Milton Town Council has endorsed an updated Transportation Master Plan (TMP) aimed at preparing for the town’s projected population growth and evolving infrastructure needs through 2051.

The plan prioritizes a sustainable, multimodal transportation network and addresses gaps in roadway connectivity while promoting active transportation options like walking and cycling.

“A Living Document for the Future”
Diana Jiona, Milton’s director of infrastructure, highlighted the TMP as a dynamic framework updated every five years to align with community needs and regulatory changes. “It guides policy, decision-making, and future capital planning without outlining specific construction projects,” Jiona stated during the Dec. 9 council meeting.

Key Priorities and Improvements
Brett Sears, a WSP consultant involved in the project, described the TMP as a crucial step in preparing Milton for future growth.

Among the highlights:

Transit Signal Upgrades on Thompson Road to prioritize schedules.
Connectivity Enhancements in Milton’s east, south, and west, including the Milton Education Village and Trafalgar/Britannia secondary plans.
Extending Main Street to Trafalgar Road and addressing gaps in cycling and pedestrian networks to ensure seamless town-wide access.
Tackling Commute Challenges
With personal vehicles accounting for 93% of Milton’s commute trips (2021 census), Councilor John Challinor emphasized the pressing need for expanded GO Transit services to reduce reliance on cars.

Sears concurred, stressing GO Transit’s critical role in Milton’s future. “Advocacy for improved rail infrastructure is essential,” he noted.

Balancing Growth with Context
The plan also proposes converting two lanes on Ontario Street South into high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes — a move debated during the meeting. Sears underscored the importance of maintaining balance: “We’ve kept it to four lanes to fit Milton’s context while laying the groundwork for future needs.”

Council has provisionally approved the updated TMP, now open for a 30-day public review period.