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HomeMy WebLinkAboutINS-17-016 - Noise Exemption - Region of Waterloo Stage 1 Light Rail Project REPORT TO: Community & Infrastructure Services Committee DATE OF MEETING: March 6, 2017 SUBMITTED BY: Ken Carmichael, Interim Director, Transportation Services 519-741-2200, extension 7372 PREPARED BY: Stephanie Brasseur, Traffic Project Coordinator 519-741-2200, extension 7373 WARD(S) INVOLVED: Wards 3, 9, 10 DATE OF REPORT: February 9, 2017 REPORT NO.: INS-17-016 SUBJECT:Noise Exemption – Region of Waterloo Stage 1 – Light Rail Project ___________________________________________________________________________ RECOMMENDATION: That the Region of Waterloo 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 Region of Waterloo Stage 1 – Light Rail Project 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 February 1, 2017 and ending December 31, 2017. BACKGROUND: As Grandlinq, the Regions design and build consultant, continues their design and build of Stage 1 of the Region of Waterloo’s Light Rail Transit (LRT) project, ongoing work will be continuing to take place in the City of Kitchener. The work in 2017 is less invasive as it was in previous years as the majority of the underground work is complete. Work for 2017 mostly consists of deficiency work, surface asphalt placement and works on the LRT system, including but not limited to overhead and underground wire, the LRT stop works and finalizing LRT track. *** This information is available in accessible formats upon request. *** Please call 519-741-2345 or TTY 1-866-969-9994 for assistance. 2 - 1 REPORT: This project is extensive and will require a noise exemption for construction activities in the 2017 construction year for the purpose of completing the final construction schedule. Additionally, this will assist with accelerating schedules and construction activities to improve productivity during the construction season. Night work shortens project durations and disruptions to businesses, their customers and assists with delivery schedules. Staff and Council have been advised and/or a part of various planning project teams over the past few years to review and approve various aspects of the LRT project with awareness of the scope of the project. Grandlinq staff have been working cooperatively with City of Kitchener staff to co- ordinate construction operations in order to reduce traffic impacts to maintain the project schedule, minimizing the duration of the overall project timelines. The provision of an after-hours noise exemption allows for the required work to continue while best addressing impacts to the motoring public.Project work in 2017 includes the following locations of LRT project works: Section 4 – King Street from Union Boulevard to Victoria Street, Waterloo Street from Breithaupt Street to Victoria Street, Duke Street from Victoria St to Breithaupt Street Section 5 – King Street from Victoria Street to Francis Street, Francis Street from King Street to Duke Street, Duke Street from Francis Street to Frederick St, Frederick Street/Benton Street from Duke Street to Charles Street Section 6 – Charles Street from Victoria Street to Benton Street Section 7 – Charles Street from Benton Street to Ottawa Street Section 8 – Borden Avenue from Charles Street to the south limit of the roadway, including Grenville Avenue Section 9 – Ottawa Street from Charles Street to Mill Street Section 10 – Huron Spur from Palmer Avenue to south of Hayward Avenue, Hayward Avenue from Hanson Avenue to Courtland Avenue, Courtland Avenue form Hayward Avenue to Manitou Drive, North of Fairway Road from Courtland Avenue to Fairview Park Mall, Wilson Avenue from Fairway Road to Kingsway Drive The construction activities that would continue to take place between 7:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. may include the following: Ongoing construction of the King Street Grade Separation, immediately west of Victoria St Concrete placement (track, sidewalks, curb & gutter, bridge & wall structures, LRT stops) Aggregate and asphalt placement (all roads rebuilds listed above) Material movement (aggregates, track material, equipment) 2 - 2 Deficiency repairs of wet utilities (sewer & water) Track installation prior to concrete placement Testing of the train and systems Grandlinq has a website which provides construction updates relative to current and upcoming work of which the noise information will be published (www.rideion.ca). ALIGNMENT WITH CITY OF KITCHENER STRATEGIC PLAN: The recommendation of this report supports that achievement of the city’s strategic vision through the delivery of core service. FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS: None. COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT: The majority of impactful noise (deficiency works) will be conducted during regular daytime operations in order to comply with existing bylaws and to minimize after hours noise to residents. INFORM – Notification will be provided to all businesses and residents by Grandlinq within 400 metres of the project limit. Public communication will be addressed via the following: Letters to all businesses/residents in the area. An ION project website has been set up for the public to review for information and communication with a newsletter sign up as an option for ongoing improved communications – ION Construction website: www.rideion.ca and ION website: www.regionofwaterloo.ca/rapidtransit Communications staff available from the Region of Waterloo and Grandlinq via a 24 hour hotline. Project stickers are on all hard hats with the contact information for the hotline. ACKNOWLEDGED BY:Justin Readman, Interim Executive Director Infrastructure Services Department 2 - 3