asked over 1 year agoHi dorothy,
Thank you for your question. Though land use and transportation are very interconnected and related, your question relates more to land use while the purpose of this project is more oriented towards the transportation network.
The City is currently in the process of updating both its Official Community Plan and the Transportation Master Plan. This past summer the Official Community Plan – Emerging Directions was released which highlights some of the major proposed land use changes and considerations and provided an opportunity for the public to comment on the proposed policy directions. Based on the Official Community Plan - Emerging Directions, the answer to your following questions is found in the following policy directions:
5.4.1 Pursue a compact development pattern that focuses higher density residential growth within strategic locations.
a. Establish an Urban Core that permits higher density development generally within a 10-minute walk or bike ride of Downtown (See 5.7 Urban Core on page 14).
b. Establish Urban Centres in Whistle Bend, Takhini and McIntyre/Tank Farm that encourage each area to have the densest populations of any nonDowntown location.
5.5.2 Keep Downtown vital by continuing to encourage a broad mix of uses, including additional residential developments.
a. Retain Downtown’s focus as the primary employment and cultural area for the city and region by directing major office development and cultural facilities primarily into the Downtown.
b. Review policies and regulations to facilitate an increase to the number of people living Downtown to ensure a critical mass of people living and working in the area to support a thriving downtown.
5.5.4 Reinforce Main Street district as a central destination in Whitehorse that is welcoming and comfortable for people of all backgrounds, ages and abilities.
a. Retain Main Street as Downtown’s primary retail high street and ensure a vibrant mix of retail, office, entertainment, arts, cultural and institutional uses, supported by a range of programming efforts.
b. Enhance Main Street as a vibrant commercial village with a continuous row of small, engaging storefronts, low building heights, significant public realm and gathering spaces.
5.6.1 Establish an urban structure that optimizes transportation networks, intensifies land uses and creates opportunities for new jobs and homes in vibrant nodes of development that complements a strong downtown.
a. Urban Centres – to be the most densley populated areas outside of the Downtown. i Support transit investment and the viability of new neighbourhood-serving commercial uses, by establishing three Urban Centres with additional homes and retail and service, including minor office above the ground floor.
b. Neighbourhood Centres i Establish four neighbourhood Centres to support additional commercial and transit services and encourage additional homes within a 5-minute walk of these areas
c. Support higher residential density on sites adjacent to transit routes and within an approximate 10-minute walk (800m) of Urban and Neighbourhood Centres.
The proposed policy directions imply that shopping (major retail) will be retained in Downtown over the planning horizon. However, commercial uses will be allowed in the proposed Urban Centres (Takhini, Whistle Bend, Tank Farm) and Neighbourhood Centres.
Please note that this is a policy direction. The policy is yet to be adoped by Council.
Stefan Baer
Transportation Engineer-in-Training | Engineering Services
Mélodie Simard
Manager | Planning and Sustainability Services
#landuse,#planning,publicengagementphase1#landuse #planning publicengagementphase1 -
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why do people have to register to complete the survey. that will only turn people away.
darren asked over 1 year agoHi darren,
Thank you for your question.
Registration for the survey was recommended to us for the following reasons:
- Registration helps us understand who is responding to the project.
- It is commonly understood among people involved in public engagement that the the same people often contribute towards public processes and provide public input.
- Registration helps avoid duplicate survey responses and thus overrepresenting certain opinions.
- Registration helps us understand how people are interacting with a project.
- Registration helps provides enhanced reporting and analytics. This helps provide decision-makers (Council and Administration) with helpful statistics regarding public engagement and consultation.
- Registration helps the City incorporate equity and inclusion into a project.
- Registration helps us understand how various groups or segments of the population that have an interest or influence in the project are represented in public input.
- Without registration and self-identification questions that relate to equity and inclusion, there is simply no way to understand who is providing public input.
- Equity, diversity and inclusivity (EDI) strengthen research and the quality, social relevance and impact of research.
Our team recognizes that registration may pose a barrier to some participation in the public input. However, we felt that the quality of public input was more important than the quantity of public input at this time and for this project.
As a result, registration is only a requirement for participation in the survey. All other tools such as the Ideas, Interactive Map, and this Questions and Answers are still accessible to anyone with an email address.
I have edited some of the questions in the registration form for clarity and convenience. If you feel that registration continues to be a barrier for your participation, please get in touch with our team and we can discuss potential options for your participation.
Stefan Baer, E.I.T.
Transportation Engineer-in-Training | Engineering Servicesregistration,publicengagementphase1registration publicengagementphase1 - Registration helps us understand who is responding to the project.
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12-06-2022 Dear Whitehorse Transportation Master Plan - Project Team Why is the current time to clear snow 48hrs? After 48hrs, what is the Enforcement process from Bylaw? To reduce safety concerns and barriers for pedestrians, this time limit needs to be reduced and enforced! Bylaw should be patrolling daily, and enforcing the snow clearing bylaw It is very concerning that the City of Whitehorse is NOT taking any immediate action to improve or address the current lack of safety for Pedestrians. It is very frustrating that Pedestrians and people with disabilities are being ignored!!! Please prioritize, sidewalks, and active transportation pathways for improved snow clearing. This will ensure walking and cycling is more convenient and accessible for people of all ages and abilities, year-round. For people who are unsteady on their feet, or who use adaptive assistance like walkers or canes, the smallest patch of ice or uncleared sidewalk can become very dangerous. I am a person with a disability, who has been forced to navigate into the roadway to avoid uncleared sidewalks and snowbanks left by property owners. This creates a very serious barrier for people with disabilities, often putting their life at risk. I have experienced many situations in the neighbourhood of Copper Ridge, where snow is blocking the sidewalk. Walking the dog, in these conditions has become an extremely dangerous situation.
Northstar asked 4 months agoHi Northstar,
Thank you for your question and sharing your concerns, comments, and experience using our transportation network.
The City recently completed a review of its Snow and Ice Clearing Policy. I encourage you to review the new policy and the updated priorities here. If you have any further questions, I encourage you to reach out to our Fleet and Transportation Maintenance Department as they are best suited to answer this question.
Cheers,
Stefan Baer, E.I.T.
Project Manager, Transportation Master Plan
Engineering Services, City of Whitehorsetransportationmaintenancetransportationmaintenance -
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Has anyone at the city approached White pass about purchasing or leasing the rail route into town for use as an active transport route?
Dylan Laird asked 3 months agoHi Dylan Laird,
Thank you for your great question.
The City has been approached on multiple occasions about this right of way for a variety of purposes including active transportation, riverfront area placemaking and urban activation, among other ideas.
As a part of the Transportation Master Plan, we will review whether the corridor is required for existing and anticipated future functional active transportation needs/requirements.
Cheers,
Stefan Baer, E.I.T. | Engineering Services
Project Manager | Transportation Master Planactivetransportationactivetransportation
Level of Engagement
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Learn more about the City of Whitehorse's Engagement Process
Timeline
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Project Initiation
Transportation Master Plan has finished this stageSeptember 2020
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Data Collection, Analysis, and Review of Existing Conditions
Transportation Master Plan has finished this stage -
Phase 1 Engagement - "Visioning the Transportation Network"
Transportation Master Plan has finished this stageApril 2021 to February 2022
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Analyze Phase 1 Engagement Feedback
Transportation Master Plan has finished this stage -
Report back on Phase 1 Engagement
Transportation Master Plan has finished this stage -
Discussion Series
Transportation Master Plan has finished this stageThis is your place to engage on various transportation and mobility topics with your neighbours and the broader community. Join the discussion now!
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Transportation Modelling and Analysis
Transportation Master Plan has finished this stage -
Asssessment of Transportation Network Requirements
Transportation Master Plan has finished this stage -
Implementation Planning and Financial Strategy
Transportation Master Plan is currently at this stage -
Phase 2 Engagement - "Developing and Implementing our Transportation Vision"
this is an upcoming stage for Transportation Master PlanApril 2023
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Analyze Phase 2 Engagement Feedback
this is an upcoming stage for Transportation Master PlanMay 2023
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Report back on Phase 2 Engagement
this is an upcoming stage for Transportation Master Plan -
Draft Transportation Master Plan
this is an upcoming stage for Transportation Master PlanMay 2023
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Adoption by Council
this is an upcoming stage for Transportation Master PlanJune 2023
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Final Transportation Master Plan
this is an upcoming stage for Transportation Master PlanJuly 2023
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