1. St.
Joseph boulevard/Jeanne d'arc boulevard roundabout
cARREFOUR GIRATOIRE DU
BOULEVARD ST-JOSEPH ET DU BOULEVARD JEANNE-D'ARc
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS AS AMENDED
That Council:
1. Approve the concept design for a
roundabout at St. Joseph Boulevard and Jeanne d'Arc Boulevard.
2. Direct staff to continue with the
detailed design, tender and construction implementation, subject to the project being
approved by the Ontario Government.
3. Approve that an amount
equal to any future funding for intersection improvements for Jeanne D’Arc
Boulevard/St. Joseph Boulevard, which would have been applied to this project,
be allocated towards streetscape enhancements to the Heart of Orléans
initiative in a future capital budget.
RECOMMANDATIONS MODIFIÉES DU COMITÉ
Que le Conseil :
1. Approuve
le concept d'un carrefour giratoire à l'intersection des boulevards St‑Joseph
et Jeanne-d'Arc.
2. Donne
l’instruction au personnel de procéder à la conception détaillée, à l'appel
d'offres et à la réalisation des travaux, sous réserve de l’approbation du
projet par le gouvernement de l’Ontario.
3. Approuve qu’un montant égal à tout
financement futur accordé pour les améliorations de l’intersection des
boulevards Jeanne-d’Arc et St-Joseph qui serait alloué à ce projet soit alloué
à l’initiative d’amélioration en matière de paysage de rue du cœur d’Orléans
dans un budget d’immobilisations à venir.
Documentation
1. Deputy City Manager’s report,
Infrastructure Services and Community Sustainability, dated 27 January 2010 (ACS2010-ICS-PGM-0043).
2. Extract of Draft Minute, 3 February
2010 to be distributed prior to Council.
Report to/Rapport au :
Comité des transports
and Council / et au Conseil
27 January 2009 / le 27 janvier 2009
Submitted by/Soumis par : Nancy Schepers, Deputy City Manager/
Directrice municipale adjointe,
Infrastructure Services and
Community Sustainability/
Services d 'infrastructure et
Viabilité des collectivités
Contact Person/Personne-ressource : Richard Kilstrom, Manager/Gestionnaire, Policy Development and Urban Design/Élaboration de la politique et conception urbaine, Planning and Growth Management/Urbanisme et Gestion de la croissance Élaboration de la politique et conception urbaine
(613)
580-2424 x22653, Richard.Kilstrom@ottawa.ca
SUBJECT:
|
|
|
|
|
OBJET :
|
cARREFOUR GIRATOIRE DU BOULEVARD ST-JOSEPH ET DU BOULEVARD JEANNE-D'ARc |
REPORT
RECOMMENDATIONS
That Transportation Committee recommend that Council:
1. Approve the concept design for a roundabout at St. Joseph
Boulevard and Jeanne d'Arc Boulevard.
2. Direct staff to continue with the detailed design, tender
and construction implementation, subject to the project being approved by the Ontario Government..
RECOMMANDATIONS DU
RAPPORT
Que le Comité des
transports recommande au Conseil :
1. D'approuver le concept
d'un carrefour giratoire à l'intersection des boulevards St‑Joseph et
Jeanne-d'Arc.
2. De donner instruction au
personnel de procéder à la conception détaillée, à l'appel d'offres et à la
réalisation des travaux, sous réserve de l’approbation du projet par le
gouvernement de l’Ontario.
BACKGROUND
In May 2002, the City of Ottawa commissioned The Planning Partnership (a group of architectural, landscaping and business consultants) to study the St. Joseph Boulevard corridor. "The purpose...was to establish a framework to guide the evolution of a new form of development along St. Joseph Boulevard to create a lively, vibrant and diverse district with a mix of places to live, work, shop and play." The report, titled St. Joseph Boulevard Corridor Study, was approved by City Council in 2003. The Study represents the City's official planning and development guide for revitalizing the area into a more urban and pedestrian-friendly setting, however it did not prioritize the recommended streetscape improvements.
http://ottawa.ca/calendar/ottawa/citycouncil/occ/2003/04-09/pdc/ACS2003-DEV-APR-0001.htm
In July 2008, the Heart of Orléans Business Improvement Area (BIA) hired a consultant to develop a streetscape strategic plan for the area in order for the BIA to "capitalize on funding opportunities for improvements and influence public and private sector revitalization of the area." In both reports, primary nodes are referenced as "gateways to the Heart of Orléans BIA and provide a welcoming sense of arrival for pedestrians and drivers". One of these major gateways (primary nodes) is St. Joseph Boulevard and Jeanne d'Arc Boulevard. In December 2008, the "Heart of Orléans Business Improvement Area Streetscape Strategic Plan" was completed, with input from city staff, and it proposed a schedule of improvements over a phased period between 2009 and 2018. A high priority in the Strategic Plan is the landscape and streetscape design modifications related to the Gateway Nodes at Jeanne d’Arc Boulevard, Orléans Boulevard and Place d’Orleans Drive (west). Funding of $2.5 million has been identified subsequently through the Infrastructure Canada – Infrastructure Stimulus Fund and the Province of Ontario to implement the St. Joseph Boulevard Streetscape project, focusing on the priority intersections indicated above.
DISCUSSION
St. Joseph Boulevard Streetscaping was submitted as a project for the Federal Stimulus Program. It was accepted as a federal stimulus project and given a total budget of $2.5M (including engineering and construction). Upon the acceptance of this project for federal stimulus, the BIA, its consultant (same consultant hired by the City for this project), and city staff have been working together to determine how best to spend this money in the short time available. All of the options in the streetscape strategic plan were considered and the BIA determined that its preferred option is a focused streetscape project, with the preference being a roundabout at St. Joseph Boulevard and Jeanne d'Arc Boulevard, with other modifications to the boulevard proposed for Orleans Boulevard and Place d'Orleans Drive (west intersection). This project was presented at the BIA's Annual General Meeting. The BIA’s executive approved the project, subject to the open house feedback.
For the priority Gateway Nodes identified above, the following elements have been included in the design concepts:
· Jeanne d’Arc Boulevard Intersection – a multi-lane roundabout is proposed as indicated in the concept drawing in Document 2. The roundabout provides a very strong opportunity for the introduction of significant streetscaping and landscaping features at this location as well as providing for vehicular capacity, pedestrian and cycling requirements at the intersection.
· Orléans Boulevard Intersection – streetscaping and landscaping concepts are also proposed for this location. For consistency and continuity in the corridor, key elements of streetscaping and landscaping from the Jeanne d’Arc Boulevard intersection design have been included in the design concept for this intersection.
· Place d’Orléans Drive, West Intersection – as above, key elements of the streetscaping and landscaping proposals included in the Jeanne d’Arc Boulevard intersection design, have been included in this design concept.
On Thursday, January 14th, the City undertook a public open house on this project. The details of the discussion and comments are found in Document 3. During the week of January 18th, a Roadway Modification Application (RMA) was also being prepared for submittal to the two Ward Councillors. Due to the very tight timeline of this project, staff was proceeding with the design of the roundabout on the assumption that the RMA would pass. If the two councillors do not sign the RMA, and if the staff report does not get carried by City Council, staff will then halt the design of the roundabout, and work will proceed on Plan ‘B’, which is minor landscaping throughout the corridor. The BIA, consultant and staff all agree that the latter option – Plan ‘B’- is not preferred as it will have minimal positive impact on St. Joseph Boulevard as compared to the St. Joseph Boulevard / Jeanne d'Arc Boulevard roundabout.
If the roundabout is approved, the tender
would be awarded by approximately the beginning of May, with construction
commencing approximately by the beginning of June. Included in this tender is the roundabout at St. Joseph Boulevard
/ Jeanne d’Arc Boulevard, and the streetscaping and landscaping modifications
at the intersections of St. Joseph Boulevard and Orléans Boulevard and Place
d’Orléans Drive West. If the roundabout
is not approved, staff will proceed with Plan ‘B’, the tender award will be
delayed one month to approximately the beginning of June, with construction
commencing approximately the beginning of July. We are aware that all federal
funding has to be spent by March 2011 and therefore will endeavour to fast
track the design and tender as much as possible.
The technical and operational implications of
the roundabout proposal are summarized as follows:
·
Streetscaping/Landscaping Opportunities
o Presents
a very strong opportunity for the inclusion of significant streetscaping /
landscaping features.
o Defines
and enhances the western “gateway” of the St. Joseph Boulevard corridor.
·
Safety Considerations
o
There have been 67 collisions at this location
in the last 3 years, rendering it one of the City's worst intersections.
o
Roundabouts result in lower speeds through the
intersection. The overall number of
collisions is reduced (up to 40%) and collision severity is reduced substantially
(up to 90%).
·
Intersection Capacity
o
Based on 2031 projected traffic volumes, the
existing traffic control signal will operate at Level of Service (LOS) 'E',
(i.e. at capacity based on existing geometry).
o
Under 2031 projected traffic volumes, the
proposed roundabout will operate at LOS 'A' (i.e. highest level of operating
capacity).
o
Conclusion: The proposed roundabout will provide
greater capacity under both existing and future traffic volumes, compared to
the existing signalized intersection.
o
The proposed roundabout will reduce existing and
future delays at the intersection.
o
Existing and future vehicle queue lengths will
be reduced at the intersection.
·
Pedestrians
o
Pedestrian crossings are located on the
approaches to the roundabout, incorporating a central refuge island. Pedestrians are required to only look
one-way for approaching traffic for each leg of the crossing. Motorists must give way to pedestrians in
the pedestrian crossing.
·
Cyclists
o
Cyclists will be accommodated on the channelized
lanes of the roundabout in the northeast and southwest quadrants of the
intersection. In the northwest and
southeast quadrants a multi-use pathway will be included for cyclist usage.
·
Traffic Calming Feature
o
Roundabout geometry and increased
streetscape/landscape elements will reduce speeds through the intersection (to
between 25 and 40 km/h, as opposed to existing speeds exceeding 50km/h) and on
adjacent sections of St. Joseph Boulevard and Jeanne d'Arc Boulevard.
·
Operational Considerations
o
Roundabouts allow 'U turns' to be made at the
intersection.
o
Roundabouts reduce ongoing maintenance costs
compared to traffic control signals (e.g. ongoing costs for power and signal
component replacement).
o
Roundabouts reduce delays and dangers associated
with traffic signal 'outages'.
·
Environmental Benefits
o
Roundabouts greatly reduce idling and therefore
decrease the amount of emissions.
·
Driver Education and City Policy
o
The City of Ottawa is committed to a program of
driver education regarding the use of roundabouts. As well, Council has directed staff to consider roundabouts as an
alternative to traffic control signals at existing intersections.
o
The City has received funding in the amount of
$100,000 from Transport Canada for a public education campaign on the use of
roundabouts.
·
Roundabouts in North America
o
There are approximately 1200 roundabouts in
North America.
o
There are over a hundred roundabouts in Canada,
and this figure is growing rapidly.
o
There are approximately 15 roundabouts
constructed or in an advanced stage of design in Ottawa. A multi-lane roundabout at the bottom of the
southbound exit off the Airport Parkway at Brookfield Road and Flannery Drive
has been recently completed and is in operation. Two multi-lane roundabouts are included in the design of the Trim
Road widening, south of Innes Road.
·
Estimated Cost of St. Joseph/Jeanne d’Arc
Roundabout
o
Subject to final design, the preliminary
construction cost estimate is $1.75M.
o
The remaining funds from $2.5M stimulus funding
will be used to provide streetscaping and landscaping modifications at Orléans
Boulevard and Place d'Orléans Drive West.
·
Property Requirements
o
The roundabout can be constructed within the
existing City of Ottawa Right-of-Way (ROW).
No land acquisition is required.
o
With the proposed roundabout geometry,
additional land is made available within the City ROW, for
landscaping/streetscaping.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPLICATIONS
The major environmental benefits of
roundabout construction at this location, compared to the existing signalized
intersection, stem from the fact that roundabouts greatly reduce vehicle idling
time and therefore decrease the ongoing amount of vehicle emissions.
CONSULTATION
Public consultations were undertaken in January 2010, in accordance with the requirements of the Schedule ‘B’ Municipal Class Environmental Assessment Process (MEA, October 2000 as amended in 2007). The Notice of Study Commencement of the Environmental Assessment (EA) Study and of the public open house meeting was placed in major newspapers on January 8, 2010. A public open house was held on January 14, 2010, at the Bob MacQuarrie Recreation Complex, where a total of 52 persons signed-in. Comment Sheets received immediately following the meeting indicate approximately seventy (70) percent support for construction of the roundabout. Other correspondence (emails and letters) received indicated approximately fifty (50) percent support for the roundabout construction. Comments received are summarized in Document 3.
RURAL IMPLICATIONS
N/A
COMMENTS BY THE WARD COUNCILLOR(S)
Councillors for Wards 1 and 2 have reviewed the report, have knowledge of the situation, and reserve their rights to comment.
LEGAL/RISK MANAGEMENT IMPLICATIONS
There are no legal/risk management
impediments to the implementation of this Report’s recommendations. Should the project not be approved by OMAFRA,
staff can proceed with Plan ‘B’.
CITY STRATEGIC PLAN
The proposed project supports the following priorities and objectives:
Transportation Priority
Objective A1 - Improve the City’s transportation network to afford ease of mobility, keep pace with growth, reduce congestion and work towards modal split targets, by improving on the Level of Service and by improving on the mobility and safety of pedestrians.
Sustainable Healthy and Active City Priority
Objective E3 - Expand the amount of city-owned green space in Ottawa, by reducing the amount of pavement at the intersection and increasing the amount of ‘soft’ boulevard for a landscaped roundabout, sidewalks and/or multi-use pathways, soft landscaping, seating and tree planting.
Planning and Growth Management Priority
Objective F1 - Become leading edge in community and urban design including housing creation for those in the city living on low incomes and residents at large, by making improvements to the main street and creating a gateway node in the Heart of Orléans Business Improvement Area.
TECHNICAL IMPLICATIONS
N/A
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS
Subject to the provincial approval of a scope change to ISF project 2647 to include a roundabout, funds are available within 905307 ISF – St. Joseph Boulevard Streetscaping.
SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION
Document 1 Key Map of Study Area
Document 2 Roundabout
Concept Drawing
Document 3 Consultation Details
DISPOSITION
Subject to approval of this report, under the direction of the City’s Infrastructure Services Department and with continued urban design input from the Planning and Growth Management Department, financial design drawings and contract documents for the roundabout construction (or Plan ‘B’ streetscaping and landscaping initiatives) will be prepared by the City’s consultant, IBI Group.
DOCUMENT 1
Key Map of Study Area
DOCUMENT 2
Roundabout Concept Drawing
