HomeMy WebLinkAboutINS-16-078 - Pioneer Tower Road Sidewalk Infill
REPORT TO: Council
DATE OF MEETING: September 26, 2016
SUBMITTED BY: Hans Gross, Director of Engineering Services,
519-741-2200, ext. 7410
PREPARED BY: Chris Spere, Manager of Engineering Construction, 519-741-
2200, ext. 7412
Barry Cronkite, Interim Manager, Transportation Planning 519-
741-2200, ext. 7738
WARD(S) INVOLVED: Ward 3
DATE OF REPORT: September 20, 2016
REPORT NO.: INS-16-078
SUBJECT:Pioneer Tower Road Sidewalk Infill
___________________________________________________________________________
RECOMMENDATION:
That staff be directed to notify affected citizens and proceed with the installation
of option _________ as part of the 2017 sidewalk infill program. (Council to
choose from options 1a through 4)
BACKGROUND:
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On August 292016, Council passed the following motion:
WHEREAS in June 2015 Council approved a Sidewalk Infill Policy, which sets out a
process and establishes a priority ranking system for undertaking sidewalk infill projects
to facilitate the creation of a sustainable and accessible transportation network within
the City of Kitchener; and,
WHEREAS prior to the establishment of the Sidewalk Infill Policy, major road repairs
were undertaken to Pioneer Tower Road, and due to several identified challenges (e.g.
expropriation and impact on endangered species of tree) the portion of sidewalk in front
of 88, 98 and 110 Pioneer Tower Road was not constructed; and,
WHEREAS the subject portion of Pioneer Tower Road has since been identified as
Priority Two and based on this ranking it is not within the 10-year Capital Forecast; and,
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WHEREAS the number of families in this neighbourhood has increased, so to have
concerns from area residents over pedestrian safety due to the lack of contiguous
sidewalks; and,
WHEREAS Section 1.l) of the Sidewalk Infill Policy states: “should sidewalks be
requested by Council or citizens, staff will review the location individually, regardless of
the overall priority ranking of the roadway, and the project may be scheduled in to the
overall capital program”;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that in accordance with Section 1.l) of the Sidewalk
Infill Policy, staff be directed to undertake an assessment and report back with possible
options to complete the sidewalk along 88, 98 and 110 Pioneer Tower Road.”
REPORT:
Pioneer Tower Road is a major collector roadway that was partially reconstructed in
2010. The right of way width varies from approximately 20m between 88 and 110
Pioneer Tower Road and along 4355 King St E, to 24.6m elsewhere. There are two
sections of sidewalk that are absent (along 4355 King St E and in front of 88-110
Pioneer Tower Road).
Staff have reviewed the feasibility of installing sidewalk along 88, 98 and 110 Pioneer
Tower Road. In any of the options below regrading is required, which may have impacts
on the affected properties. Staff have identified the following alternatives for Council’s
consideration:
Option 1a: Obtain the necessary lands from 88, 98, and 110 Pioneer Tower Road
and install concrete sidewalk from the existing sidewalk in front of 88, 98 and 110
Pioneer Tower Road
While the majority of Pioneer Tower Road is 24.6m in width, the identified right of way
within the City of Kitchener’s Official Plan is 20.0m. By obtaining lands required for the
installation of sidewalk along this frontage, the right of way will exceed what has been
identified.
Additionally, it should be noted that there are three hackberry trees that were identified
in 2010 as regionally significant and all efforts need to be made to ensure that any
construction activity is not detrimental to the health of the trees. Construction of a
concrete sidewalk within the drip line of these trees would require hand excavation to
minimize potential damage to the trees.
It is anticipated that the process required to obtain the lands would take a minimum of
two years, which would mean that sidewalks are not anticipated not be installed until the
2019 construction season should Council choose this option.
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9. a. - 2
Option 1b: Pilot a rubberized sidewalk material within the existing right of way (at
approximately 0.9m wide) and monitor its effectiveness while staff work towards
obtaining the necessary lands required to complete a sidewalk section that meets
current accessibility standards.
Rubberized sidewalks have been used throughout North America where traditional
concrete sidewalks cannot be constructed. They are hand placed and typically used in
situations where the health of mature trees or other slightly below grade infrastructure
preservation is of utmost concern.
The typical lifespan of rubberized sidewalk is estimated to be 5-7 years. The installation
of rubberized sidewalk could be undertaken as a temporary measure, while staff
negotiates a purchase or expropriation agreement to develop the proper, ultimate
design as per option 1a. It should be pointed out that this option does not conform to
Integrated Accessibility Standards, and would only be installed on a temporary basis.
It should also be noted that the rubberized sidewalk in this option would be located
adjacent to the curb, similar to curb faced sidewalk and would still require the
homeowners to maintain the sidewalk to the same standard as typical concrete
sidewalk during the winter months.
Existing grades make this option difficult to construct without encroaching onto private
property as the adjacent landscaping would need to be brought up to the sidewalk edge
to minimize trip and fall hazards.
Option 2: Narrow the roadway to approximately 6.5 metres and install curb face
concrete sidewalk within the resultant boulevard
By narrowing the roadway width along this section of Pioneer Tower Road enough
space can be developed that should allow for 1.8 metre curb face sidewalk to be
installed. The pavement width varies between 7.5 metres and 8.0 metres currently.
This option would result in realignment of sidewalk in front of 82 and 114 Pioneer Tower
Road and would also serve as a traffic calming device. However, given the resultant
geometry of the roadway, along with curb faced sidewalk, it would still result in a
pedestrian environment that is less than desirable.
This option would minimize impact on the existing Hackberry trees.
Option 3: Install concrete sidewalk at a substandard width (approximately 0.9m)
around the existing tree and within the current right of way
Installing a concrete sidewalk that is substandard in width provides for a safe pedestrian
area and maintains all existing geometrics and property limits.While this is the easiest
option from a constructability and property acquisition standpoint, it would not meet the
required 1.5 metre clear path sidewalk width requirements outlined within Ontario
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Regulation 191/11 – Integrated Accessibility Standards. However, there is an exemption
outlined within the regulation that allows for substandard sidewalks where it is not
practicable to comply with the requirements due to physical or site constraints, such as
where increasing the width of the exterior path would narrow the width of the adjacent
highway.
This option would have similar impacts on the hackberry trees as option 1.
Existing grades make this option difficult to construct without encroaching onto private
property since landscaping would need to be regraded to meet the edge of sidewalk to
minimize trip and fall hazards.
Option 4: Do Nothing
By doing nothing along this section of Pioneer Tower Road, property acquisition and
environmental impacts are mitigated. It should be noted that Pioneer Tower Road is
identified as a priority 2 sidewalk infill location as defined by the City of Kitchener’s
sidewalk infill policy. It is anticipated that the City would review the installation of
sidewalk on one or both sides of Pioneer Tower Road within the next 5-10 years.
ALIGNMENT WITH CITY OF KITCHENER STRATEGIC PLAN:
The recommendation of this report supports the achievement of the city’s strategic
vision through the delivery of core service.
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS:
The class C cost estimates related to all options included within this report are as
follows:
Option 1a –$ 52,000 inclusive of property acquisition costs
Option 1b - $20,000 for the rubberized sidewalk pilot, in addition to the costs
associated with 1a
Option 2 –$ 62,000
Option 3 - $25,000
Should Council direct staff to complete the installation of sidewalk at 88 to 110 Pioneer
Tower Road as part of the 2017 sidewalk infill program, it should be noted that other
sidewalk infill projects defined as priority 1 will be delayed.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT:
Through consultation with affected property owners as part of the 2010 sidewalk
construction there was limited support for a sidewalk at this location.
Should Council direct staff to further investigate one or more of the options outlined
within this report then staff would inform directly and indirectly affected properties in the
future, prior to proceeding with construction of this sidewalk segment.
ACKNOWLEDGED BY:
Justin Readman, Interim Executive Director
Infrastructure Services Department
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KEY MAP
Pioneer Tower Road
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