Report to / Rapport au :

 

Transportation Committee

Comité des transports

 

11 April 2011 / le 11 avril 2011

 

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 : Vivi Chi, Manager/Gestionnaire, Transportation Planning/Planification des transports, Planning and Growth Management/Urbanisme et Gestion de la croissance

(613) 580-2424 x21877, vivi.chi@ottawa.ca

 

Somerset (14), Kitchissippi (15)

Ref N°: ACS2011-ICS-PGM-0102

 

 

SUBJECT:

MULTI-USE CROSSING OF THE O-TRAIN CORRIDOR NEAR HICKORY STREET ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT STUDY – STATEMENT OF WORK

 

 

OBJET :

Étude de l’évaluation environnementale de la passerelle polyvalente du corridor de l’o-train près de la rue hickory – énoncé des travaux

 

 

REPORT RECOMMENDATIONS

 

That Transportation Committee approve the Statement of Work for the Multi-use Crossing of the O-Train Corridor near Hickory Street Environmental Assessment Study, as detailed in Document 1.

 

RECOMMANDATION DU RAPPORT

 

Que le Comité des transports approuve l’énoncé des travaux relatif à l’étude d’évaluation environnementale de la passerelle polyvalente du corridor de l’O-Train près de la rue Hickory, comme il est expliqué en détail dans le Document 1.

 

 

BACKGROUND

 

On 06 October 2010, the Planning and Environment Committee approved a zoning amendment application for 125 Hickory Street.  As part of that approval, the developer (Soho Champagne Condominiums Inc.) is required to contribute funding for the design and construction of a pedestrian bridge connecting Hickory Street and Adeline Street over the O-Train corridor.  The developer’s contribution of $57,811 is contingent upon construction of the bridge commencing by 15 November 2015.  The City is also pursuing contributions for the pedestrian bridge from the developers of other nearby properties.  This report describes the scope of work for an Environmental Assessment study, as a first step towards implementing this new pedestrian/cycling crossing.

 

The implementation of the pedestrian/cyclist crossing at Hickory Street is supported by the Official Plan and other related plans and policy documents:

 

·         The Strategic Directions identified in the Official Plan include the creation of environments that are pedestrian-friendly and highly favourable to cyclists, consistent with the overall goal of creating a transportation system that emphasizes both mobility and accessibility.

·         The Transportation Master Plan (TMP) recommends that the City require the additional provision of pedestrian facilities that provide “direct, high-quality pedestrian connections to rapid transit stations, bus stops and other major walking destinations; and pedestrian crossings to link neighbourhoods that are separated by roads or other physical barriers, where safety considerations permit”.  The TMP also states that the City will “provide walking and cycling crossings of rapid transit corridors, where physical constraints allow, considering the level of demand and alternative crossing opportunities”.

·         The Ottawa Pedestrian Plan and Ottawa Cycling Plan both include a number of supporting statements, such as the objective of creating viable pedestrian and cycling connections across major physical barriers, the importance of identifying and overcoming barriers to achieving pedestrian and cycling network connectivity and a priority on linking pedestrians and cyclists to transit.

·         The Vision for the Preston-Champagne Secondary Policy Plan identifies “enhanced open space/linkages” as a priority, highlights the pathway linkage along the Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) corridor from Dow's Lake to Somerset Street as a major feature of the Greenway system within the area, and specifically calls for improved east-west pedestrian linkages across the CPR corridor.  With regard to the O-Train corridor, the Vision also confirms the need to minimize barriers between adjacent residential neighbourhoods by the creation of new pathway links.

·         The Carling-Bayview Light Rail Transit Corridor Community Design Plan study (underway) identifies a new pedestrian bridge across the O-Train corridor at Hickory Street as part of a preliminary Open Spaces and Green Linkages plan, and also confirms the need to increase opportunities for east-west non-motorized linkages across the O‑Train corridor.

 

DISCUSSION

 

This Study will be carried out as a Schedule ‘B’ Class Environmental Assessment (EA) as set out in the Municipal Engineers Association: Municipal Class Environmental Assessment document. A Schedule ‘B’ EA is approved under the municipal class EA process, subject to a screening process and consultation with directly affected members of the public and relevant review agencies.  There is no formal Environmental Study Report required, but a Project File is created to document the screening and consultation process, and then the project proceeds to construction.

 

The Canadian Environmental Assessment Act (CEAA) defines the requirements for federal Environmental Assessments.  One of the triggers for a federal EA is when a federal department has to issue an approval for the project under federal legislation specified in the CEAA “law list”.  Based on a review of relevant federal legislation, staff do not anticipate that any federal department approvals will be required and therefore do not expect that a federal EA will be required.  If any federal requirements are identified through the course of the Study, they will be addressed through the EA process.

The Study area will primarily encompass the O-Train corridor between Carling Avenue and Beech Street, bounded to the east and west by Preston Street and Champagne Avenue respectively, as shown in Figure 1 of Document 1.

 

The objective of the Study is to determine the best solution for providing a pedestrian and cycling connection across the O-Train corridor near Hickory Street by satisfying the requirements of the Municipal Class EA Planning and Design Process for a Schedule ‘B’ undertaking, including:

 

·         Justification for a new pedestrian and cycling crossing of the O-Train corridor near Hickory Street;

·         Identification and evaluation of alternative crossing solutions and their impacts on the environment;

·         Identification of a preferred crossing solution;

·         Development of design options and a recommended design;

·         Development of a cost estimate for the total project; and

·         Consultation with stakeholders and the public.

 

STUDY TIMING

 

It is expected that it will take approximately six months after contract award to complete this Study.

 

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPLICATIONS

 

The Study will examine and evaluate the project’s environmental implications, and will recommend appropriate mitigation measures.

 

RURAL IMPLICATIONS

 

N/A

 

CONSULTATION

 

The Study will involve consultation with directly affected members of the public and relevant review agencies, as well as the City of Ottawa Urban Design Review Panel.

 

COMMENTS BY THE WARD COUNCILLORS

 

Councillor Katherine Hobbs:  “I understand from the community that there is an eagerness to establish this pedestrian and cyclist crossing as soon as possible.  It will serve to improve the liveability factors in the Champagne/Hickory neighbourhood by forging stronger links between these Kitchissippi residents and the Preston Street businesses.  Providing this additional link across the O-Train trench will enable increased cycling and pedestrian activities.

 

I am a strong supporter of the proposed bridge, and support the Statement of Work for the crossing as detailed in the report.”

 

Councillor Diane Holmes:  “I am supportive of increased and improved pedestrian and cycling linkages. Better access between the communities increases the liveability of these neighbourhoods and provides for more viable business areas and improved access to transit.”

 

Councillor McRae is aware of the staff report.

 

 

LEGAL/RISK MANAGEMENT IMPLICATIONS

 

There are no legal/risk management impediments to implementing the recommendations in this report.

 

CITY STRATEGIC PLAN

 

The recommendations contained herein directly supports the following objectives of the City Strategic Plan adopted by Council on 11 July 2007:

 

A1     Improve the City’s transportation network to afford ease of mobility, keep pace with growth, reduce congestion and work towards modal split targets;

D3     Reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 20 per cent by 2012; and

E6     Require walking, transit and cycling oriented communities and employment centres.

 

TECHNICAL IMPLICATIONS

 

N/A

 

FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS

 

Funds to undertake the EA study, which is estimated to cost $100,000, are available in capital account 905390 (Pedestrian Missing Links Studies).

 

SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION

 

Document 1    Multi-use Crossing of the O-Train Corridor near Hickory Street Environmental Assessment Study – Statement of Work

 

DISPOSITION

 

Following Committee approval of the attached Statement of Work, staff from the Planning and Growth Management Department will commence the process for retaining a consultant to assist with this Study.

 


MULTI-USE CROSSING OF THE O-TRAIN

CORRIDOR NEAR HICKORY STREET

ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT STUDY

 – STATEMENT OF WORK                                                                                DOCUMENT 1

 

 

City of Ottawa

Multi-use Crossing of the O-Train Corridor near Hickory Street

Environmental Assessment Study

 

STATEMENT OF WORK

 

1.                  INTRODUCTION

 

The City of Ottawa is initiating an Environmental Assessment (EA) Study for a new pedestrian and cycling crossing of the O-Train corridor between Carling Avenue and Beech Street.  This crossing near Hickory Street would connect Champagne Avenue on the west side of the O-Train corridor to the existing multi-use pathway on the east side of the O-Train corridor.  The Study area will generally encompass those lands bounded by existing pedestrian facilities along Carling Avenue, Champagne Avenue, Beech Street, and Preston Street (Figure 1).

This Statement of Work describes the City’s intentions with respect to the methodology, public consultation and deliverables for this Study and will form the basis for a retaining a consultant to assist with the Study upon approval from Transportation Committee.

 

Figure 1 – Multi-use Crossing of the O-Train Corridor near Hickory Street Environmental Assessment Study Area

2.                  STUDY OBJECTIVES

 

This Study will be carried out as a Schedule ‘B’ Class Environmental Assessment (EA) as set out in the Municipal Engineers Association: Municipal Class Environmental Assessment document.  Key considerations for the Study include the following:

·         Pedestrian and cyclist safety and security issues, including lighting;

·         Connections to existing pedestrian and cycling facilities;

·         Existing requirements for the rail corridor (O-Train operations);

·         Future requirements for the rail corridor, including construction, operating and access requirements for twinning of the tracks and the future LRT transit station;

·         Geotechnical, grading and drainage, and municipal infrastructure issues;

·         Full evaluation of any potential impacts on the environment;

·         Construction phasing and rail operations management during construction;

·         Design options and costs; and

·         Consultation with local residents, community groups and relevant review agencies.

 

3.                  SCOPE OF WORK

 

The Study will proceed in two stages: Study Design; and Project Screening (Environmental Assessment).

3.1              Study Design

 

At the start of the Study, a Study Design will be developed which will identify the key components and activities of the Study and expected deliverables. This Study Design will identify and clarify what the main issues are, how they might be addressed, and how project resources can be spent most effectively.  It will include:

·         A project organization chart including roles and responsibilities of project stakeholders;

·         A public/stakeholder consultation strategy;

·         A study schedule including the identification of decision and approval milestones; and

·         An approval process/flowchart (from the start of the Study to the finalization of detail design and commencement of construction).

 

3.2              Project Screening (Environmental Assessment)

 

The Project Screening process will comply with provincial EA requirements and will include:

·         Justification for a new pedestrian and cycling crossing of the O-Train corridor near Hickory Street;

·         Identification and evaluation of alternative crossing solutions and their impacts on the environment;

·         Identification of a preferred crossing solution;

·         Development of design and aesthetic criteria for the crossing (see below);

·         Development of design options based on the design and aesthetic criteria;

·         The recommended functional design;

·         Identification of approval requirements; and

·         A cost estimate and preliminary schedule for the project.

 

The design and aesthetic criteria component of the Study will include, but not be limited to, the following tasks:

·         Identify the user groups who will use this facility, and their specific design requirements;

·         Develop the design parameters and criteria for the crossing of the rail corridor, including current (O-Train) and future proposed (e.g. LRT) requirements;

·         Determine the appropriate dimensions for the crossing elements;

·         Define the location and alignment parameters for the proposed crossing, including integration with the existing pedestrian and cycling network;

·         Develop, in general terms, the criteria and appearance of the crossing materials, including the treatment of the landing areas;

·         Identify all of the conditions and restrictions associated with the construction and operation of the proposed bridge across the rail corridor; and

·         Identify all jurisdictional, operational, and maintenance associated responsibilities for the proposed pedestrian/cycling connection.

 

A Project File will be prepared to document the study process including the screening process and consultation.

4.         CONSULTATION

 

A minimum of two consultations with the general public will be conducted, and the City will maintain a project website.  The project design will be subject to review by the City of Ottawa Urban Design Review Panel.

Notification of Study Commencement, public consultation events and Notice of Study Completion will be advertised in the daily newspapers, and community papers where appropriate. Consultation summary reports will also be completed following each public consultation event.

5.         DELIVERABLES

 

The deliverables of this Study include:

·         Study Design report;

·         The EA Project File;

·         Public Consultation Summary Reports;

·         Functional design drawings of the preferred crossing (including plans, profiles, structural general arrangement drawings, utility relocation details, landscape and lighting design plans, and property requirement plans); and

·         Any special considerations required for construction of this project over an active rail line.