Town of Whitchurch-Stouffville Bethesda Side Road Reconstruction

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1 Town of Whitchurch-Stouffville Bethesda Side Road Reconstruction Date: Wednesday, April 26, 2017 Time: 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm and 7:00 pm to 8:00 pm 1

2 Your input is appreciated. You are encouraged to review the display material and to discuss any concerns with members of the study team in attendance. We invite you to provide any comments, in writing, on the Comment Sheet provided. As of April 27, 2017 all PIC material, including the Comment Sheet, will be available for download on the Town s website at All comments are to be submitted by May 10, 2017 to either of the following members of the Project Team: Curtis Roach, CD, P. Eng. Capital Projects Coordinator Public Works Town of Whitchurch-Stouffville 111 Sandiford Drive Stouffville, Ontario L4A 0Z8 Phone: ext Curtis.Roach@townofws.ca Mr. Tony Bosco, B. Eng. Manager of Transportation & Brampton Branch Manager Ainley Group 195 County Court Boulevard, Suite 300 Brampton, ON L6W 4P7 Phone: ext bosco@ainleygroup.com PLEASE SIGN IN MUNICIPAL FREEDOM OF INFORMATION & PROTECTION OF PRIVACY ACT All comments received will be maintained on file for use during the project and may be included in study documentation. Information collected will be used in accordance with the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. With the exception of personal information, all comments will become part of the public record. 2

3 The purpose of this Public Information Centre (PIC) is to present the preliminary design alternatives under consideration for the reconstruction of Bethesda Side Road and to obtain input from interested parties. This public meeting will present the following project details: Background Information Existing Conditions and Proposed Improvements Design Alternatives Under Consideration Design Constraints Mitigation Strategy Construction Staging Next Steps 3

4 (n.t.s.) The Town of Whitchurch-Stouffville has retained the Ainley Group to complete the design for the reconstruction of the following two segments of Bethesda Side Road: SegmentA-ExtendingfromHighway404toHighway48,adistanceofapproximately9.1km. Segment B Extending from the Tenth Line to Regional Road 30/York-Durham Line, a distance of approximately 0.5 km. 4

5 This road reconstruction project has been initiated to accommodate future growth and to complete upgrades to existing infrastructure, which has reached the end of its service life, in a timely and fiscally responsible manner. Based on the scope of work proposed this project is classified as a Schedule A+ in accordance with the Municipal Class Environmental Assessment and is therefore considered pre-approved, subject to public notification prior to implementation. The purpose of this undertaking is to: Improve pavement ride quality to an acceptable standard Increase the pavement strength and extend its service life Implement measures to mitigate frost heaves and distortions Improve drainage Reduce maintenance demands Improve safety 5

6 There are a number of deficiencies affecting the existing corridor that include: Pavement Structure: Pavement disintegration & cracking Potholes and frost heaves Sub-standard pavement grades and cross-falls Potholes and Frost Heaves Drainage: Culverts blocked by debris and sediment Ditches blocked by excessive vegetation growth Areas of ponding Dilapidated culverts Culverts Blocked By Debris and Sediment Pavement Disintegration Safety Missing or damaged guide rails Hazards within the Clear Zone -(The Clear Zone is measured from the edge of the driving lane to the face of an unprotected hazard where the side slope is traversable. This area is to remain unobstructed so that a driver can stop safely, or regain control of a vehicle that has left the roadway). Ponding Damaged or Missing Guiderails Ditches Blocked by Excessive Vegetation Growth Dilapidated Culverts 6

7 EXISTING ROAD CROSS-SECTION SECTION Rural cross-section with one lane in each direction (varying lane widths) Gravel shoulders that vary in width from 0.4 m to 2.5 m Existing alignment sub-standard in localized areas Approximately 20.0 m to 30.5 m No existing sidewalks or lanes to accommodate pedestrians or cyclists No existing municipal services within the corridor Streetlights in localized areas throughout corridor Utilities throughout the corridor include utility poles, communication cables and gas lines Ditch drainage with many deficiencies One existing structure Bethesda Side Road / Highway 404 bridge located outside western limits of project Existing hazards within the Clear Zone There are ten intersections within the limits of the project that are stop-sign controlled. Residential and commercial entrances exist throughout the project limits DESIGN CRITERIA ROAD CROSS-SECTION SECTION SHOULDERS ROAD ALIGNMENT RIGHT-OF OF-WAY WIDTH ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION (I.E. PEDESTRIAN AND CYCLING) MUNICPAL SERVICES ILLUMINATION UTILITIES DRAINAGE STRUCTURES/BRIDGES SAFETY INTERSECTIONS ENTRANCES PROPOSED IMPROVEMENTS Reconstruct to a rural cross-section with one lane in each direction to current Town standard lane width (i.e. 3.0 m or 3.5 m) Full paved shoulders approximately 1.0 m to 1.5m in width Horizontal and vertical alignment to be improved where feasible. Pavement realignment and /or shifts may be required in some locations. The existing right-of-way width will be maintained with only localized encroachment where necessary to accommodate grading and ditching Wider paved shoulder and pavement markings to delineate driving lanes from shoulders to provide safer area for pedestrians and cyclists Municipal services will not be constructed as part of this project. No additional streetlights are proposed. Full scale utility relocation is not proposed, but localized pole removal and relocation may be required. Ditch drainage to be improved through ditch cleanout and culvert rehabilitation or replacement No improvements or changes are proposed to the existing Bethesda Side Road / Highway 404 bridge structure Remove hazards within the Clear Zone; improve existing guide rail; relocate utility poles as appropriate No traffic lights are proposed as part of this project. All entrances will be re-instated to match existing conditions. Should entrance relocations be required, affected property owners will be contacted directly by the Town in advance. Existing Bethesda Side Road (From Hwy 404 Looking East) Existing Bethesda Side Road (Near Bethesda Grange Golf Course) 7

8 Design Alternative 1 Widen road platform to accommodate one 3.5 m wide lane in each direction. 1.5mwidepavedshouldersonbothsidesofcorridor. 3:1 Back slope(from bottom of ditch to property Line). Drainage improvements Grading may result in localized encroachment onto private property at a number of locations. Encroachment will occur on one side of the corridor only, but its location, north versus south side of roadway, will vary throughout the corridor. Wider vehicle lanes. ADVANTAGES Widest paved shoulders, uniform in width, for pedestrian/cyclist use, of the three alternatives under consideration. DISADVANTAGES Of the three alternatives under consideration, this option will have more widespread encroachment onto private property in localized areas. New road side slopes will force the ditches to be realigned which may result in the need for additional permits and a more lengthy approval period. Highest construction costs of the three alternatives under consideration. 8

9 Design Alternative 2 Widen road platform to accommodate one 3.5 m wide lane in each direction. 1.5m paved shoulders on both sides of corridor reduced to 1.0 m where necessary. 2:1 back slope(from bottom of ditch to property Line). Drainage Improvements Grading may result in localized encroachment onto private property. Encroachment will occur on one side of the corridor only, but its location, north versus south side of roadway, will vary throughout the corridor. ADVANTAGES Wider vehicle lanes. Wider shoulders in select areas, where possible. DISADVANTAGES Of the three alternatives under consideration, this option will result in a moderate amount of localized encroachment onto private property. Shoulder widths not uniform widths will vary throughout depending on property encroachment. New road side slopes will force the ditches to be realigned which may result in the need for additional permits and a more lengthy approval period. Second highest construction costs of the three alternatives under consideration. 9

10 Design Alternative 3 Retain existing road platform to provide one 3.0 m wide lane in each direction. 1.0mpavedshoulderonbothsidesofcorridor. 2:1backslopefrombottomofditchtopropertyLine. Drainage Improvements Grading may result in localized encroachment onto private property at several locations. Encroachment will occur on one side of the corridor only, but its location, north versus south side of roadway, will vary throughout the corridor. ADVANTAGES In comparison to the other two alternatives this option will result in a marginal amount of localized encroachment onto private property. DISADVANTAGES Narrower vehicle lanes in comparison to Alternatives 1 & 2, but still within the design standard threshold. Lowest construction costs of the three alternatives under consideration. Construction is most cost effective and can be built in shorter time frame compared to other options. Narrower paved shoulders in comparison to Alternatives 1 and 2, but shoulders can be defined more clearly by using pavement markings. This option will not address drainage deficiencies to the same extent as Alternatives 1& 2. 10

11 There are a number of sensitive environmental features in proximity to the project that include vegetation, watercourses, ponds, and wetlands. The reconstruction of Bethesda Side Road will be designed and constructed in a manner that will minimize impacts to vegetation, fish and fish habitat, water quality, and area wildlife including Species at Risk. A natural heritage review is currently underway to characterize existing conditions, assess the potential for impact and to assist in the development of a suitable mitigation strategy. Relevant agencies will be consulted throughout this process including the Toronto Region Conservation Authority (TRCA), Department of Fisheries and Oceans(DFO), Ministry of Environment and Climate Change(MOECC) and the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry(MNRF). 11

12 Adjacent Properties: Bethesda Side Road will be reconstructed within the existing right-of way to minimize impacts to adjacent properties. While property acquisition is not required, there will be localized areas where encroachment beyond the property line may be necessary to accommodate grading and ditching. These localized areas of encroachment are identified on the roll plan drawings presented at this PIC. Please ask a member of the study team for assistance to confirm impacts associated with a specific property. Existing Utilities: Aerial utilities exist throughout the corridor within the project limits. Full scale utility relocation is not proposed; however, localized pole removal and relocation may be required. This will be confirmed during the detailed design phase. 12

13 The mitigation strategy identified below is preliminary only and may be modified following the completion of necessary field studies and ongoing discussions with approval agencies: Aquatic Wildlife (Including Species at Risk) Adherence to fisheries timing restrictions Obtain necessary approvals from the Department of Fisheries & Oceans, Toronto Region Conservation Authority, and the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry. Application of standard best management practices forworking in and around water (i.e. sediment & erosion control; site restoration following construction; equipment refueling and maintenance restrictions etc.). Terrestrial Wildlife (Including Species at Risk) Any necessary vegetation removal will be completed in a manner that will comply withthe Migratory Birds Convention Act and Migratory Bird Regulations to avoid impacting migratory birds (includingsar) during the breeding season. Obtain input from Toronto RegionConservation Authority and Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry. Vegetation Re-stabilize and re-vegetate exposed surfaces as soon as possible following construction. Define limits of construction with fencing to minimize intrusion into unnecessary areas. Review existing vegetation to confirm no Species at Risk. Wetlands Application of standard best management practices forworking in and around water (i.e. sediment & erosion control; site restoration following construction; equipment refueling and maintenance restrictions etc.). Consultation with relevant agencies. Surface Water Obtain necessary approval from the Toronto Region Conservation Authority. Application of standard best management practices for working in and around water (i.e. sediment & erosion control; site restoration following construction; equipment refueling and maintenance restrictions etc.). A Ministry of Environment Permit To Take Water (surface water)will be obtained, as required. Groundwater A Ministry of Environment and Climate ChangePermit To Take Water(groundwater) will be obtained, as required. Standard water conservation measures will also be employed to minimize the amount of water taken and to terminate the usage as soon as possible. Contamination/Waste Management Re-use and disposal of excess material during construction will be managed in accordance with regulatory requirements and provincial specificationsfor the management of excess materials. Archaeological A Stage 1 archaeological assessment is being completed for this project. Noise Utilize standardnoise mitigation measures to minimize potential for impact (i.e. construction equipment to comply with the noise emission standards;equipment to be in good repair& fitted with functioning mufflers;limit construction activities that create excessive noise to daytime hours; maximize the separation distance between construction staging areas and nearby receptors to the greatest extent possible). Adherence to Municipal Noise By-law and associated timing restrictions. Air Quality Dust controlled by the application of dust suppressants; covering of soil stockpiles; and making certain that all equipment pollution control devices are operational and properly maintained. 13

14 Once the preferred design alternative for the reconstruction of Bethesda Side Road is selected following the completion of this PIC, the project will move forward to the detailed design stage and eventually to construction. This project will be designed and constructed over a period of five years in five different phases with construction for Phase 1 expected to start in The construction start dates as shown are approximate and will be subject to the receipt of funding and necessary approvals. PHASE LOCATION ANTICIPATED CONSTRUCTION START 1 Highway 48 to McCowan Road Highway 404 to Woodbine Avenue and Tenth Line to Regional Rd 30/York-Durham Line McCowan Road to Kennedy Road Kennedy Road to Warden Avenue Warden Avenue to Woodbine Avenue

15 As of April 27, 2017 all PIC material, including the Comment Sheet, will be available for download from the Town s website at The project team will review the comments received following completion of this Public Information Centre. Individual property owners affected by localized encroachment may be contacted for additional site specific input. Staff will report back to Council on feedback received from residents to seek further direction. As indicated, detailed design and construction will be completed in phases. Prior to the construction of each phase, the Town will schedule a Public Information Centre to present the detailed design for that phase to obtain additional public comment. Thank you for your attendance at this meeting! We appreciate your participation. 15