HomeMy WebLinkAboutINS-15-033 - Strasburg Creek Flood Control EA Addendum Pedestrian Crossing of Fischer Hallman Rd Staff Rport
I r rc'.�► t .R Infrastructure Services Department wmkitchener.ca
REPORT TO: Community and Infrastructure Services Committee
DATE OF MEETING: April 20, 2015
SUBMITTED BY: Linda Cooper, Manager Development Engineering, ext.7974
PREPARED BY: Eric Riek, Project Manager Development Engineering, ext.7136
WARD(S) INVOLVED: 5
DATE OF REPORT: April 1, 2015
REPORT NO.: INS-15-033
SUBJECT: Strasburg Creek Flood Control EA Addendum
Pedestrian Crossing of Fischer Hallman Road
RECOMMENDATION:
That the Strasburg Creek Flood Control Environmental Assessment (EA)
Pedestrian Crossing Addendum dated April 2015, be received and approved; and
further
That the Strasburg Creek Flood Control EA Pedestrian Crossing Addendum dated
April 2015 be filed with the Ministry of the Environment for the mandatory thirty
(30) day review period.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
The Strasburg Creek Flood Control Schedule `B' Class Environmental Assessment (EA)
completed in May 2014 recommended a below grade pedestrian crossing of Fischer
Hallman Road at Strasburg Creek. The proposed culvert would act as a pedestrian
connection from lands west of Fischer Hallman Road to the Huron Natural Area as well
as convey flows during large storm events.
It was determined that additional examination of potential forms of pedestrian crossings
should be completed through an Addendum to the Class EA. The proposed problem
statement for this addendum is:
"Determine the most appropriate means of providing a safe pedestrian crossing
of Fischer-Hallman Road to link future urban development areas to the west with
the Huron Natural Area and trail system to the east. The crossing must not
compromise the Strasburg Creek flow conveyance capacity, the City of Kitchener
Multi-use Pathways and Trails Master Plan, integrate with the Fischer-Hallman
Road Class EA and must minimize impacts to existing infrastructure, including
the 450 mm diameter watermain."
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Through further assessment and consideration of natural environment, economic
environment, technical environment, cultural environment, and public safety; it was
determined that an at-grade crossing is the preferred alternative.
BACKGROUND:
The Strasburg Creek Flood Control Schedule `B' Class Environmental Assessment (EA)
was completed in May 2014 for the City of Kitchener to assess the preferred means to
incorporate the required flood controls into the Strasburg Creek system. In addition to
the flood control feature, the original study also considered potential below grade
pedestrian crossing configurations that crossed Fischer-Hallman Road at the upstream
limits of the study area. Following completion of the Flood Control Class EA, the Region
of Waterloo began work on an Environmental Assessment for the widening of Fischer-
Hallman Road through the same study area.
New information from this process is now available, including preliminary road profile
and cross sections, and a more detailed consideration of the existing watermain. The
watermain is the primary supply for the Huron Village Community and, as such, cannot
be moved or temporarily shut down to facilitate construction. The pedestrian crossing at
Fischer-Hallman Road and Strasburg Creek was identified in the Flood Control EA as a
below-grade crossing (in association with the stream conveyance system), which would
require the relocation of the watermain. With the proposed Fischer-Hallman Road
improvement details now available, the City initiated the addendum to the EA to further
evaluate different options for a pedestrian crossing to confirm that the most appropriate
form of pedestrian crossing is considered.
REPORT:
A key objective of the study is to protect the environment, as defined in the Ontario
Environmental Assessment Act, through the wise management of resources. This has
been achieved by identifying appropriate mitigation and monitoring measures to
minimize the potential adverse environmental effects. In addition, the participation of a
broad range of stakeholders in the study process has allowed for the sharing of ideas
and identification of creative solutions that are acceptable to affected and interested
parties.
A number of alternative solutions as summarized below were developed to address the
problem/opportunity statement:
1. Do Nothing.
Under this alternative, no new designated trail crossing of Fischer Hallman Road will
be introduced into the area.
2. Below Grade Crossing.
Culvert and pedestrian crossing per the original Class EA. The culvert will convey
water during large storm events, and sections of the trails will be located within the
floodplain. Lighting will be required.
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3. Above Grade Crossing.
Pedestrian bridge with footings outside of the right-of-way will need to be a minimum
of 5 m high to accommodate truck traffic and therefore significant ramps will be
required for accessibility. Refer to Figures 4 and 5.
4. At Grade Crossing.
Traditional at-grade crossings. Three potential locations were considered, including:
Option A:
At Strasburg Creek. Mid-block crossing near the Strasburg Creek culvert as per the
Trails Master Plan. A pedestrian refuge island will be required.
Option B:
At Bleams Road. Pedestrians directed northerly alongside Fischer-Hallman Road to
cross at the future Bleams Road roundabout.
Option C:
At Rosenberg Way. Pedestrians directed southerly alongside Fischer-Hallman Road
to cross at future Rosenberg Way roundabout.
The preferred alternative was determined to be Alternative 4A. In comparison to other
alternatives, Alternative 4A performed better against all other options when assessed
using the evaluation criteria which were natural environment, economic environment,
technical environment, cultural environment, and public safety.
ALIGNMENT WITH CITY OF KITCHENER STRATEGIC PLAN:
The Strasburg Creek Flood Control Environmental Assessment (EA) Pedestrian
Crossing Addendum is aligned with the City of Kitchener Strategic Plan (refer to
Strategic Plan document, Community Vision, Community Priorities — Environment, as
well as Efficient and effective government.)
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS:
The total cost of this EA addendum prepared by Stantec Consulting is $24,898.32
exclusive of HST. It is expected that the preferred alternative (at-grade crossing) can
easily be incorporated into the Region's road widening work and will not have
substantial costs. The high level construction cost estimate for the proposed at grade
crossing is $30,000.00.
The original estimated cost of both culverts from the 2014 EA was $1,928,603.00 (cost
share between Region and City) and this cost was rising as more information became
available. Kitchener's share of this cost was $658,469.00. Assuming there may be
minor works as noted above, the total cost saving to the City is approximately
$600,000.00.
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COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT:
INFORM — This report has been posted to the City's website with the agenda in
advance of the council / committee meeting. For transparency purposes, although not a
requirement of the Municipal Class Environmental Assessment process, the notice of
commencement was advertised on Feb. 20, 2015 at the outset of the project.
COLLABORATE - A stakeholder committee was formed to assess the alternatives
including staff from Engineering, Planning, Environmental Planning, Transportation
Planning, Operations, Region of Waterloo, and the GRCA.
CONCLUSION:
In accordance with the Class Environmental Assessment process and together with
studies and detailed assessment completed by the Consultant Team, the Project Team
has selected a preferred alternative.
In conclusion, staff recommends that the Strasburg Creek Flood Control Environmental
Assessment (EA) Pedestrian Crossing Addendum dated April 2015, prepared by
Stantec Consulting Ltd. be received and approved.
Further, staff recommends that the Strasburg Creek Flood Control Environmental
Assessment (EA) Pedestrian Crossing Addendum dated April 2015 be filed with the
Ministry of the Environment (MOE) for the mandatory thirty (30) day review period, as
required by the Environmental Assessment (EA) Act.
ACKNOWLEDGED BY: Dev Tyagi, Deputy CAO
Infrastructure Services Department
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