HomeMy WebLinkAboutDTS-08-017 - Bridgeport Bridge and Bridge Street Environmental AssessmentJ
T~ E
Development &
Technical Services
REPORT
Report To: Development and Technical Services Committee
Date of Meeting:
Submitted By:
Prepared By:
Ward(s~ Involved:
Date of Report:
Report No.:
2008-01-07
John McBride
John McBride
Ward One
2007-12-21
DTS 08-17
Subject: BRIDGEPORT BRIDGE AND BRIDGE STREET
ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT
RECOMMENDATION:
For information purposes.
BACKGROUND:
The Region of Waterloo is undertaking a "Class Environmental Assessment" (EA) study for
improvements to Bridge Street (Regional Road 52) between Woolwich Street and Bloomingdale
Road in the former settlement of Bridgeport in the City of Kitchener. The study area includes
the intersection of Bridge Street and Lancaster Street as well as the Bridgeport Bridge over the
Grand River.
Traffic volumes have continued to grow within the Bridge Street corridor causing the traffic level
of service to become deficient, and traffic delays are regular. In addition, the Bridgeport Bridge
over the Grand River is more than 70 years old and has experienced significant deterioration
that must be addressed.
REPORT:
The Region of Waterloo has completed the review of options to address structural deficiencies
of the Bridgeport Bridge and network capacity issues through the intersection of Bridge Street
and Lancaster Street. Extensive public consultation has taken place including two Public
Information Centres and a public meeting.
Based on comments and submissions received from the public together with the other technical
information gathered for this project, the Project Team is now recommending that Regional
Council approve the following recommended alternatives for this project:
• Rehabilitation of the existing Bridgeport Bridge;
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• Conventional Roundabout at the Lancaster Street and Bridge Street intersection; and
• Temporary Bridge across the Grand River to maintain traffic during construction.
In order to accommodate this major reconstruction project, the preferred alternative
recommended by the Project Team for detouring and maintaining traffic during construction is
as follows:
Construction of a Temporary Modular Bridge (TMB} over the Grand River;
Closure of Bridge Street between Woolwich Street and Lancaster Street;
Detouring of all southbound Bridge Street through traffic at University Avenue to
Highway 85; and
Detouring of all northbound Bridge Street through traffic westerly along Lancaster Street
to Shirk Place/Woolwich Street and connecting back to Bridge Street northerly.
Shirk Place will remain atwo-way roadway between Lancaster Street and Woolwich Street (at
the bend), while Woolwich Street between Shirk Place and Bridge Street will be converted to
one-way (northbound) use only. Please refer to the attached sketch for greater detail.
In order that the Shirk Place/Woolwich Street sections of roadway between Lancaster and
Bridge Streets will be available early in 2009 when the main construction work on the Bridgeport
Bridge and at the Bridge/Lancaster intersection is scheduled to start, the Region proposes to
undertake the improvements to Shirk Place and Woolwich Street in 2008. In general, there will
be placement of a 40 mm lift of hot laid asphalt over the existing road surface, while providing a
barrier-separated pedestrian pathway along the north side of the Woolwich Street traveled
portion of roadway to allow continued safe use of the roadway by pedestrians during the detour
operation.
COMMUNICATIONS:
Extensive public consultation has taken place as part of this project. In addition, the residents
and businesses along the Shirk Place and Woolwich Street detour have been contacted
individually on numerous occasions regarding the detour. As recently as the week of December
17th, hand delivered letters were again sent to every property on the detour informing them of
the changes and timing as outlined above.
Mr Greg Proctor, Project Manager, Region of Waterloo will be providing a brief overview of this
project for the Committee's information. The Region's report, which will be presented to the
Planning and Works Committee on January 8, 2008, is attached for information.
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS:
At this time there are no municipal costs associated with this project.
John P. McBride Director
Transportation Planning
Grant Murphy, P.Eng
Director of Engineering Services
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