Report to/Rapport au:

Transportation and Transit Committee/

Comite des transports et des services de transport en commun

and Council/et au Conseil

14 February 2002/le 14 février 2002

Submitted by/Soumis par: Rosemarie R.T. Leclair, General Manager/Directrice généraleTransportation, Utilities and Public Works/Transport, services et travaux publics

Contact/Personne ressource: Richard Hewitt, Director of Infrastructure Services/Directeur des services et travaux publics

580-2424 ext. 21268, Richard.Hewitt@city.ottawa.on.ca

Ref N°: ACS2002-TUP-INF-0006

SUBJECT:	The Realignment of nixon drive for Approximately 300 metres at the abandoned cpr crossing located 1.5 km south of main street in The Former Township of osgoode
OBJET:	MODIFICATION DU TRACÉ DE LA PROMENADE NIXON SUR UNE DISTANCE D’ENVIRON 300 MÈTRES À LA HAUTEUR DE LA TRAVERSÉE ABANDONNÉE DU CP, SITUÉE À 1,5 KM AU SUD DE LA RUE MAIN, DANS L’ANCIEN CANTON D’OSGOODE.

REPORT RECOMMENDATIONS

That the Transportation and Transit Committee recommend Council approve:

1. the realignment of Nixon Drive for approximately 300 metres at the abandoned CPR Crossing as shown in Annex 3 (Drawing SM-3416-3);

2. that staff proceed with negotiations to acquire the property necessary to accommodate the proposed roadway realignment as shown in Annex 4 (Drawing SM-3416-4).

RECOMMANDATIONS DU RAPPORT

Que le Comité des transports et des services de transport en commun recommande au Conseil municipal d’approuver :

1. la modification du tracé de la promenade Nixon sur une distance d’environ 300 mètres

à la hauteur de la traversée abandonnée du CP, tel qu’il est indiqué dans l’annexe 3

(Plan SM‑3416‑3);

1. la modification du tracé de la promenade Nixon sur une distance d’environ 300 mètres à la hauteur de la traversée abandonnée du CP, tel qu’il est indiqué dans l’annexe 3 (Plan SM‑3416‑3);

2. 2. que le personnel entreprenne des négociations en vue de l’acquisition de la propriété

nécessaire à la modification du tracé proposée, tel qu’il est indiqué dans l’annexe 4

Plan SM-3416-4).

BACKGROUND

The general location of the proposed roadway realignment is as shown in Annex 1.

The current alignment of the road at the former CPR crossing consists of two back-to-back curves. This alignment is considered to be sub-standard. In the summer of 2001, the City of Ottawa engaged a consultant for the engineering design of the road realignment project. The final design was completed in the fall and presented at a Public Open House, which was held on 06 November 2001, at the Osgoode Community Centre.

In advance of the meeting, a request was made by a resident, to have a multi-way stop control installed, at the intersection of Nelson Street and Nixon Drive, which is located just north of the proposed realignment. This request was made in anticipation of the realignment project proceeding. The information was forwarded to the Traffic and Parking Operations Branch for their review and recommendation.

ANALYSIS

Existing Conditions

The existing horizontal alignment consists of two reverse curves, with approximate radii of 60 and 50 metres respectively, from north to south. The radii are at an angle of roughly 45 degrees to the roadway. These curves are deemed to be sub-standard, for the design and operating speed of this roadway, which is a two lane rural cross-section, with gravel shoulders. The posted speed limit from Main Street, to Dalmeny Road is 50 kilometres per hour (kph), with the exception of the reduced advisory speeds, in the vicinity of the two curves.

Motorists approaching the curves from both directions are warned to reduce their speed by advisory speed tabs, in addition to curve and chevron signs. The advisory speed tabs indicate the requirement for a reduced speed of 40 kph through the curves for southbound vehicles and 40 kph from 150 metres in advance of the curves for northbound vehicles. The signage then indicates a further reduction in speed to 30 kph through the curves for northbound vehicles. The existing geometry is shown in Annex 2.

Pedestrians

There are no sidewalks along either side of the road. An eight-hour pedestrian/vehicle survey was conducted previously. Throughout the duration of this survey there was no pedestrian traffic identified south of Main Street on Nixon Drive.

Cyclists

There are currently no special provisions for bicycles on this roadway. Bicycles must share the road with vehicles. During the above-noted survey one cyclist was observed on Nixon Drive.

Transit

There is no transit service in this area.

Automobiles

The traffic count also indicated that 568 vehicles used Nixon Dive during the eight-hour survey timeframe. Between 01 January 1998 and 01 January 2002, one accident was reported within the section of roadway where the curves are located.

DISCUSSION

Design Proposal

The design that was selected provides the most appropriate solution, andwhile deliversing an improved level of service, in a cost-effective manner. In essence, the proposed design allows for the roadway to be realigned, in order to eliminate the existing curvature. The proposed straightened section of roadway would will by-pass the two existing sub-standard curves, as shown in Annex 3.

To accommodate the realigned section of roadway, property on both sides of Nixon Drive must be purchased. The property acquisition requirements are shown in Annex 4.

Design Features

Removal of the back-to-back curves along this section of roadway will provide significant improvements in sight distances and roadway safety.

CONSULTATION

The proposed roadway realignment modifications fall under Schedule “A” of the Class Environmental Assessment for Municipal Road Projects.

As required by the “ Municipal Act of Ontario”, a notice of the proposed roadway modifications has been placed in Le Droit and the Ottawa Citizen newspapers, for four consecutive weeks, starting on 22 February 2002.

This report has been circulated to the area Ward Councillor for comments.

In addition, notice of the Open House, which was held on 06 November 2001 at the Osgoode Community Centre, was mailed to local residents. Display boards that showed the proposed realignment details, were on hand for the public to view and comment on.

Many residents submitted written comments, which were compiled and sent to the local Councillor, as well as to the Traffic and Parking Operations Branch. Many of the residents were concerned that the proposed removal of the curves in the roadway would be an unnecessary measure and would lead to higher vehicle speeds along Nixon Drive in this area.

A suggestion was made, by several local residents in attendance, that the installation of a multi-way stop control at Nixon Drive and Nelson Street would help to reduce the anticipated higher speeds that would be expected from the roadway realignment.

The City has recently completed a traffic survey at the intersection and found that the warrants were not met for the installation of a multi-way stop control. The warrant criteria for the installation of all-way stop controls, is based on guidelines recommended in the Ontario Traffic Manual.

In summary, based on current vehicle and pedestrian volumes, collision experience and visibility conditions, the installation of an all-way stop control is not being recommended at this intersection.

FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS

The total estimated cost for the construction of the realignment, including engineering, construction supervision and property acquisition, is $200,000 (this includes G.S.T.). The 2001 Capital Budget approved $100,000 in funding for this project. Additional funds in the amount of $100,000 has been will be requested in the 2002 Capital Budget.

DISPOSITION

Subject to approval of the recommendations contained in this report by Council, and barring any significant delays in acquiring property, construction willcould begin in the summer of 2002 and be completed by the fall.

ATTACHMENTS

Annex 1 - Key Plan

Annex 2 - Existing Geometry

Annex 3 - Proposed Geometry

Annex 4 - Required Property

ANNEX 1

ANNEX 2

ANNEX 3

ANNEX 4