HomeMy WebLinkAboutINS-15-032 - Iron Horse Trail - Rail Crossing Staff Rport
I r rc'.�► t .R Infrastructure Services Department wmkitchener.ca
REPORT TO: Community & Infrastructure Services Committee
DATE OF MEETING: April 20, 2015
SUBMITTED BY: Greg Hummel, Acting Director of Operations (741-2600 ext.
4598)
PREPARED BY: Mark Parris, Landscape Architect (741-2600 ext. 4397)
WARD(S) INVOLVED: 9
DATE OF REPORT: Thursday April 09, 2015
REPORT NO.: INS-15-032
SUBJECT: Proposed Trail/Rail Crossing at Victoria Park near Victoria St S
and West Ave.
RECOMMENDATION:
For information.
BACKGROUND:
A trail-railway crossing is proposed from the Iron Horse Trail to the Victoria Park forebay
pedestrian Bridge. The trail connection is identified in the Multi-Use Pathways and Trails
Master Plan as a proposed Primary Type 1 crossing and connection. The existing
condition has been used as an informal crossing location that requires action to remedy
unsafe crossing conditions. Staff are proposing an at-grade, un-signalized crossing to
the standard implemented at the existing railway crossing near David St. and Victoria
Park completed in October 2013.
REPORT:
The railway operator, Goderich Exeter Railway, has informed the City that trains may
engage whistles approaching the proposed crossing at the Victoria Park forebay
location. A similar crossing was completed at the David St./ Iron Horse trial-rail crossing
in 2013, with no specific requirement for train whistling in the crossing agreement for
that location.
Noise By-Law, Chapter 450 of the City of Kitchener Municipal Code, currently provides
an exemption for any sound arising from the operation of a railway. Where multi-use
pedestrian pathways & trails cross railway corridors, the rail authority may exercise its
right to engage train whistles as they approach crossings.
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Goderich Exeter Railway has expressed concern about their public image with the
introduction of a potential nuisance to the surrounding residents. Goderich Exeter has
asked that the city acknowledge in writing, the rail authority's right under Noise By-Law,
Chapter 450 that whistle blowing may occur at this new trail/rail crossing. It is estimated
that one freight train crosses this location twice daily at a speed of 15-20 kmh. Times of
the crossings are variable.
Staff will be proceeding with the approval process for this new trail crossing by
acknowledging that train whistling may occur at this new location. This report is
intended to inform Council prior to proceeding with the new trail-rail crossing.
ALIGNMENT WITH CITY OF KITCHENER STRATEGIC PLAN:
Quality of Life
Safe and accessible multi-use pathway and railway crossings will lead to greater
connectivity of the off-road transportation network and a more active population within
Kitchener.
Environment
Improving the connectivity of the multi-use pathway system allows the community to
utilize the trail corridor as a method of transportation, reducing the number of individuals
commuting by motorized vehicles.
Development
A well planned railway/multi-use pathway intersection will improve the usability,
connectivity and accessibility of the pathway system. The result is a greater
interconnection of our City's communities through cycling and walking.
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS:
Staff's action to acknowledge that train whistles may occur will allow the implementation
of the trail-rail crossing to be completed within the allocated budget of$150,000.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT:
The proposed crossing is identified on the City of Kitchener Multi-Use Pathways and
Trails Master Plan in which the community was engaged through workshops and
surveys. The plan was adopted by Council in 2012.
ACKNOWLEDGED BY: Dev Tyagi, Deputy CAO, Infrastructure Services Department
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Proposed Trail-Railway Crossing
'JICTORIA PARK
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WESMOUNT DRAIN
PROPOSED RAIL CROSSING
IRON HORSE TRIAL TO
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EXISTING IRON HORSE TRAIL
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Photo of Existing Trail-Railway Crossing
(1.Okm South of Proposed Crossing near David St. and Victoria Park)
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