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Public Involvement Centre #2 - Display Boards

Ottawa Queensway

Preliminary Design and Environmental Assessment Study

  1. Welcome
  2. Study Area
  3. Study Need and Justification
  4. Transit Usage Required to Eliminate Need to Widen Queensway
  5. Study Purpose and Opportunities
  6. Eastern Ontario Strategic Transportation Directions
  7. Problems and Constraints
  8. Purpose of the PIC #2
  9. Environmental Assessment Process
  10. Study Team Organization
  11. Study Milestones
  12. Traffic Analysis Updated Results
  13. "Alternatives to" the Undertaking
  14. Summary of Assessment and Evaluation of "alternatives to" the Undertaking
  15. Evaluation Methodology
  16. Evaluation Criteria
  17. Alternative Plans and Evaluation Results:
    1. Technically Preferred alternative (TPA)
    2. alternatives Considered / Evaluation Results
  18. Summary of Technically Preferred alternatives (TPA)
  19. Noise Assessment Results for TPA
  20. Air Quality Assessment Results for TPA
  21. Advanced Traffic Management Systems (ATMS)
  22. Resource Table
  23. Next Steps
  24. How to Get Involved

1. Welcome

Public Involvement Centre No. 2

Welcome to the second round of Public Involvement Centres (PICs) for the study of Highway 417 (the Queensway) from Highway 416 easterly to Anderson Road. Please review the presentation material and the background reports at the Resource Table.

Staff from the Ministry of transportation and the consultant, Totten Sims Hubicki Associates (TSH), are available today to answer any questions you may have regarding the display material, or any other aspect of the study, and to listen to your ideas and concerns about this study.

We encourage you to provide your comments in writing. All information/comments received will be maintained on file for use during the study and may be included in study documentation. With the exception of personal information, all comments will become part of the public record.

Comment sheets are available. Please deposit completed comment sheets in the box provided or mail/fax/e-mail your comments to the address shown on the bottom of the comment sheet.

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2. Study Area

Highway 417 (Ottawa Queensway)
Preliminary Design Study and Environmental Assessment
from Highway 416 easterly to Anderson Road
MTO G.W.P. 663-93-00

Map of Highway 417

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3. Study Need and Justification

  • Highway 417 currently experiences congestion and associated delays during the a.m. and p.m. peak travel periods.
  • traffic volumes on Highway 417 within the study area are high and are increasing annually.
  • Continuing expansion of communities to the west, south and east sides of Ottawa, based on the 2003 Official Plan of the City of Ottawa, will result in additional traffic demands on the overall transportation network including the Queensway corridor.
  • Congestion and associated delays adversely affect safety.
  • In order to sustain economic growth and provide for the efficient movement of people and goods on the Queensway, there is a need to assess reasonable alternatives to improve traffic operations and safety.
  • Portions of the existing highway infrastructure (e.g. pavement, bridges, lighting) are reaching their expected service life and must be assessed for improvement.
  • Design standards have changed over the lifetime of Highway 417, thus upgrades to the highway will be assessed in some areas to improve the safety and operation of the highway.

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4. Transit Usage Required to Eliminate Need to Widen Queensway

Highway 416 Screenline

Total Person trips 2001

the existing number of person-trips is 9,730, of which 1,557 (16%) occur on transit. the remaining 8,173 trips (84%) are by other modes, principally auto.

Total Person trips 2021

the forecast number of person-trips in 2021 is 18,310. the current target for person-trips by transit is 4,578 (25%). An additional 2,380 person-trips (13%) over and above the target would have to occur on transit to remove the need to widen the Queensway. the resulting transit share required would be 25% + 13% = 38%.



Woodroffe Avenue Screenline

Total Person trips 2001

the existing number of person-trips is 14,010, of which 2,522 (18%) occur on transit. the remaining 11,488 trips (82%) are by other modes, principally auto.

Total Person trips 2021

the forecast number of person-trips in 2021 is 21,350. the current target for person-trips by transit is 5,338 (25%). An additional 3,630 person-trips (17%) over and above the target would have to occur on transit to remove the need to widen the Queensway. the resulting transit share would be 25% + 17% = 42%.



Rochester Street Screenline

Total Person trips 2001

the existing number of person-trips is 15,770, of which 5,520 (35%) occur on transit. the remaining 10,251 (65%) are by other modes, principally auto.

Total Person trips 2021

the forecast number of person-trips in 2021 is 26,400. the current target for person trips by transit is 7,920 (30%). An additional 4,752 person-trips (18%) over and above the target would have to occur on transit to remove the need to widen the Queensway. the resulting transit share required would be 30% + 18% = 48%.



Rideau River Screenline

Total Person trips 2001

the existing number of person-trips is 12,310, of which 4,309 (35%) occur on transit. the remaining 8,002 trips (65%) are by other modes, principally auto.

Total Person trips 2021

the forecast number of person-trips in 2021 is 20,130. the current target for person trips by transit is 8,052 (40%). An additional 3,825 person-trips (19%) over and above the target would have to occur on transit to remove the need to widen the Queensway. the resulting transit share required would be 40% + 19% = 59%.

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5. Study Purpose and Opportunities

Purpose: To identify short-term and longer term measures to:

  • Improve the mobility of people and goods;
  • Reduce congestion and associated delay;
  • Enhance safety; and
  • Improve existing infrastructure (i.e. pavement, bridges, lighting, etc.).

Opportunities: In addition to addressing the identified transportation problems, there are opportunities for improvement to the transportation system in Ottawa to:

  • Support Ottawa's Transportation Master Plan (TMP), June 2003;
  • Support planned development and the City's Official Plan (OP), May 2003;
  • Support economic development; and
  • Provide support for an integrated mobility solution that covers the hierarchy of travel modes including walking, cycling, transit, roads and freeways.

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6. Eastern Ontario Strategic Transportation Directions

  • Envisages an integrated transportation system that is safe, efficient, environmentally sensitive and accessible.
  • Primary goal is to develop a fiscally and environmentally sustainable transportation system that will foster economic development while addressing the needs of the transportation users, industry and the public.

Conclusions of Strategic Transportation Directions Study

  • Improved transportation infrastructure will be required tocaccommodate growth and support economic development.
  • Need to focus on preservation and maintenance of provincial highway system with selective expansion in strategic corridors.
  • Innovative technologies like Intelligent transportation Systems (ITS) provide opportunities to improve efficiency and safety.
  • Road and rail facilities could be better integrated to support the increasing inter-modal, international movement of goods.
  • Greater emphasis could be placed on managing demand using the existing infrastructure through travel Demand Management (tdM), modal shifts from auto to public transit and truck to rail, and land use/transportation system integration.
  • Projected travel demands for provincial highway system, commuter travel and the movement of goods indicate that almost all of the urban section of the Queensway is expected to experience congestion by 2026.
  • A copy of the document is available for review on the Reference Table.

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7. Problems and Constraints

The following problems and constraints have been identified to date:

  • Existing traffic operational problems on Highway 417 generally are associated with a.m. and p.m. peak period commuter demands;
  • Increasing congestion and associated delays on Highway 417 and at ramp terminal intersections;
  • Safety;
  • Condition of existing infrastructure, particularly bridges;
  • Sensitivity of local residents, municipalities and agencies related to expansion of highway facilities (and desire to promote use of public transit);
  • Existing and planned transitway infrastructure constraint to expansion;
  • Lands adjacent to Highway 417 fully developed throughout the majority of the corridor;
  • Environmental sensitivities of the various water crossings and the impacts and proposed mitigation associated with widening of Highway 417;
  • Noise; and
  • Air quality.

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8. Purpose of the PIC #2

The purpose of this PIC is to:

  • Briefly recap the information from the first series of PICs including:
    • Study Area;
    • Need and Justification - Transportation problems and opportunities;
    • Issues and Constraints;
    • Assessment and Evaluation of "alternatives to" the Undertaking;
    • Selection of the preferred "alternative to" the Undertaking;
  • Present an updated analysis of existing conditions shown at the last series of PICs, including:
    • Updated traffic analysis;
    • Environmental inventories; and
    • Corridor analysis;
  • Present the evaluation methodology and the factors/criteria used for comparing the alternatives;
  • Present the plans of mainline and interchange alternatives and identify the Technically Preferred alternative (TPA) at each location resulting from the evaluation;
  • Present the Technically Preferred alternative(s); and
  • Obtain public input.

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9. Environmental Assessment Process

  • the study is following an approved planning process, according to the requirements of the "class Environmental Assessment for Provincial Transportation Facilities, 2000" for a Group 'B' project.
  • Opportunities for public input are being provided throughout the process. A total of 3 rounds of Public Involvement Centres (PICs) will be held. Public notices with contact names and phone numbers will be published in the local newspapers and notices will be delivered to the project mailing list and posted at strategic locations along the corridor.
  • Upon completion of the study, a Transportation Environmental Study Report (TESR) will be prepared and filed for a 30-day public review period. A notice will be published in local newspapers indicating the submission of the TESR and will identify location(s) where the document can be viewed.
  • At any time during the study, up to the end of the public review period, anyone may request that the Minister of the Environment "bump up" (or make a Part II Order for) this project if they feel that environmental concerns remain unresolved. the Minister may require that an individual environmental assessment be conducted for this study. the decision rests with the Minister of the Environment.
  • the study is scheduled for completion in the winter of 2005.
  • You are encouraged to contact the consultant, TSH, or MTO Project Team if you have any questions or concerns about this study.

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10. Study Team Organization

Project Management Team:
David Lindensmith, Senior Project Engineer, MTO
Phil Pawliuk, Area Engineer, Planning and Design, MTO
Dave McAvoy, Environmental Planner, Environmental Unit, MTO
Brian Ruck, Project Manager, Study Consultant, TSH

  • Municipal Technical Advisory Committee (MTAC)
    • City of Ottawa
    • OC Transpo
    • Emergency and Protective Services
    • National Capital Commision
    • Ontario Provincial Police

  • Technical Advisory Committee (TAC)
    • MTO Representatives
    • TSH Representatives

  • Public Advisory Committee (PAC)
    • Action Sandy Hill
    • alt a Vista Community Association
    • Carlington Community Association
    • Centretown Citizens Community Association
    • Citizens for Healthy Communities
    • City Centre Coalition
    • Civic Hospital Neighbourhood Association
    • Dalhousie Community Association
    • Dow's Lake Residents Association
    • Glabar Park Community Alliance
    • Hintonburg Community Association
    • Island Park Community Association
    • Katimavik-Hazeldean Community Association
    • Kriska Holdings Ltd.
    • McNabb Community Improvement Bunch
    • Ontario trucking Association
    • Ottawa Cycling Advisory Committee
    • Ottawa East Community Association
    • Qualicum/Graham Park Community Group
    • Roseberry Avenue Residents Committee Inc.
    • Tibbs Transport Inc.
    • Transport 2000
    • Transportation Advisory Committee
    • West Wellington Community Association

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11. Study Milestones

Milestones Completion
Project Initiation Fall 2002
Alternative Development Phase Fall 2002
Public Information Centre #1 Winter 2003
Continuation of Alternative Development Phase / Selection of Technically Preferred Alternative Spring 2004
Public Information Centre #2 Spring 2004
Preliminary Design of Recommended Alternative Fall 2004
Public Information Centre #3 Fall 2004
Completion of Preliminary Design Winter 2005
Transportation Environmental Study Report (TESR) Submitted for 30-day Public Review Winter 2005
Environmental Clearance Spring 2006
Project Completion Spring 2006

Gantt Chart (PDF - 213 KB)

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12. Traffic Analysis Updated Results

The traffic Report was updated from what was presented at the first round of Public Involvement Centres in January 2003 in order to capture changes in transportation modelling and assumptions that are contained in the City of Ottawa's June 2003 transportation Master Plan (TMP). As such, the Final traffic Report reflects the same approach taken in the TMP.

The following conclusions can be drawn from the Final traffic Report and TMP:

  • A capacity deficiency (equivalent to 1 lane per direction) will exist on Hwy 417 from Hwy 416 to Innes Road by 2021;
  • Adding capacity to Hwy 417 attracts trips from City streets
  • Minor benefit to Hwy 417 from Outer Transportation Corridor (Ring Road) and/or new Interprovincial bridges;
  • Overall network benefits more significant than Hwy 417 benefits;
  • the implementation of all transportation upgrades contained in the 2003 TMP, including realization of the 30% overall transit mode share target, does not eliminate he need to consider improvements to the Queensway;
  • the 2003 TMP identifies the need for a new undefined East-West facility if no capacity enhancements to the Queensway are undertaken between Highway 416 and OR 174 (the Split). the addition of capacity to the Queensway will defer this need.

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13. "Alternatives to" the Undertaking

The following "alternatives to" the Undertaking were considered as reasonable alternatives that could reasonably address the identified problems and short term to longer term transportation service needs for Highway 417 within the project limits:

  • Do Nothing
  • Alternative Mode — Transit
  • Transportation Demand Management Measures
  • Improve Existing Highway — Major Widening and Interchange Improvements
  • Improve Existing Highway — Strategic Widening and Interchange Improvements
  • Improve Existing Highway — Major Widening to Add High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) Lane
  • Improve Existing Highway — Strategic Widening to Add High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) Lane.

The assessment and evaluation results, including the recommended "alternatives to" the Undertaking, are presented in the following section.

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14. Summary of Assessment and Evaluation of "alternatives to the Undertaking"

This PIC Display board illustrated the alternatives in a large chart:

See Table: PIC #1 - Evaluation of "alternatives to" the Undertaking

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15. Evaluation Methodology

Two evaluation methods are proposed to evaluate the "alternative Methods" to the Undertaking, as described below:

  • the Weighted Additive, Multi-Attribute Trade-off Method is an analytical approach that measures scores based on mathematical relationships. the weighted evaluation method included the following steps:
    1. Establishment of utility functions for each sub-factor;
    2. collection of data/environmental inventories to provide input to the scoring or alternatives with respect to the sub-factors;
    3. Review of the factor list to identify those sub-factors that are applicable to each independent set of alternatives being examined;
    4. Scoring of the applicable sub-factors;
    5. Weighting of factors and sub-factors;
    6. Rating of alternatives;
    7. Sensitivity testing by selecting other weighting scenarios;
    8. Selection of Technically Preferred alternative (TPA) for each set of alternatives.

  • the qualitative method used is called the reasoned argument (or tradeoff) method. It highlights the differences in net impacts associated with the various alternatives and was used where the results from the quantitative method were similar for two or more alternatives.

A more detailed description of the Evaluation Methodology used for this project is provided in the Preliminary alternatives Report, Volume 1 (provided on the Reference Table).

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16. Evaluation Criteria

View Table: Evaluation Criteria

17. Alternative Plans and Evaluation Results

Technically Preferred alternative (TPA), alternatives Considered and Evaluation Results

The displays show the alternatives that were considered at each location and identify:

  • Identified Problems;
  • Evaluation Results;
  • Rationale for Technically Preferred alternative (TPA);
  • How the TPA addresses the identified problem(s); and
  • Potential Mitigation Measures.

Note: At the PIC venues, the Technically Preferred alternative Plans were presented as a series of overlays on aerial photographs. However, the extremely large file size of digital versions of these images precludes posting them on this website. the online versions of the Technically Preferred alternative Plans have been plotted on existing plans:

View: Technically Preferred alternative (TPA), alternatives Considered and Evaluation Results

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18. Summary of Technically Preferred alternatives (TPA)

  • Widen to 4 basic lanes per direction from Highway 416 to Carling Avenue;
  • Retain existing 4 basic lanes per direction from Carling Avenue to Kent Street;
  • Retain existing 3 basic lanes per direction from Kent Street to Metcalfe Street;
  • Widen to 4 basic lanes per direction from Metcalfe Street to Ottawa Road 174;
  • Widen Highway 417 to 6 basic lanes from Ottawa Road 174 to east project limit.

Minor modifications are needed at most interchanges to fit to the strategic mainline widening. Significant interchange modifications are being recommended as part of the Technically Preferred alternative at the following locations:

  • Richmond Road Interchange;
  • Woodroffe Avenue;
  • Island Park Drive Interchange;
  • Parkdale Avenue Interchange;
  • Lyon Street Interchange;
  • St. Laurent Boulevard Interchange.

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19. Noise Assessment Results for TPA

Sound Levels of Some Familiar Sounds
Adapted from "Noise Hazard and Control", Health and Welfare Canada Report 79-END-29 March 1979

Sound Level in Decibels (dBA) Average Human Perception Typical Source
(measured at Operator/Listener Distance from source)
140 Average Human Ear Pain Threshold Shotgun blast, jet plane at takeoff, exploding firecrackers
130 - 110 Uncomfortably Loud Rock music (amplified), hockey game crowd, severe thunder, pneumatic jackhammer
100 - 90 Extremely Loud Power lawn mower, farm tractor, motorcycle, snowmobile
80 - 70 Moderately Loud Window air-conditioning, crowded restaurant, diesel-powered truck/tractor
75 - 55 Study Area Sound Levels
60 - 50 Quiet Singing birds, normal conversation
40-30 Very Quiet Rustle of leaves, dripping faucet, light rainfall
10 Just Audible Whisper

Future 2021 Sound Contours

Exhibits:

  1. Exhibit 1 (PDF - 1.13 MB)
  2. Exhibit 2 (PDF - 1.28 MB)
  3. Exhibit 3 (PDF - 1.06 MB)
  4. Exhibit 4 (PDF - 740 KB)

Sound Level Changes and Mitigation for TPA

See: Noise Analysis Table

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20. Air Quality Assessment Results for TPA

Air Quality:

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21. Advanced Traffic Management Systems (ATMS)

  • ATMS solutions will be considered throughout the corridor both as stand alone improvement options and in combination with other highway improvement alternatives.
  • Advanced traffic management systems include:
    • traffic cameras for incident management;
    • Changeable message signs (permanent and porTable types);
    • Queue end warning devices;
    • Ramp metering;
    • collision detection and response; and
    • Other new technologies as they develop.
  • the ATMS component of this study includes the Queensway west to Highway 7.

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22. Resource Table

The following documents were available at the PIC #2 Resource Table:

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23. Next Steps

In response to public and agency input, the Project Team will:

  • Review input from the public and agencies regarding the evaluation of alternatives and the selection of the Technically Preferred alternative
  • Refine the Technically Preferred alternative and generate a Recommended Plan
  • Develop mitigation measures
  • Prepare the preliminary design for the Recommended Plan
  • Meet with MTAC, PAC and the Transportation Committee
  • Hold a third and final round of Public Involvement Centres to present the Recommended Plan
  • Refine or confirm the Recommended Plan
  • Prepare and file TESR with the Ministry of the Environment for a 30-day public review period
  • Complete the project.

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24. How to Get Involved

You can remain involved in this study by:

  • Requesting that your name be added to our study mailing list;
  • Providing a written comment sheet following this Public Involvement Centre;
  • Contacting the consultant or MTO staff at any time during the study to discuss the project.

Please note that this website is being developed for the study and includes the following sections:

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