heritage road improvements from steeles avenue to ... environmental... · study background heritage...

The Corporation of the City of Brampton

Heritage Road Improvements from Steeles Avenue to Rivermont Road Class Environmental Assessment Study(Schedule C)

September 19, 2013

The Corporation of the City of Brampton

Heritage Road Improvements from Steeles Avenue to Rivermont Road Class Environmental Assessment Study(Schedule C)

Public Information Centre No. 1September 19, 20136:30 pm to 8:30 pm

Welcome

You are invited to:

+ Review the presentation boards

+ Ask questions and discuss your comments with the project team

Sign in to receive future updates on the study

We are here to:

+ Introduce the Class Environmental Assessment (Class EA) study for improvements to Heritage Road from Steeles Avenue to Rivermont Road (formerly known as Riverview Heights Road)

+ Receive your input on problems and opportunities, alternative solutions, environmental impacts, and evaluation of alternatives

+ Keep you informed of the study process and next steps

3Heritage Road Improvements from Steeles Avenue to Rivermont Road Class EA Study

Study Area

4

The Heritage Road Class EA Study corridor extends approximately 3.5 km from Steeles Avenue to Rivermont Road

+ Existing 20 m right-of-way (varies)

+ 2-lane rural cross-section

+ 60 km/h posted speed limit

Heritage Road Improvements from Steeles Avenue to Rivermont Road Class EA Study

Study Process

5

Phase 5

Implement the Preferred Solution

Phase 4

Prepare Environmental Study Report

Phase 3

Develop and Evaluate Alternative Design Concepts

Phase 2

Identify and Evaluate Alternative Solutions

Phase 1

Identify the Problem or OpportunityClass EA Process:

+ The Heritage Road Class EA Study is following the Municipal Engineers Association Municipal Class EA process (October 2000, as amended in 2007 and 2011)

+ This Study has been initiated as a Schedule C project, and will complete Phases 1 though 4 of the Municipal Class EA process

+ At present, the Study is in Phase 2

PIC No. 1

PIC No. 2

30-day Public Review


Study Background

6

City of Brampton Official Plan (2006):

+ Classified as minor arterial from the south City limit to approximately 1.0 km north of Steeles Avenue

+ Classified as collector from approximately 1.0 km north of Steeles Avenue to the Credit River

+ 26 m to 30 m right-of-way


Collector

Minor Arterial

Study Background


Forecasts 2011 2021 2031Population 510,000 635,000 727,000

Household Units 143,000 184,000 214,500

Employment 182,000 280,000 314,000

City of Brampton Official Plan (2006) continued:

+ The population of Brampton has grown from approximately 430,000 people in 2006 to 510,000 in 2011, and is expected to reach 727,000 by 2031

Growth Plan Official Plan Amendment, Office Consolidation, Updated May 2013

+ Land use and transportation policies specific to growth within the study area are outlined in the Bram West Secondary Plan (2010)

Study Background

8

Bram West Secondary Plan (2010):

+ General land use classification within the study area includes residential and industrial

+ Secondary Plan Area 40(a) is located on the west side, generally bounded by Winston Churchill Boulevard, Steeles Avenue West, the Credit River and Heritage Road

+ Secondary Plan Area 40(d) is located on the east side, generally bounded by Mississauga Road, Steeles Avenue, the Credit River and Heritage Road


(City of Brampton, 2010)

Study Background

9

Riverview Heights Block Plan 40-3 (2011):

+ Approved development block plan for the east side of Heritage Road from Steeles Avenue to the Credit River


(Riverview Heights Block Plan, 2011)

40(d)

Background


Transportation and Transit Master Plan (2009):

+ The City of Brampton Transportation and Transit Master Plan recommends the widening of Heritage Road to four through lanes from Steeles Avenue to north of the future Rivermont Road by 2021

(Transportation and Transit Master Plan, 2009)

Background


City of Brampton Pathways Master Plan (2002) / Pathway Routing Plan (2006):

+ Proposed 3 m wide multi-use trail (Class 1 pathway) on Heritage Road

(Pathway Routing Plan, 2006)

STEELES AVENUE

EMBLETON ROAD

FUTURE FINANCIAL

DRIVE

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RIV

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Study Background


Bram West Parkway and Financial Drive Class EA (ongoing):+ The City is currently conducting a Class

EA for Bram West Parkway from Heritage Road to Financial Drive extension and Financial Drive from Heritage Road to Winston Churchill Boulevard

Steeles Avenue Class EA (ongoing):+ The Region of Peel is currently conducting

an EA study for improvements to Steeles Avenue from Chinguacousy Road to Winston Churchill Boulevard

Works and Transportation Satellite Yard Class EA (2012):+ The City recently completed an EA study

for the proposed works and transportation satellite yard on the east side of Heritage Road, north of Steeles Avenue

Proposed

Works and Transportation

Satellite Yard

Safety Review

13

+ Collision Analysis did not reveal any collision patterns that require any treatment

+ Field investigation did not reveal issues with sight distance

Potential Safety Improvements:

+ Lane/shoulder widths

+ Clear zone from edge of pavement to nearest fixed object


Natural Environment

14

Natural Heritage Features:

+ Wetlands and wooded areas largely associated with riparian corridors of watercourse crossings

+ Wetland units of the Levi Creek Provincially Significant Wetland (PSW) Complex

+ Levi Creek PSW has wetland diversity, species richness, and a number of seepage-fed wetlands; and provides amphibian breeding and waterfowl staging habitat


Natural Environment Continued…

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+ Valleyland associated with the Credit River is located north of the study area

+ Three crossings of the main branch of Levi Creek and one crossing of Heritage Creek, as well as crossings of smaller drainage features with ephemeral flow

+ Levi Creek and its tributaries (including Heritage Creek) are regulated by the Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) as recovery habitat for Redside Dace (Clinostomus elongatus)

+ Records of Species at Risk are documented for the larger project area; and, further screening may be required to determine presence/absence in the study area


Socio-economic and Cultural Environment

16

Existing Land Uses:+ Agricultural+ Rural Residential+ Commercial

Cultural Heritage:+ Two properties (the Octagonal House and the Page Cemetery) designated under Part

IV of the Ontario Heritage Act+ Two properties (James McClure Farm and Black Farm) listed on the City of

Brampton’s Heritage Inventory Register

Features of Archaeological Potential:+ Previously identified archaeological sites + There is a potential for archaeological sites associated with previously undisturbed

areas along Heritage Road. Further study will be required.


Needs Assessment

17

Screenline Analysis:


Legend Traffic ConditionsNumber of lanes per direction

v/c < 0.85 Under capacity

0.85 ≤ v/c < 1.0 Approaching or at capacity

v/c ≥ 1.0 Over capacity

Screenline 1

Screenline 2

Screenline 3

2011 (PM Peak Hour)

v/c – volume to capacity ratio based on EMME

results (Northbound PM Peak hour)

2021 (PM Peak Hour) 2031 (PM Peak Hour)

By 2021, improved traffic conditions are expected at screenlines south of Embleton Road due to the added capacity at Winston Churchill Blvd., Mississauga Road and the addition of Bram West Parkway and Rivermont Rd.

By the 2031 horizon year, demand generated by the proposed development will create traffic conditions approaching or at capacity at all screenline locations.

1

1

1

1

1

1

2

2

2

2

2

3

1

1

1

2

2

2

3

2

3

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2

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X

2031 (PM Peak Hour)2021 (PM Peak Hour)Existing (PM Peak Hour)

Needs Assessment

18

Existing and Future Conditions - Link Analysis:


Existing traffic volumes at PM Peak hour are exceeding the available capacity at Heritage Road north of Steeles Avenue

Results of the link analysis indicate that demand will significantly exceed the available capacity by the 2021 horizon year between Financial Drive and Rivermont Road. South of Financial Drive, a decrease in traffic volumes are expected due to planned Bram West Parkway and Financial Drive.

By the 2031 horizon year, northbound traffic volumes will exceed the available capacity in all sections of Heritage Road between Rivermont Road and Steeles Avenue.Legend Traffic Conditions




Needs Assessment

19

Existing and Future Conditions - Heritage Road and Embleton Road Intersection:


Existing (PM Peak Hour)

Legend Traffic Conditions




A Roundabout Installation Pre-Screening will be conducted during the next Phase of the study.

The prescreening will include Space Requirements and Traffic Safety and Operational Considerations to determine if a Roundabout can be considered as a feasible alternative.

The intersection of Heritage Road and Steeles Avenue is being analyzed by the Region of Peel as part of the Class EA for Steeles Avenue from Winston Churchill Boulevard to Chinguacousy Road.

v/c – volume to capacity ratio

2021 (PM Peak Hour) 2031 (PM Peak Hour)

Under existing conditions, the traffic moving northbound along Heritage Road already exceeds the available capacity at the intersection with Embleton Road. All other movements operate under adequate traffic conditions.

For both horizon years of 2021 and 2031, with no improvements at the intersection (with the exception of signal timing modifications to provide additional green time to the northbound movement), traffic conditions for the eastbound and southbound traffic will be over capacity with significant delay.

Problem and/or Opportunity Statement

20

The City of Brampton is experiencing high population and employment growth that will continue over the next few decades. Roadway capacity and intersection operations will deteriorate, if not improved.

As presently configured, the north-south roadway network in the immediate and surrounding area of Heritage Road will not be able to accommodate the travel demand growth anticipated in the next few decades.

If left untreated, an increase in traffic congestion will occur resulting in longer travel delays and decreasing level of service that will affect the level of safety, emergency vehicle response time, convenience and vehicular emissions.


Alternative Solutions


Alternative Solution Description

Do Nothing No improvements to the existing corridor and intersections

Transit Treatments Improvements at specific locations to improve the effectiveness of transit service

Travel Demand Management (TDM)

Implementation of TDM strategies for the study corridor such as carpooling, shuttle buses, flexible work hours, and other facilities

Development RestrictionsEngineering measures, public policy and zoning restrictions to reduce and/or divert traffic generated by the proposed development surrounding the study area

Improve Other Parallel Roads Widen other north-south roads in the vicinity of Heritage Road

Intersection Improvements Auxiliary lanes, property access relocation, signalization, and/or roundabouts at intersections

Road Widening Widening Heritage Road from 2 to 4 through lanes

Evaluation Criteria

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Technical Criteria (Engineering):+ Conformance to planning objectives

(Growth Plan, Official Plan, Secondary Plan)

+ Increase network capacity and improve level of service

+ Improve overall traffic safety+ Promotes other transportation modes

(pedestrian, cycling, transit)+ Reduces utility impacts+ Eliminates traffic infiltration+ Impacts with respect to stormwater

management+ Impacts with respect to natural hazards

and hydraulics/hydrology (e.g., floodplain management/floodlines, meander belt, slopes/valleys)

Technical Criteria (Financial):+ Capital costs

Environmental Criteria (Natural):+ Impact on vegetation+ Impact on avian and wildlife environments+ Impact on Species at Risk+ Impact on wetlands, watercourses, and aquatic

environments+ Impact on provincially significant wetlands

Environmental Criteria (Socio-economic / Cultural):+ Improve residential / business accesses+ Reduces property requirements+ Supports emergency services (police, fire and ambulance)+ Impact on noise levels+ Improve aesthetics / streetscape+ Impact on air quality+ Archaeological potential+ Impact on built heritage and cultural landscapes


Evaluation of Alternative Solutions

23

Technical CriteriaDo

NothingTransit Treatments

TravelDemand

Management

Development Restrictions

Improve Other Parallel Roads

IntersectionImprovements

Road Widening(4 Lanes)

Engineering

Planning ObjectivesDoes not support City’s OP Vision

In compliance with City’s OP Vision, TTMP and PMP


Does not support City’s OP Vision and TTMP



In compliance with City’s OP, Vision, TTMP and PMP

Network Capacity and Level of Service Adverse impact due to

increase in trafficPartially improves network capacity and level of service

Partially improves network capacity and level of service

Does not increase traffic capacity

Partially improves network capacity and level of service

Improves traffic capacity only at intersections Increases traffic capacity

Overall SafetyNo opportunity for safety improvements

No opportunity for safety improvements



No opportunity for safety improvements at Heritage Road

Minor safety improvements near intersections

Potential for safetyimprovements

Other Transportation Modes (e.g., pedestrian, cycling, transit)

Does not provide opportunity to improve other modes of travel

Provides some opportunitiesfor other mode of travel

Provides some opportunities for other mode of travel

Does not provide opportunity to improve other modes of travel

Provides some opportunities to improve other modes of travel

Provides some opportunities to improve other modes of travel

Provides opportunities to improve other modes of travel

Utility Conflicts

No impactsThere could be some conflictsat transit locations No impacts No impacts

May require utilities relocation on other roads (buried or overhead)

Requires utilities relocation at existing intersections

May require utilities relocation throughout the corridor (buried or overhead)

Traffic Infiltration Potential for traffic Infiltration to neighbourhoods

Minor reduction in traffic infiltration

Minor reduction in traffic infiltration No impacts Reduces potential Infiltration Reduces potential Infiltration

Significantly reduces traffic infiltration

StormwaterManagement

No impacts No impacts No impacts No impacts

No impacts at Heritage Road; Possible impacts on other roads

Minor increase in runoff rates and volumes. May provide opportunities for improving drainage system near the intersections

Increased runoff from increased impervious area. May provide opportunities for improving drainage system throughout the road section

Natural HazardsHydraulics/Hydrology(e.g. floodplain management/ floodlines, meander belt, slopes/ valleys)


No impacts at Heritage Road; Possible impacts on other roads

Potential impacts at intersections

Potential impacts throughout the corridor, particularly at watercourse crossings


Least

Positive

Most

Positive

OP – Official PlanTTMP – Transportation and Transit Master PlanPMP – Pathways Master Plan

Evaluation of Alternative SolutionsEnvironmental Criteria

DoNothing

Transit Treatments

TravelDemand

Management





Natural Environment

Vegetation *

No impacts to vegetation No impacts to vegetation No impacts to vegetation No impacts to vegetation

No impacts to vegetation at Heritage Road; Possible impacts to vegetation on other roads

May require removal of roadside trees near the intersection

Possible encroachment onto wooded areas associated with water crossings

May require removal of roadside trees

Avian and Wildlife *

No impacts to wildlife No impacts to wildlife No impacts to wildlife No impacts to wildlife

No impacts to avian species and wildlife at Heritage Road; Possible impacts to avian species and wildlife on other roads

May disturb opportunistic species associated with roadside vegetation

May disturb species, amphibian breeding, and waterfowl staging habitat within affected wetlands

May affect wildlife crossing Heritage Road

Species at Risk


No impacts to species at risk at Heritage Road; Possible impacts to species at risk on other roads

May disturb species at risk habitat, where present, near intersections

May disturb watercourse crossings and recovery habitat for Redside Dace (a species that is regulated as Endangered under the Endangered Species Act, 2007)

Wetlands, Watercourses and Aquatic Environments


No impacts to wetlands, watercourses and aquatic environments at Heritage Road; Possible impacts on other roads

May have very minor negative impacts to potentially regulated wetland or watercourses at the southern location, where a tributary of Mullet Creek runs parallel to Heritage Road and a small wetland unit is identified on the west side of the road

May provide opportunities for improving watercourse flow

Possible encroachment into wetlands associated with watercourse crossings

Provincially SignificantWetlands


No impacts to provincially significant wetlands at Heritage Road; Possible impacts on other roads

May have minor negative impacts on provincially significant wetlands, where present, near intersections

Possible encroachment into provincially significant wetlands associated with watercourse crossings


Least

Positive

Most

Positive

* Terrestrial Habitat is represented by avian, wildlife, and vegetation criteria

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Environmental CriteriaDo


TravelDemand

Management





Socio-Economic

Residential / Business Access No opportunity to improve

access No impacts No impacts No impacts No opportunity to improve access

May impact access closer to intersections

Access to existing properties can be improved

Property Requirements

No impacts No impacts No impacts No impactsMay require property acquisition on other roads

May require propertyacquisition at existing intersections

May require property acquisition throughout the corridor

Emergency ResponseAdverse impact due to increase in traffic congestion

Potential for minor improvements

Potential for minor improvements No impacts

Improvements due to additional capacity at Heritage Road

Minor improvements near intersections

Improvements due to additional capacity

Noise ImpactsNoise level will increase due to increase in traffic congestion

Potential for minor improvements due to marginal reduction in car traffic

Potential for minor improvements due to marginal reduction in car traffic No impacts

Potential for minor improvements due to marginal reduction in car traffic

Noise level will decrease due to improved intersection operations

Does provide opportunity for noise mitigation

Aesthetics/StreetscapeNo opportunities for improving landscape

No opportunities for improving landscape



No opportunities for improving landscape at Heritage Road

Minor improvements near intersections

Improvements due to newconstruction

Air Quality May reduce air quality due to congestion and delay

May have minor positive impact May have minor positive impact No impact May have minor positive impact

May improve air quality due to less congestion and delay

May improve air quality due to reduced congestion and delay

Financial

Capital Costs No capital cost Low to medium capital cost Low to medium capital cost No impact High capital cost Low to medium capital cost High capital cost


Least

Positive

Most

Positive


Environmental Criteria Do


TravelDemand

Management





Cultural Environment

Archaeological ResourcesNo impacts No impacts No impacts No impacts

Other roads may have high archaeological potential High archaeological potential High archaeological potential

Built Heritage and Cultural Features


May affect cultural heritage resources on other roads where property is required

May affect cultural heritage resources where property is required

May affect cultural heritage resources where property is required

Technical CriteriaDo


TravelDemand

Management




Ability to Address Problem/Opportunity No Partially Partially No Partially Yes

Recommendation Carried forward for

comparison purposes only

Recommended in combination with other alternatives

Recommended in combination with other

alternativesNot recommended

Recommended in combination with other

alternativesRecommended

Least

Positive

Most

Positive


Stakeholder Comments

27

The study commencement notice was issued in January, and a Stakeholders Group meeting was held in June, 2013. Some of the comments and suggestions raised in response to the notice and meeting were:


Comment Response

Protect landowners’ interest and ensure good planning principles

Comments noted

Around the Embleton Road intersection, road widening to occur only on the east side, where there are no dwellings

Comment noted and will be considered while developing alternative designs in the next phase of the project.

Effects on private property/businesses, property values and quality of life

As part of the alternative designs, efforts will be made to avoid/minimize impact to adjacent properties. Appropriate mitigation measures will be taken where impact is unavoidable.

Major cycling route; consider bicycle lanes or paved shoulders on both sides

Comment noted and will be considered while developing alternative designs in the next phase of the project.

Consider roundabout at Heritage Road/Embleton Road intersection

Comment noted and will be considered while developing alternative designs in the next phase of the project

Loss of land/access at church and cemetery All existing accesses will be maintained. Any impacts will be mitigated.

Water and sewage management Water and sewage management falls under the jurisdiction of the Region of Peel and will be coordinated with the Region.

Significant increase in regional traffic going through the neighbourhood with road widening

Traffic analysis shows that 80% of traffic using Heritage Road will be either originated from or destined to Brampton in 2031. Only 20% will be “through traffic”.

Maintain local heritage and rural character of the area Comment noted.

Preliminary Preferred Solutions


Preliminary Preferred Solutions Description

Transit Treatments Improvements at specific locations to improve the effectiveness of transit service

Travel Demand ManagementCarpool areas, shuttle buses, flexible work hours, and other facilities to support Bus Rapid Transit at Steeles Avenue

Intersection Improvements Auxiliary lanes, property access relocation, signalization, and/or roundabouts at intersections

Road Widening Widening Heritage Road from 2 to 4 through lanes

Based on the evaluation of alternative solutions and consultation with agencies and stakeholders, the preliminary preferred solution is a combination of the following alternatives:

Next Steps

29

Following this PIC, we will:

+ Review your comments

+ Select the preferred solution based on study findings and your comments

+ Develop and evaluate alternative design concepts, impact assessments and mitigating measures for the preferred solution and determine the preliminary preferred design

+ Arrange Public Information Centre No. 2 to present the alternative design concepts, including the preliminary preferred design, and obtain public comments

+ Finalize preliminary preferred design

+ Prepare an Environmental Study Report for Public Review


Share Your Comments

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Submit your comments by October 3, 2013:

Thank you!

Bishnu Parajuli, M.A.Sc., P.Eng. Brian Malone, P.Eng.

Project EngineerCity of Brampton8850 McLaughlin Road, Unit 2Brampton, Ontario L6Y 5T1

Consultant Project ManagerCIMA Canada Inc.3027 Harvester Road, Suite 400Burlington, Ontario L7N 3G7

Phone: 905-874-2500Fax: 905-874-2599TTY: 905-874-2130Email: [email protected]

Phone: 289-288-0287 ext. 6802Fax: 289-288-0285

Email: [email protected]


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