HomeMy WebLinkAboutDTS-06-008 - Homer Watson Boulevard/Fountain St/Hwy 401 Interchange Improvements1
Kd LR
Development&
Technical Services
6 REPORT
Report To: Development &Technical Services Committee
Date of Meeting: January 23, 2006
Submitted By: John McBride, Director of Transportation Planning
Prepared By: Stephanie Brasseur, Traffic Project Co- ordinator (741 -2373)
Ward(s) Involved: Fairview — Gateway —Ward 3
South —Ward 4
Date of Report: January 6, 2006
Report No.: DTS 06 -008
Subject: HOMER WATSON BOULEVARD /FOUNTAIN
STREET /HIGHWAY 401 INTERCHANGE IMPROVEMENTS
CONTRACT 2005 -3018, CITY OF KITCHENER — NOISE BY-
LAW EXEMPTION
RECOMMENDATION:
That the Ministry of Transportation 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 reconstruction and improvements of the interchange of Homer Watson
Boulevard /Fountain Street /Highway 401 in the City of Kitchener. The request for the
noise by -law exemption is between the hours of 7:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. for the period from
May 1, 2005 to December 31, 2007.
BACKGROUND:
In response to an updated letter dated December 8, 2005 from Cathy Giesbrecht, A/Supervisor
— Environmental Unit of the Ministry of Transportation, it was requested that an extension be
granted to the previous exemption listed in the 2005 report (DTS -05 -014). This extension is
required from December 31, 2006 to December 31, 2007 due to a change in the proposed
completion date for this project. It was concluded that the on -going work for this project must
take place seven (7) days a week in order to complete the project in the time allotment.
REPORT:
The limits of construction for this project include the interchange of Homer Watson
Boulevard /Fountain Street /Highway 401 in the City of Kitchener. This project commenced in
May 2005 and is scheduled to continue to approximately December 2007.
The scope of the contract includes the following:
• Replacement of the existing structure
• Widening of Homer Watson Boulevard to four lanes, with provision for future widening
• Advancing construction of new ramps for `northbound Homer Watson Boulevard to
eastbound Highway 401' and `southbound Homer Watson Boulevard to westbound Highway
401'
• Interchange and intersection improvements
• Construction of a direct access to New Dundee Road
• Expansion of the commuter parking lot and relocation of bicycle lanes
• Introduction of high mast lighting
• Addition of lanes on Homer Watson Boulevard north of the new interchange structure.
The extent and complexity of the reconstruction is a challenging undertaking. Due to the high
traffic volumes on Highway 401 and Homer Watson Boulevard in this section of the City,
restrictions will be placed on the contractors' operations. There will be occasional night work for
certain operations (i.e. bridge demolition). Homer Watson Boulevard /Fountain Street will be
closed temporarily to facilitate the replacement of the bridge structure. This operation is to
begin late Saturday night and be completed on a Sunday. The replacement of the bridge
structure over Highway 401 is expected to take eight hours to complete. Night work will involve
a rolling operation, involving milling of the existing lanes, grading and paving lanes and
shoulders, and a stationary operation to replace the Homer Watson /Fountain Street structure at
Highway 401. The construction activities will involve the use of asphalt spreaders, surface
planers, graders, trucks and backhoes. The use of jackhammers and compressors, if
warranted, may take place during nighttime hours for certain operations.
MTO's contracting practices includes control of construction noise. The MTO /MOE Highway
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. In the event of a complaint, MTO will
ensure that contract provisions regarding construction noise are adhered to by the contractor.
Typical construction noise will be generated after the specified by -law hours due to the
timeframe required to perform this work.
The request for a noise exemption will permit the Ministry of Transportation and its Contractor(s)
to complete their work in a safe and efficient manner under the limit set out in the contract. In
order to limit the impact on the nearby residential areas, the contractor will be required to
comply with requirements for equipment maintenance and operation, in that the contractor is
obligated to maintain all equipment in proper working order including proper noise reduction.
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS:
None.
COMMUNICATIONS:
The Ministry of Transportation has communicated the expectation of extended working hours to
area residents and have been actively advising of any changes as they develop.
14
CONCLUSION:
In order to expedite the construction and allow extended hours of work to take place for this
project, thereby minimizing traffic impacts on Homer Watson Boulevard /Fountain
Street /Highway 401 Interchange, we recommend that this request for a noise by -law exemption
be granted.
John P. McBride, Director
Transportation Planning
Stephanie Brasseur, C. E.T.
Traffic Project Co- ordinator
Transportation Planning
SB
Attach.
Ken Carmichael, C.E.T.
Supervisor of Traffic & Parking
Transportation Planning