HomeMy WebLinkAboutINS-11-006 - Noise Exemption - Highway 7-8 Reconstruction and WideningREPORT TO:Community and Infrastructure Services Committee
DATE OF MEETING:
January 17, 2011
SUBMITTED BY: John McBride, Director of Transportation Planning
PREPARED BY:
Stephanie Brasseur, Traffic Project Coordinator (741-2373)
WARD(S) INVOLVED: Wards 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9
DATE OF REPORT: December 17, 2010
REPORT NO.:
INS-11-006
SUBJECT:
NOISE EXEMPTION – HIGHWAY 7/8 RECONSTRUCTION
AND WIDENING
RECOMMENDATION:
That the Ministry of Transportation of Ontario (MTO) and its contractor(s) be exempt from
the provisions of Chapter 450 Noise of the City of Kitchener Municipal Code Article 6
Construction Work during the Highway 7/8 (Courtland Avenue to 1 km west of Fischer
Hallman Road) reconstruction and widening project in the City of Kitchener. The request
for the noise by-law exemption is for between the hours of 7:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. for the
period March 7, 2011 to December 31, 2013.
BACKGROUND:
Dillon Consulting is preparing the design and contract documentation for the Highway 7/8
reconstruction and widening for the MTO. In order to complete the construction work and
minimize traffic disruption for this project, night-time and weekend work must take place in order
to complete the project in the time allotment. This exemption is requested in order to complete
the work as required. This proposed work could require partial and complete closures of the
Expressway, from Courtland Avenue to Fischer Hallman Road and will affect travel patterns in
the area. Traffic interference will be minimized by working at night and weekends when volumes
are significantly lower.
REPORT:
The project is expected to commence in the Spring of 2011 and be finished in December 2013,
representing a three-year timeline.
The general work relative to the noise exemption involves the following construction activities:
Night-time paving operations
Pouring concrete for the bridge decks
Bridge demolition and structural works.
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Night-time and weekend works will be required for bridge demolition and box girder erection
with two weekends per side - for a total of four weekends per structure for the Homer Watson,
Westmount, Ottawa and Courtland Avenue structures.
Noise from these activities will be a result of excavation equipment, jack hammers, saw cutting,
equipment operations and reverse warning signals.
Other noise includes such items as milling, paving, temporary concrete barrier
installation/removals and line painting, which are preferably carried out at night when traffic
volumes are low to minimize disruption to traffic and to improve worker safety.
Exemptions for operations of pile driving will not be provided during the hours of 7:00 p.m. and
7:00 a.m. as this work will be restricted to day-time hours only.
Noise protocol will be followed, which covers administrative measures such as scheduling of
noisy activities at times of least impact, selection of haulage routes to minimize close proximity
to neighbours, and maintaining contact with residents.
The MTO, through execution of their highway widening projects, will complete as much work as
possible during the permitted 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. construction time period. However due to
the impacts of some types of work that require lane closures or full road closures, work will be
executed during after hours or at night-time in an effort to reduce the significant impact to travel
patterns within the City of Kitchener.
In order to expedite the construction and allow extended hours of work to take place for this
project, thereby minimizing traffic impacts on Highway 8 and adjacent arterial roadways, we
recommend that this request for a noise by-law exemption be granted.
ALIGNMENT WITH CITY OF KITCHENER STRATEGIC PLAN:
This initiative falls under the Community Priority of Quality of Life. “Work with partners, including
all orders of government, to create a culture of safety in our community.” The implementation of
improved traffic flow and safety will provide positive direction for motorists.
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS:
None.
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COMMUNICATIONS:
The MTO provides notification of the initial construction start up, as well as for major updates
throughout the project, through newspaper notices and roadway informational signing. These
notices and signing will include a link to a project website – a website that will be updated
regularly in order to advise residents and motorists of upcoming works, including after hours and
overnight work.
This website link will also be included on the City of Kitchener’s website.
City of Kitchener staff will be represented on the construction project team and will be attending
regular meetings related to the project.
ACKNOWLEDGED BY:
Pauline Houston, Deputy CAO
Infrastructure Services Department
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