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6. OTTAWA ROAD 174 ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT
ÉVALUATION ENVIRONNEMENTALE DE LA ROUTE 174 D’OTTAWA
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That Council approve:
1. That the Provincial offer of $5M to complete an Environmental Assessment of the widening of OR 174/Prescott Russell Road 17 be utilized under the following conditions:
a. That the widening of Highway 417 to fix the split westerly to Nicholas Street is fully funded with a commitment to implement by 2015;
b. All costs related to the City of Ottawa’s planned Environmental Assessment from 417/174 split easterly to Jeanne D’Arc be drawn from the Provincial offer of $5M;
c. The remaining funds be used to complete the Environmental Assessment of OR 174 / Prescott-Russell Road 17 from Jeanne D’Arc easterly and that the study be borne by the Province or the United Counties of Prescott and Russell with the City providing input on the scope of the study prior to the call for proposals;
d. That the Environmental Assessment from Jeanne D’Arc easterly look at the downstream effect on the City’s infrastructure, and that the study include a cost benefit analysis and a full exploration of all alternatives; and,
e. That the Environmental Assessment from Jeanne D’Arc easterly requires final approval by City of Ottawa Council.
2. That the results of the Environmental Study for the widening of OR 174 from Jeanne D’Arc easterly be considered and incorporated into the City’s updated Transportation Master Plan.
Que le Conseil approuve:
1. que le financement de 5 millions de dollars du gouvernement de l’Ontario soit utilisé pour mener une évaluation environnementale portant sur l’élargissement de la route 174 d’Ottawa et de la route 17 de Prescott-Russel, selon les modalités suivantes :
a. L’élargissement de l’autoroute 417 à la hauteur de la jonction à l’ouest de la rue Nicholas est entièrement financé et doit être réalisé d’ici 2015;
b. Tous les coûts liés à l’évaluation environnementale prévue de la Ville d’Ottawa, laquelle porte sur l’élargissement de la route 174 entre l’embranchement de l’autoroute 417 et de la route 174 et le boulevard Jeanne D'Arc, seront couverts par le financement de 5 millions de dollars du gouvernement de l’Ontario;
c. Les fonds restants seront utilisés pour mener l’évaluation environnementale sur le tronçon de la route 174 d’Ottawa et de la route 17 de Prescott-Russel à l’est du boulevard Jeanne D'Arc; l’étude sera assumée par le gouvernement de l’Ontario ou les Comtés unis de Prescott et Russell, de concert avec la Ville qui documentera la portée de l’étude avant que l’appel de propositions ne soit lancé;
d. L’évaluation environnementale portant sur le tronçon de la route 174 depuis l’est du boulevard Jeanne D'Arc tient compte des activités en aval concernant l’infrastructure de la Ville et comporte une analyse coûts-avantages de même qu’une étude exhaustive des autres possibilités;
e. L’évaluation environnementale portant sur le tronçon de la route 174 depuis l’est du boulevard Jeanne D'Arc nécessite l’approbation finale du Conseil municipal d’Ottawa.
2. que les résultats de l’évaluation environnementale sur l’élargissement de la route 174 depuis l’est du boulevard Jeanne D'Arc soient analysés et intégrés au Plan directeur des transports révisé de la Ville.
Documentation
1. Transportation Committee Coordinator’s report dated 6 April 2011 (ACS2011-CMR-TRC-0011).
2. Extract of draft minutes, Transportation Committee, dated 6 April 2011.
Report to/Rapport au :
6 April 2011 / le 6 avril 2011
Submitted by/Soumis par: Rosemary Theriault, Transportation Committee Coordinator / Coordonnatrice du Comité des transports.
Contact Person/Personne ressource : As above/tel qu’indiqué
(613) 580-2424 ext./poste 21624 – Rosemary.Theriault@ottawa.ca
SUBJECT: |
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OBJET : |
1. That the Provincial offer of $5M to complete an Environmental Assessment of the widening of OR 174/Prescott Russell Road 17 be utilized under the following conditions:
a. That the widening of Highway 417 to fix the split westerly to Nicholas Street is fully funded with a commitment to implement by 2015;
b. All costs related to the City of Ottawa’s planned Environmental Assessment from 417/174 split easterly to Jeanne D’Arc be drawn from the Provincial offer of $5M;
c. The remaining funds be used to complete the Environmental Assessment of OR 174 / Prescott-Russell Road 17 from Jeanne D’Arc easterly and that the study be borne by the Province or the United Counties of Prescott and Russell with the City providing input on the scope of the study prior to the call for proposals;
d. That the Environmental Assessment from Jeanne D’Arc easterly look at the downstream effect on the City’s infrastructure, and that the study include a cost benefit analysis and a full exploration of all alternatives; and,
e. That the Environmental Assessment from Jeanne D’Arc easterly requires final approval by City of Ottawa Council.
2. That the results of the Environmental Study for the widening of OR 174 from Jeanne D’Arc easterly be considered and incorporated into the City’s updated Transportation Master Plan.
1. Que le financement de 5 millions de dollars du gouvernement de l’Ontario soit utilisé pour mener une évaluation environnementale portant sur l’élargissement de la route 174 d’Ottawa et de la route 17 de Prescott-Russel, selon les modalités suivantes :
a. L’élargissement de l’autoroute 417 à la hauteur de la jonction à l’ouest de la rue Nicholas est entièrement financé et doit être réalisé d’ici 2015;
b. Tous les coûts liés à l’évaluation environnementale prévue de la Ville d’Ottawa, laquelle porte sur l’élargissement de la route 174 entre l’embranchement de l’autoroute 417 et de la route 174 et le boulevard Jeanne D'Arc, seront couverts par le financement de 5 millions de dollars du gouvernement de l’Ontario;
c. Les fonds restants seront utilisés pour mener l’évaluation environnementale sur le tronçon de la route 174 d’Ottawa et de la route 17 de Prescott-Russel à l’est du boulevard Jeanne D'Arc; l’étude sera assumée par le gouvernement de l’Ontario ou les Comtés unis de Prescott et Russell, de concert avec la Ville qui documentera la portée de l’étude avant que l’appel de propositions ne soit lancé;
d. L’évaluation environnementale portant sur le tronçon de la route 174 depuis l’est du boulevard Jeanne D'Arc tient compte des activités en aval concernant l’infrastructure de la Ville et comporte une analyse coûts-avantages de même qu’une étude exhaustive des autres possibilités;
e. L’évaluation environnementale portant sur le tronçon de la route 174 depuis l’est du boulevard Jeanne D'Arc nécessite l’approbation finale du Conseil municipal d’Ottawa.
2. Que les résultats de l’évaluation environnementale sur l’élargissement de la route 174 depuis l’est du boulevard Jeanne D'Arc soient analysés et intégrés au Plan directeur des transports révisé de la Ville.
On behalf of Councillor Blais, Councillor Monette moved the addition of this item at the Transportation Committee meeting of 6 April 2011: The following motion was added and after a brief discussion, was approved.
WHEREAS Ottawa Road 174 is a fundamental transportation link and critical to future growth in Orléans and continuing east; and
WHEREAS to accommodate growth west of Trim Road along OR 174, the City of Ottawa will be completing an Environmental Assessment on the widening of OR 174 from the Highway 417/174 split to Jeanne D’Arc, as identified as a Phase 1 and Phase 2 project in the Transportation Master plan; and
WHEREAS the planned Ministry of Transportation widening of Highway 417 from Nicholas Street to the 417/174 split is anticipated to be completed prior to 2016; and
WHEREAS the City of Ottawa’s Official Plan and Transportation Master Plan does not currently identify the need to widen the 174 east of Jeanne D’Arc Blvd; and
WHEREAS in 2008 the Province of Ontario offered the City of Ottawa $ 5 million to fund an Environmental Assessment for the widening of the OR 174 / Prescott Russell Road 17; and
WHEREAS the Provincial offer of $5 million is still available;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Provincial offer of $5 million to complete an Environmental Assessment of the widening of OR 174/Prescott Russell Road 17 be utilized under the following conditions:
a) That the widening of Highway 417 to fix the split westerly to Nicholas Street is fully funded with a commitment to implement by 2015;
b) All costs related to the City of Ottawa’s planned Environmental Assessment from 417/174 Split easterly to Jeanne D’Arc be drawn from the Provincial offer of $5 million;
c) The remaining funds be used to complete the Environmental Assessment of OR 174 / Prescott-Russell Road 17 from Jeanne D’Arc easterly and that the study be borne by the Province or the United Counties of Prescott and Russell with the City providing input on the scope of the study prior to the call for proposals;
d) That the Environmental Assessment from Jeanne D’Arc easterly look at the downstream effect on the City’s infrastructure, and that the study include a cost benefit analysis and a full exploration of all alternatives; and,
e) That the Environmental Assessment from Jeanne D’Arc easterly requires final approval by City of Ottawa Council.
THEREFORE BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED the results of the Environmental Study for the widening of the OR 174 from Jeanne D’Arc easterly be considered and incorporated into the City’s updated Transportation Master Plan.
Staff comment will be issued separately.
Comment will be issued separately.
Comment will be issued separately.
N/A
Staff will implement the direction of Council as appropriate.
Document 1
OTTAWA ROAD 174 ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT
ÉVALUATION ENVIRONNEMENTALE DE LA ROUTE 174 D’OTTAWA
ACS2011-CMR-TRC-0011 CUMBERLAND (19)
Moved by B. Monette
That the Transportation Committee approve the addition of this item for consideration by the Committee at today’s meeting, pursuant to Section 84(3) of the Procedures By-law (being By-law No. 2006-462): Ottawa Road 174 Environmental Assessment.
CARRIED
Councillor Monette advised that he would be putting forward a Motion on behalf of Councillor Blais.
In speaking to the Motion, Councillor Blais stated that this is a very important project for the future of Cumberland and Orleans and communities further east. Given the growth in the east and despite the fact that 60% of commuters use the bus to get to work, this highway needs to be widened desperately to improve the economic viability of the city. This is a very dangerous stretch of road and there have been nearly 400 accidents, some fatal, along this two-lane highway in the last five years. Responding to these accidents takes precious resources from police, fire and paramedics and traffic has to be diverted through Cumberland village, which has a detrimental impact on the community. He recognized that the widening of this road is a priority for the province and that both the federal and provincial governments have offered $40M each, to build the road, from Trim Road to Rockland. He felt this EA would provide the opportunity to understand all the facts that are required to widen the road, how much land is required, what the environmental impacts are, what the traffic impact is. He hoped the Committee would support this Motion.
Councillor Monette indicated his support for the Motion, although he had not supported similar Motions in the past. Recognizing the dangerous conditions of the road and given the fact the province has offered the funding he agreed that the City should move forward.
The Chair noted that the Motion refers to the fact that the Official Plan and the Transportation Master Plan do not currently identify the need to widen OR 174 east of Jeanne d’Arc Boulevard and she asked why this need has not been identified, especially given the safety concerns expressed by the ward councillor. Vivi Chi, Manager, Transportation Planning confirmed that the TMP only shows a widening of OR 174 from the split to Jeanne d’Arc, but it does not identify any further widening. She explained that near the city limits the road is downgraded to an arterial because there are a number of homes that have direct access onto the road. With regards to the safety issues, she confirmed that staff in Public Works have conducted a safety audit study, which was presented to the Committee and Council about 18 to 24 months ago and there is an action plan with respect to how to improve the safety situation on that road, but not the capacity.
She agreed there would be pressure and congestion until all the infrastructure that is identified to 2031 in the TMP has been implemented. She reminded Committee that there are two transit facilities to the east and there are also a number of roads being widened in that area as well so there are a number of other roads in the network serving the east end. She agreed staff would be willing to have a look a the study that is called for in the Motion, agreeing that more information is better and could result in not having to widen OR 174 based on future conditions with other infrastructure in place or it could result in requiring an update to the TMP. She confirmed the money referred to in the Motion would be enough to conduct the necessary study.
Councillor Bloess recognized that the additional capacity provided by the widening would bring more traffic from the outlying areas such as Rockland and other counties and this would have an impact on the City’s infrastructure. He referred to the future interprovincial crossing being contemplated by the senior levels of government and asked if the study proposed in the Motion would take that crossing into account. Ms. Chi confirmed that the study would not be done in isolation and that an east end bridge on OR 174 would have to be assessed as part of that bridge crossing.
Councillor Chernushenko wondered if the EA could be designed in such a way to lead to the most appropriate alternatives that might be available, i.e. that it not necessarily be a road for people to drive on. Ms. Chi confirmed that the Environmental Assessment Act requires that all alternatives be examined. The councillor further asked if approving this Motion somehow undermines the City’s investment in LRT and public transit and Ms. Chi explained that the study would examine the need first, and whether or not that need can be accommodated by all the other infrastructure that currently exists or that the City is planning to put in based on the existing TMP. She added that the study would look at the end state rather than interim.
Moved by B. Monette
WHEREAS Ottawa Road 174 is a fundamental transportation link and critical to future growth in Orléans and continuing east; and
WHEREAS to accommodate growth west of Trim Road along OR 174, the City of Ottawa will be completing an Environmental Assessment on the widening of OR 174 from the Highway 417/174 split to Jeanne D’Arc, as identified as a Phase 1 and Phase 2 project in the Transportation Master plan; and
WHEREAS the planned Ministry of Transportation widening of Highway 417 from Nicholas Street to the 417/174 split is anticipated to be completed prior to 2016; and
WHEREAS the City of Ottawa’s Official Plan and Transportation Master Plan does not currently identify the need to widen OR 174 east of Jeanne D’Arc; and
WHEREAS in 2008 the Province of Ontario offered the City of Ottawa $5M to fund an Environmental Assessment for the widening of OR 174 / Prescott Russell Road 17; and
WHEREAS the Provincial offer of $5M is still available;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Provincial offer of $5M to complete an Environmental Assessment of the widening of OR 174/Prescott Russell Road 17 be utilized under the following conditions:
a) That the widening of Highway 417 to fix the split westerly to Nicholas Street is fully funded with a commitment to implement by 2015;
b) All costs related to the City of Ottawa’s planned Environmental Assessment from 417/174 split easterly to Jeanne D’Arc be drawn from the Provincial offer of $5M;
c) The remaining funds be used to complete the Environmental Assessment of OR 174 / Prescott-Russell Road 17 from Jeanne D’Arc easterly and that the study be borne by the Province or the United Counties of Prescott and Russell with the City providing input on the scope of the study prior to the call for proposals;
d) That the Environmental Assessment from Jeanne D’Arc easterly look at the downstream effect on the City’s infrastructure, and that the study include a cost benefit analysis and a full exploration of all alternatives; and,
e) That the Environmental Assessment from Jeanne D’Arc easterly requires final approval by City of Ottawa Council.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the results of the Environmental Study for the widening of OR 174 from Jeanne D’Arc easterly be considered and incorporated into the City’s updated Transportation Master Plan.
CARRIED