HomeMy WebLinkAboutDTS-08-132 - Highway 7/8 Field Investigations For Detail Design - Noise Exemption~ ~, ~
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Development &
Technical Services
Report To: Development & Technical Services Committee
Date of Meeting: September 8, 2008
Submitted By: John McBride, Director of Transportation Planning
Prepared By: Stephanie Brasseur, Traffic Project Co-ordinator X741-2373)
Wards} Involved: Fairway-Gateway- Ward 3
South -Ward 4
Forest Rockway -Ward 5
Date of Report: August 21, 2008
Report No.: DTS- 08-132
Subject: HIGHWAY 7/8 FIELD INVESTIGATIONS FOR DETAIL
DESIGN -NOISE EXEMPTION
RECOMMENDATION:
That the Ministry of Transportation and its contractors} be exempt from the provisions
of Chapter 450 Noise of the City of Kitchener Municipal Code Article 6 Construction Work
during the field investigations for the detail design of Highway 7/8 from Fischer-Hallman
Road to Courtland Ave in the City of Kitchener. The request for the noise by-law
exemption is only between the hours of 7:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. for the period from August
25, 2008 to December 31, 2009.
BACKGROUND:
In order to complete their work and minimize traffic disruption for this project, nighttime work
must take place in order to complete the project in the time allotment. This exemption is
requested in order to complete the work as required. This work is proposed as an ongoing
operation for field investigations for detail design for proposed Highway 7/8 improvements. An
email was sent to the Mayor and Members of Council on August 18, 2008 in advance of the
work commencement outlining the work to be completed in the short term due to the limited
Council schedule during the summer months.
SCOPE OF WORK:
The work involves surveying, structural, geotechnical and foundation investigations on Highway
7/8 in the corridor from Courtland Avenue to Fischer Hallman Road beginning in August 2008
and continuing as required until the end of 2009. There will be significant capacity and safety
improvements with this project including:
Widening the highway from four to six lanes;
Providing an urban median with concrete median barrier and urban drainage;
Providing high mast lighting;
Fully paved outside shoulders, and;
Providing noise barrier wall through the Ministry's "Retrofit Noise Program".
TYPE OF NOISE:
The work involves intermittent noise for geotechnical testing in the pavement and shoulder, soil
borehole examinations with an auger, drill rig equipment for foundation investigations, and deck
coring for structure investigations using a saw and jack hammer. There are 10 structures that
will require the use of a saw and jack hammer for deck coring. The survey work is essentially
noiseless but must be completed during the same timeframe as other investigations due to lane
closures required. Where it is possible the work will be completed with daytime lane closures
but traffic volumes do not always allow this, especially to the east of Courtland Avenue. Crews
will attempt to minimize their nighttime noise.
DURATION:
The bulk of the investigations will be completed in 2008 but some investigations will extend to
2009. Once some preliminary design is underway little to no work will be completed in the
inclement weather.
TYPE OF NOISE:
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 order to expedite the field investigations and allow extended hours of work to take place for
this project, thereby minimizing traffic impacts, we recommend that this request for a noise by-
law exemption be granted.
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS:
None.
COMMUNICATIONS:
The Ministry of Transportation and its contractor will communicate the expectation of extended
working hours to area residents and have been actively advising of any changes as they
develop.
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CONCLUSION:
In order to expedite the field investigations and allow extended hours of work to take place for
this project, thereby minimizing traffic impacts on Highway 7/8, 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
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