HomeMy WebLinkAboutDTS-10-169 - Highway 8 - Noise ExemptionJ
Techn~en~-lc~es
REPORT
Report To: Council and Committee of the Whole
Date of Meeting: 2010 September 20
Submitted By: John McBride, Director of Transportation Planning
Prepared By: Ken Carmichael, Supervisor of Traffic and Parking (741-2372)
Ward(s) Involved: Chicopee-Grand River Ward - 2
Fairview-Gateway Ward - 3
Date of Report: 2010 September 17
Report No.: DTS-10-169
Subject: HIGHWAY 8 -NOISE EXEMPTION
RECOMMENDATION:
For information only.
BACKGROUND:
At the meeting of Council and Committee of the Whole on September 7, 2010, a delegation
appeared before Council, outlining their concerns with the current noise exemption provided to
the Ministry of Transportation of Ontario (MTO) and their contractors for the Highway 8
Widening construction project. Concerns were raised related to construction practices and their
impact on local residents during the overnight time period. From this, the following resolution
was approved by Council:
"That the City of Kitchener formally express its dissatisfaction to the Ministry of Transportation
(MTO) concerning construction noise issues affecting residents in the vicinity of Highway 8 -
Grand River bridge construction project; and,
That Council requests the MTO and its contractors to work with affected residents to address
their concerns, including the possibility of funding alternate accommodations, and report to
Council on the outcome by September 20, 2010; and further,
That Development and Technical Services and By-law Enforcement staff review the City's policy
pertaining to highway construction noise exemptions and with a report to come forward to
Council with recommendations."
This report will address the first two recommendations, while the final recommendation will be
reported back to Council at a later date.
REPORT:
City of Kitchener By-law Enforcement (Noise) and Transportation Planning staff met with
representatives from the MTO and their consultant, Morrison Hershfield Limited, following up on
the recommendations provided by Council.
At this meeting, the MTO and its consultant were clearly advised of the City of Kitchener's
dissatisfaction with the MTO concerning construction noise issues affecting residents in the
vicinity of Highway 8 -Grand River bridge construction project. In addition, the MTO and their
consultant were provided with a formal letter from the City Clerks Department, outlining the
Council resolution.
Provision of this Council resolution, along with discussion that took place at staff's meeting with
MTO and Morrison Hershfield representatives, led to a meeting involving the MTO, Morrison
Hershfield and the original delegation that appeared at Council on September 7, 2010. From
this subsequent meeting, held September 16, 2010, the following action plan was provided to
address the delegation's concerns:
1. Morrison Hershfield will provide the delegation with advance notice of specific
construction night events (north of Grand River) via email, and changes /
cancellations will be provided by email and phone message. Notices will be limited
to operations in the immediate area of the delegation's home.
2. Provisions for alternate accommodation will be provided for the construction period
to December 31, 2010.
3. Morrison Hershfield will arrange a meeting with the MTO and the delegation in May,
2011 to review 2011 events.
4. Compensation will be initiated in September, 2010 for the alternate accommodations
noted above. Administration of this compensation will require 60-90 days to process.
5. Morrison Hershfield's Senior Contract Administrator is the immediate contact and
any /all concerns should be directed to Morrison Hershfield.
A letter, outlining this action plan, has been provided to the delegation on the afternoon of
September 20, 2010. At the time of writing this report, the delegation has not yet signed off on
the action plan. However, it has been advised that the delegation verbally agreed to this plan
during the meeting held September 16, 2010.
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS:
None.
COMMUNICATIONS:
The MTO and its consultant will maintain regular contact with the delegation to communicate
upcoming night time construction activities and make the necessary arrangements.
ACKNOWLEDGED BY: Jeff Wllmer, Interim General Manager
Develo ment and Technical Services De artment
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