Public Involvement Centre #3 - Display Boards
Ottawa Queensway
Preliminary Design and Environmental Assessment Study
- Welcome
- Study Area
- Background
- Summary of PIC #1
- Summary of PIC #2
- Purpose of Public Involvement Centre #3
- Environmental Assessment Process
- Study Team Organization
- Study Milestones
- Summary of "Alternatives to" the Undertaking
- Summary of Technically Preferred Alternative
- Potential Effects and Mitigation Measures
- Summary of Modifications to Technically Preferred Alternative (TPA) in the Recommended Plan
- Recommended Plans
- Noise Assessment Results for the Recommended Plan
- Noise Barrier Retrofit
- Air Quality Assessment Results for the Recommended Plan
- Advanced Traffic Management Systems (ATMS)
- Rehabilitation of Infrastructure
- Contract Staging and Implementation
- Landscaping
- Next Steps
- How to Get Involved
- Resource Table
1. Welcome
To Public Involvement Centre No. 3
Welcome to the third round of Public Involvement Centres (PICs) for the study of modifications to Highway 417 (the Queensway) from Highway 416 easterly to Anderson Road. Please feel free to 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.
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
3. Background
The purpose of this study is to identify measures to improve the mobility of people and goods, reduce congestion and delay, enhance safety and improve existing infrastructure.
Proposed modifications will support the City of Ottawa Official Plan policies, the Transportation Master Plan and economic development.
Problems and constraints identified to date include:
- Congestion and associated delays during the a.m. and p.m. peaks on Highway 417;
- Projected population/employment growth will result in additional traffic demands in the Queensway corridor even with the achievement of the transit usage targets established by the City;
- Congestion and associated delays adversely affect safety;
- Economic growth in Ottawa needs efficient movement of people and goods on the Queensway and therefore improved traffic operations and safety;
- Portions of the existing highway infrastructure (e.g. pavement, bridges, lighting) must be rehabilitated/reconstructed/replaced;
- Significant existing development adjacent to Highway 417 and existing and planned transitway infrastructure constrain the area available for modifications along the corridor;
- Environmental sensitivities, including water crossings, noise and air quality issues, influence improvements.
4. Summary of PIC #1
The first round of PICs was held on January 21, 22, 23 and 30, 2003.
The purpose of the first PIC was to introduce the project and present:
- Assessment and evaluation of "Alternatives to" the Undertaking;
- Background information;
- Long-List and Short-Listed conceptual "Alternative Methods" for the Undertaking; and
- Evaluation criteria and methodology.
A total of five hundred twenty-six (526) people signed the register and three hundred twenty-two (322) comment sheets were received at the PICs. An additional one hundred ninety-four (194) comments were received in the two weeks following the PICs.
Summary of Comments:
- Public transit needs to be a priority.
- HOV lanes should be reviewed further.
- Opposed to the widening of the Queensway.
- Main areas of concern included property impacts, property loss, neighbourhood impacts, noise, air quality, and safety.
- Concern about loss of heritage buildings.
- Concern about demolition of houses and buildings.
- Concern about particular ramps and specific alternatives under consideration.
- Project-specific website requested.
A copy of the Summary Report was available for review at the Resource Table.
5. Summary of PIC #2
The second round of PICs was held on June 21, 22 and 23, 2004.
The purpose of the second PIC was to recap information from the first series of PICs and present:
-
Updated analysis of existing conditions including:
- Updated traffic analysis;
- Environmental inventories; and
- Corridor analysis.
- Evaluation methodology and factors/criteria used for comparing the alternatives;
- Plans of mainline and interchange alternatives; and
- Technically Preferred Alternative(s).
A total of three hundred sixty-six (366) people signed the register and one hundred forty-six (146) comment sheets were received at the PICs. An additional fifty-three (53) comments were received in the four weeks following the PICs.
Summary of Comments:
- Public transit needs to be a priority.
- Site-specific concerns, including particular ramps and specific modifications under consideration.
- Concerns about property impacts, property loss, neighbourhood impacts, noise, air quality, and safety.
- Concern about the loss of green space and mature trees.
- Support the widening of the Queensway.
- Support the Technically Preferred Alternative.
A copy of the Summary Report was available for review at the Resource Table.
6. Purpose of Public Involvement Centre #3
The purpose of this PIC is to:
- Present the modifications made to the Technically Preferred Alternative based on comments received at and following the second round of PICs and contained in the Recommended Plan;
- Present the Recommended Plan;
- Present Mitigation Measures;
- Present the Advanced Traffic Management Systems (ATMS); and
- Obtain public input.
7. 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. This is the third of 3 rounds of Public Involvement Centres (PICs). In advance of each series of PICs, public notices with contact names and phone numbers have been published in local newspapers and notices have been 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 with the Regional Office of the Ministry of the Environment, and other public offices, for a 30-day public review period. A notice announcing the submission of the TESR will be published in local newspapers and delivered to the project mailing list. The notice will identify locations where the document can be viewed.
During the 30-day 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 fall/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.
8. Study Team Organization
Project Management Team
Dave Lindensmith, Senior Project Engineer, MTO
Phil Pawliuk, Area Engineer, Planning and Design, MTO
Dave McAvoy, Planner, Environmental Unit, MTO
Brian Ruck, Project Manager, Study Consultant, TSH
-
Municipal Technical Advisory Committee (MTAC)
- City of Ottawa
- OC Transpo
- National Capital Commission
- Ontario Provincial Police
-
Emergency Services
-
Technical Advisory Committee (TAG)
- MTO Representatives
-
TSH Representatives
-
Public Advisory Committee (PAC)
- Action Sandy Hill
- Alta 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
- Graham Park Group
- Hampton-Iona Park Community Group
- Hintonburg Community Association
- Island Park Community Association
- Katimavik-Hazeldean Community Association
- Krista Transportation
- McNibb Community Improvement Branch
- Mobility Issues Advisory Committee
- Ontario Trucking Association
- Ottawa Cycling Advisory Committee
- Ottawa East Community Association
- Qualicum Community Group
- Roseberry Avenue Residents Committee Inc.
- Tibbs Transport Inc.
- Transport 2000
- West Wellington Community Association
9. Study Milestones
| Milestones | Completion |
|---|---|
| Project Initiation | Fall 2002 |
| Alternative Development Phase | Fall 2002 |
| Public Involvement Centre #1 | Winter 2003 |
| Continuation of Alternative Development Phase/Update of Traffic Report/Selection of Technically Preferred Alternative | Spring 2004 |
| Public Involvement Centre #2 | Spring 2004 |
| Preliminary Design of Recommended Alternative | Spring 2005 |
| Public Involvement Centre #3 | Summer 2005 |
| Completion of Preliminary Design | Fall 2005 |
| (TESR) Submitted for 30-day Public Review | Fall 2005 |
| Environmental Clearance | TBD |
| Project Completion | TBD |
Gantt Chart (PDF - 88 KB)
10. Summary of Alternatives to the Undertaking
The generation, assessment and evaluation of alternatives to the undertaking considered alternatives that could reasonably address the identified problems:
- Do Nothing was carried forward for comparison purposes
- Alternative Mode - Transit was carried forward as an integral component of all alternatives
- Transportation Demand Management Measures were carried forward as an integral component of all alternatives
- Improve Existing Highway - Major Widening and Interchange Improvements (general purpose lanes) was not carried forward due to the significant environmental impacts and high cost
- Improve Existing Highway - Strategic Widening and Interchange Improvements (general purpose lanes) was carried forward
- Improve Existing Highway - Major Widening and Interchange Improvements (high occupancy vehicle lanes) was not carried forward due to the significant environmental impacts and high cost
- Improve Existing Highway - Strategic Widening and Interchange Improvements (high occupancy vehicle lanes) was not carried forward due to safety and operational concerns
11. Summary of the Technically Preferred Alternative
- Widen to 4 basic lanes per direction from Highway 416 to Carling Ave.
- Retain existing 4 basic lanes per direction from Carling Ave. to Kent St.
- Retain existing 3 basic lanes per direction from Kent St. to Metcalfe St.
- Widen to 4 basic lanes per direction from Metcalfe St. to Ottawa Road 174
- Widen Highway 417 to 3 basic lanes per direction 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
- Bronson Avenue EB Interchange
- Lyon Street Interchange
- St. Laurent Boulevard Interchange
12. Potential Effects and Mitigation Measures
Environmental Issues
Landscaping:
-
Potential Effects
- Loss of vegetation to accommodate recommended design
-
Mitigation Measures
- Minimize vegetation removal; provide protection for those trees to remain
- Replace vegetation, where feasible (refer to landscape concept plan)
Construction Noise:
-
Potential Effects
- Noise from construction equipment and vehicles during construction
-
Mitigation Measures
- Maintain equipment in an operating condition that prevents unnecessary noise, including but not limited to non-defective muffler systems, properly secured components, and the lubrication of moving parts
- Restrict idling of equipment to the minimum necessary to perform the specified work
Community / Recreation Commercial / Industrial:
-
Potential Effects
- Traffic delays/access restrictions during construction
-
Mitigation Measures
- Design temporary detou/access restrictions to accommodate access requirements
- Provide adequate signage to direct traffic, where necessary
- Prepare Traffic Management Plan during Detail Design
Archaeology:
-
Potential Effects
- Potential damage to or loss of archaeological artifacts
-
Mitigation Measures
- Undertake Stage 2 archaeological assessment during Detail Design where construction is proposed beyond the existing grading limits
- If deeply buried archaeological remains encountered during construction, notify the Ministry of Culture immediately
Aesthetics:
-
Potential Effects
- Effect on visual landscape and scenic resources available to motorists
- Effect on adjacent dwellers sensitive to views of facility
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Mitigation Measures
- Enhance aesthetic design of bridges and retaining walls, where appropriate, to minimize visual intrusion
- Provide visual screening and aesthetic enhancement through landscape design (refer to landscape concept plan)
- Develop final landscape plan during detail design and present to the public at that time
Traffic Operations:
-
Potential Effects
- Delays to traffic due to construction
-
Mitigation Measures
- Implement elements of an Advanced Traffic Management System including changeable message signs and incident detection
- Preclude lane restrictions during peak travel times during construction
- Prepare Traffic Management Plan during Detail Design
- Maintain existing number of lanes on Queensway at most times except for minor reductions during off-peak travel times
Accommodation of Pedestrians and Cyclists:
-
Potential Effects
- Restricted pedestrian and cyclist passage under the Queensway
-
Mitigation Measures
- Remove free flow channelizations at ramp terminals wherever possible
- Do not close adjacent crossings at the same time during construction
- Provide alternative route and advance warning during temporary closure of passage
Emergency Service:
-
Potential Effects
- Impact on emergency service routes/access
-
Mitigation Measures
- Prepare Traffic Management Plan during Detail Design
- Ensure ongoing communication with emergency services during construction
Drainage:
-
Potential Effects
- Increased runoff resulting from increased pavement platform
-
Mitigation Measures
- Reduce runoff to pre-construction rates by using underground detention
13. Summary of Modifications to Technically Preferred Alternative (TPA) in the Recommended Plan
- Added transit queue-jump lane on Richmond Road at the Richmond/Holly Acres intersection
- Bus movements at Queensway Station retained
- Channelized right turn removed at Woodroffe Avenue ramp terminals for eastbound Queensway traffic
- Left turn prohibited on southbound Bronson to the new Chamberlain Street link. This movement is now accommodated via the existing turn onto Imperial Avenue and then to Chamberlain
- Lyon Street ramp will be open during the p.m. peak period when freeway traffic speeds are generally slower
- Maintain S-E Ramp at St. Laurent interchange for OC Transpo and emergency vehicle use only
14. Recommended Plans
- Highway 416 to West of Greenbank Road / Pinecrest Road (PDF - 353 KB)
- West of Greenbank Road / Pinecrest Road to West of Woodroffe Avenue (PDF - 270 KB)
- West of Woodroffe Avenue to East of Maitland Avenue (PDF - 379 KB)
- East of Maitland Avenue to Island Park Drive (PDF - 295 KB)
- Island Park Drive to West of Rochester Street (PDF - 444 KB)
- West of Rochester Street to East of Metcalfe Street (PDF - 361 KB)
- East of Metcalfe Street to Vanier Parkway (PDF - 418 KB)
- Vanier Parkway to St. Laurent Boulevard (PDF - 363 KB)
- St. Laurent Boulevard to Ottawa Road 174 (PDF - 195 KB)
- Ottawa Road 174 to North of Innes Road (PDF - 287 KB)
- North of Innes Road to South of Walkley Road (PDF - 266 KB)
- South of Walkley Road to North of Anderson Road (PDF - 199 KB)
15. Noise Assessment Results for the Recommend Plan
Future 2021 Noise Contour Plans
- Exhibit 1 (PDF - 1.17 MB)
- Exhibit 2 (PDF - 1.36 MB)
- Exhibit 3 (PDF - 1.09 MB)
- Exhibit 4 (PDF - 701 KB)
16. Noise Barrier Retrofit
Noise Barrier Retrofit Plan (PDF - 1.24 MB)
Eligibility and Selection Warrants
For a site to be placed on the Candidate Sites for Noise Barrier Retrofit List (Retrofit List), it must meet all of the following site qualification warrants:
- The noise sensitive area must be next to a provincial freeway (example, Highway 417); and
- the noise sensitive area must be ground-level outdoor leisure areas of residential properties for which development was approved under the Planning Act before February 8, 1977; and
- the average daily noise levels must be more than 60 decibels; and
- barrier implementation must be on MTO right-of-way and must be sufficiently effective to provide a noise level reduction for ground level residential outdoor leisure areas of at least five decibels (a change in noise level that is less than three decibels cannot be perceived).
Construction Warrants and Standards
The priority for constructing a site placed on the Retrofit List is determined by a combination of the following:
- A high cost-benefit ratio relative to the number of homes that will benefit from the barrier (a site with a larger number of homes that will benefit from a shorter length of noise barrier will have a higher construction priority);
- the average cost per home that receives a three decibel or greater reduction should be reasonable (MTO usually spends less than $35,000 per home);
- a high cost-benefit ratio relative to the degree of noise reduction being provided (i.e., a site with a higher degree of noise reduction will have a higher construction priority);
- a high noise level (i.e., a site with a higher freeway noise level will have a higher construction priority);
- a low potential for the land use to be changed to a non-residential land use (i.e., a site with a lower potential for change to non-residential use will have a higher construction priority); and
- a low level of conflict relative to the highway construction program (i.e., a site that will remain undisturbed and effective for a longer period of time will have a higher construction priority).
17. Air Quality Assessment Results for the Recommended Plan
See PIC 2: Air Quality Assessment Results for Technically Preferred Alternative (TPA)
18. Advanced Traffic Management Systems (ATMS)
The ATMS consists of a network of in-pavement detectors, fibre-optic cables, cameras and changeable message signs (CMS's) managed by a Control Centre. The existing ATMS on Highway 417 will be expanded as part of the recommended plan to provide:
- Network management
- Incident management (queue-end warning, lane blockage)
- Congestion management (queue-end warning, travel time)
- Work zone management (advance notification, queue-ends, lane closures)
- Amber alerts/emergency management
Changeable message signs, the most visible component of the ATMS, will be located on:
-
Highway 417 eastbound
- at Moodie Drive (overhead)
- west of Woodroffe Avenue (overhead)
- west of Nicholas Street (roadside)
- west of Belfast Road (overhead)
-
Highway 417 westbound
- south of Innes Road (overhead)
- at Belfast Road (roadside)
- west of Rochester Street / east of Parkdale Avenue (overhead)
CMS's are also proposed on Highway 416 northbound at West Hunt Club Road (roadside) and on O.R. 174 westbound at Blair Road (overhead).
19. Rehabilitation of Infrastructure
Where possible rehabilitation/reconstruction will be undertaken in conjunction with the proposed improvements shown in the Recommended Plan.
Outside of the areas of proposed improvements (Recommended Plan), the corridor infrastructure components will require rehabilitation/reconstruction during the planning period including:
- Bridges (approximately 79)
- Pavement
- Noise walls
- Illumination
- Drainage (storm sewer systems and culverts)
- Road side and median barriers.
Rehabilitation of infrastructure components will be coordinated to minimize traffic impacts.
Rehabilitation/reconstruction will require short and long term lane closures. For example, rehabilitation of downtown bridges (Bronson to Metcalfe) will require the long term closure of one lane per direction, up to and including one construction season (April to November). This will result in significant traffic impacts and delays.
20. Contract Staging and Implementation
- The Recommended Plan will be constructed in a series of contracts. The timing of these contracts will depend on provincial funding and priorities.
- The ministry's first priority is rehabilitation of the bridges from Maitland Avenue to Island Park Drive.
- The ministry will continue to coordinate with the City of Ottawa to minimize the impacts on the travelling public, e.g., to avoid lane reductions on adjacent or parallel roadways at the same time.
21. Landscaping
- Project limit to East of Richmond Road (PDF - 1.17 MB)
- East of Richmond Road to West of the Southwest Transitway (PDF - 843 KB)
- West of the Southwest Transitway to East of Maitland Avenue (PDF - 984 KB)
- East of Maitland Avenue to East of Carling Avenue (PDF - 807 KB)
- East of Carling Avenue to Bayswater Avenue (PDF - 912 KB)
- Bayswater Avenue to Bank Street (PDF - 865 KB)
- Bank Street to East of Nicholas Street (PDF - 971 KB)
- East of Nicholas Street to East of St. Laurent Boulevard (PDF - 802 KB)
- East of St. Laurent Boulevard to East of Cyrville Road (PDF - 850 KB)
- East of Cyrville Road to Innis Road (PDF - 576 KB)
22. Next Steps
Following this third round of PICs, the Project Team will:
- Review input from the public and agencies regarding the Recommended Plan
- Refine or confirm the Recommended Plan
- Prepare and file the TESR with the Ministry of the Environment for a 30-day public review period
- Complete the project.
23. 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 consultant or MTO staff during the study to discuss the project
- Welcome
- Updates
- Background
- Environmental Assessment Process
- Study Purpose
- Study Area
- Study Schedule
- Reports (available as approved)
- Presentations (available as approved)
- Get Involved
- Contacts
24. Resource Table
The following documents were availible at the PIC #3 Resource Table:
- Eastern Ontario Strategic Transportation Directions document
- Summary Table of Assessment and Evaluation of "Alternatives to" the Undertaking (PIC #1)
- Evaluation Methodology (PIC #2)
- Evaluation Criteria (PIC #2)
- Alternative Plans and Evaluation Results (PIC #2)
- Technically Preferred Alternative Plans (PIC #2)
- Traffic and Environmental Specialist reports including Air Quality, Noise and Assessment Results
- PIC Summary Reports: PIC #1 | PIC #2
- Problem Identification Plans from PIC #1 (Corridor Analysis Plans)
- Comment Sheets
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