HomeMy WebLinkAboutINS-13-092 - Noise Exemption - Hwy 401 - Bridge Improvements
REPORT TO:Community & Infrastructure Services Committee
DATE OF MEETING:
September 30, 2013
SUBMITTED BY: Justin Readman, Director, Transportation Services
PREPARED BY:
Stephanie Brasseur, Traffic Project Coordinator
(519-741-2200 x7373)
WARD(S) INVOLVED:
Ward 3
DATE OF REPORT:
September 18, 2013
REPORT NO.:
INS-13-092
SUBJECT:
NOISE EXEMPTION – HIGHWAY 401 – BRIDGE
IMPROVEMENTS
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 401 and Bridge Improvements in the City of
Kitchener. The request for the noise by-law exemption is between the hours of 7:00 p.m.
and 7:00 a.m. for the period May 1, 2014 to November 30, 2014.
BACKGROUND:
Ongoing MTO Highway 401 improvements include the rehabilitation of the Highway 8 ramp
bridge to the eastbound highway 401, which borders City of Cambridge and the City of
Kitchener. In order to complete the construction work within the project schedule and minimize
traffic disruption, periodic night-time and weekend work must take place.
REPORT:
The project will take place between May 1, 2014 and November 30, 2014 and the contractor is
required to keep idling of construction equipment to a minimum and to maintain equipment in
good working order to reduce noise. In addition, the MTO construction noise protocol requires
that the Contract Administrator monitor and investigate any complaints regarding construction
noise. Public meetings have been held in May 2013 to discuss construction concerns and local
newspapers have been used to communicate additional information about the project.
The general work relative to the noise exemption involves the following construction activities:
Placement and removal of formwork/false-work
Expansion joint replacement and testing
Traffic control set up
Commissioning of de-icing system
Final paving and line painting
Concrete sealer
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These operations are preferably carried out at night when traffic volumes are lower in order to
minimize disruption to traffic and to improve worker safety.
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 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 after hours or at night-time in an effort to reduce the significant impact to travel
patterns within the City of Kitchener and Region of Waterloo.
In order to expedite the construction and allow extended hours of work to take place for this
project, thereby minimizing traffic impacts on Highway 401 and Highway 8, 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.
COMMUNICATIONS:
All affected residents and property owners are advised of highway widening projects, including
expected after hours and night-time work operations, through a mail-out and Public Information
Centre. A few residential homes are predominately located in the area those being; Limerick
Drive, Greensview Drive and Edgehill Drive in the City of Kitchener. As the project progresses,
after hours and night-time work details will be communicated through a project website.
ACKNOWLEDGED BY: Pauline Houston, Deputy CAO
Infrastructure Services Department
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