HomeMy WebLinkAboutDTS-07-054 - Bridge Condition Assessment & Remediation Program1
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Development &
Technical Services
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Report To: Chair C. Weylie and Members of the Development and
Technical Services Committee
Date of Meeting: 2007 April 2
Submitted By: John McBride, Director Transportation Planning
Prepared By: John McBride (741-2374)
Ward(s) Involved: Ward 6 -West -Victoria Park
Date of Report: 2007 March 26
Report No.: DTS 07-054
Subject: QUEEN STREET LANE STATUS
RECOMMENDATIONS:
That the City of Kitchener support the redevelopment of Queen Street North between
Highland Rd and Courtland Ave as per the Downtown Kitchener West Side Connection
Study at a three lane cross section; and further,
That the Region of Waterloo be requested to address access from the west side of the
City to the Downtown through the Regional Transportation Master Plan update.
BACKGROUND:
The Region is currently undertaking the detailed redesign of Queen St between Highland Rd
and Courtland Ave in preparation for their 2008 reconstruction program. The intent of this
design is to implement the recommendations of the Downtown Kitchener West Side
Connection Study with respect to Queen St. A number of alternatives are being considered in
the detailed design but it will essentially provide for one lane in each direction with a centre
turn lane at appropriate locations to provide access to side streets and properties which front
Queen St.
A question has been raised as to whether Queen St would ever be widened to four lanes
between Highland Rd and Courtland Ave, especially now that Victoria St hasn't been widened
to four lanes as recommended by the Downtown Kitchener West Side Connection Study.
REPORT:
In the early 1980's, the Region of Waterloo undertook the Queen -Benton Connection Study
which looked at improving access from the west side of the City to the Downtown core.
Improvements that were planned included the widening of Queen St to four lanes from
Highland Rd to Mill St and the construction of a new four lane road to connect Queen St at
Mill St with Benton St at Courtland Ave. These changes were strongly opposed by the
neighbourhood and never implemented.
In 1999 the Downtown Kitchener West Side Connection Study was completed which
recommended the widening of Victoria St to four lanes between Charles St and Lawrence
Ave. It also included the marking of a third centre turning lane along Queen St from Highland
Rd to Charles St. The implementation of these improvements would negate the need for the
Queen -Benton Connection plan.
While the City of Kitchener fully supported the widening of Victoria St, unfortunately Regional
Council did not on the basis that the community impacts would be too severe. The portion of
Victoria St between Walnut St and Lawrence Ave was maintained as two lanes which has
limited capacity to the core and put greater pressure on alternate corridors.
At this time it is not the City's intent to widen Queen St to four lanes. Previous studies have
clearly indicated that while there is a need for improved access to the core, there is also a
need for a corridor with sufficient capacity to accommodate through traffic. Queen St clearly
does not provide this through traffic function and cannot realistically be rebuilt to provide it.
However, the through traffic demand and access improvements to the core have not been
addressed by the Regions position with respect to the Victoria St widening. Capacity
constraints still exist and will continue to get worse. While we suspect that Queen St will
never be widened to four lanes, it is premature at this time to rule out any options until such
time as the Region addresses access from the west side of the City.
An update of the Regional Transportation Master Plan will commence shortly and this is
definitely one of the issues that needs to be addressed.
CONCLUSION:
It is on this basis that the recommendations support the improvements being designed for
Queen St but also recognize that access to and through the core needs to be dealt with.
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS:
None.
John McBride, Director Dave Mansell, P.Eng
Transportation Planning Director of Engineering