The Corporation of the TOWN OF MILTON

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1 Report To: From: Committee of the Whole M. Paul Cripps, P. Eng., Commissioner, Engineering Services Date: October 3, 2016 Report No: Subject: Recommendation: Update CPR Pedestrian Bridge It is recommended that Committee of the Whole receive this report; EXECUTIVE SUMMARY AND THAT staff be directed to proceed with the design, tender and repair of the existing glazing on the CPR pedestrian bridge with laminated glass as specified within the report, to be funded from the Insurance Reserve, to a maximum of $247,000 (exclusive of tax); AND FURTHER THAT Council provides delegated authority to the CAO to award the tender for the re-design, repair and replacement of the glazing for the CPR pedestrian bridge and that staff report back to Council at a later date with the results of the award. Since its installation in 2013, the pedestrian bridge crossing of the CPR tracks adjacent to Lions Sports Park has been subjected to a number of acts of vandalism. This report is attempting to address some of those issues and minimize future costs. The glazing materials used in the design of the CPR pedestrian bridge cannot withstand the extensive vandalism they are being subjected to. Most of the glass panels have been broken. The Town has engaged WSP/MMM to provide a redesign of the glazing, specification and tender support and contract administration to resolve this issue. The objective of the redesign of the glazing for the bridge is to make the glazing much more resistant to vandalism and to make the glazing easier to maintain by allowing replacement of individual panels from inside the structure. The Town has initiated a claim through the insurers to pay for the work needed to repair the bridge. The amount received through this claim will be used to offset the total cost of replacement and installation of the glazing materials with any

2 Page 2 of 5 shortfall funded through the insurance reserve. Staff are recommending that Committee of the Whole direct staff to proceed with the redesign, tender and replacement of the existing glass panels on the CPR pedestrian bridge. REPORT Background The CPR pedestrian bridge spans the Canadian Pacific Railway tracks between Thompson Road and James Snow Parkway and allows for a pedestrian link between Clarke and Dempsey neighbourhoods. The bridge provides direct access to a variety of key destinations in Town, including the GO Station, Bishop Reding Secondary School, the Milton Leisure Centre, Centre for the Arts, Memorial Arena, Lions Sports Park and the downtown area. The need for a pedestrian access across the tracks was identified in both the Bristol Secondary Plan and the 2007 Trails Master Plan. The CPR pedestrian bridge provides a more convenient way to travel between the two neighbourhoods, as well as a safe alternative for pedestrians who walk across the railway tracks at undesignated areas. The bridge was officially opened to the public on September 12, 2013 at a cost of $3,084,707. Discussion Since opening the bridge, the structure has become a hangout and has been plagued with graffiti and vandalism. Shortly after the bridge was opened, one of the glass panels was vandalized at a cost to repair of $30,000. Over time, additional glass panels were broken from both inside and outside the structure; by the spring of 2016 most of the glass panels were damaged. It was determined in the spring of 2016 that the bridge was no longer safe enough to remain open to the public and was subsequently closed on March 23, Temporary repairs were initiated by Operations to allow the bridge to be opened for the start of school September The temporary repairs consist of plywood sheets hung along both sides of the walkway structure to provide an enclosure, reinforced with chain link fencing - not aesthetically pleasing but functional. The Town has engaged WSP/MMM to consult on the permanent solution to this situation. WSP/MMM has a building division with expertise in glazing and security of buildings. A number of alternative ways of replacing the existing glazing have been investigated including:

3 Page 3 of 5 Material Advantage Disadvantage Cost* Acrylic (Plexiglas) Lighter and stronger than glass Easily scratched $222,000 Polycarbonate (Lexan) Unbreakable Easily scratched/yellows $412,000 Laminated Glass Does not scratch/does not yellow/excellent light transmission Can be broken $247,000 Wire Mesh Panels Durable Aesthetics/ open to small objects/light transmission $207,000 *Construction cost estimates only, exclusive of taxes In addition to the various types of alternative materials investigated, the support mechanism for the existing glazing was also investigated. It was determined that the existing panels, which are 2.13m by 2.13m have only horizontal support at the top and bottom of the panels. Glazing would be much more resistant to vandalism if the glazing panels were smaller in size and provided with supplementary vertical and horizontal support. Currently, replacement of the existing panels can only be completed from outside of the structure utilizing specialized equipment. Panel replacement also requires the use of CPR flagging and performing the work when there is no train traffic. The Town has requested that any solution must be capable of replacement from within the structure. This will cut down on the cost and time needed for replacement of any future vandalized panels. Repairs to future damages to the glazing will require cantilevering the glazing enclosure away from the truss structure to create working room for removal and installation of the panels. In addition to review and design consulting, WSP/MMM will be providing the Town with specification and tender documents, along with contract administration, during construction. The tender will include alternative materials to replace the existing tempered glass. In conclusion, the existing glass panels installed on the bridge structure cannot withstand the extensive vandalism they are being subjected to. Glazing material will require a redesign of the support framing and reduction in size to make it less susceptible to vandalism and capable of repair from within the structure. The tender for the redesigned glazing will include the pricing of alternative materials.

4 Page 4 of 5 Increasing security of the bridge structure and surrounding appurtenances would cut down on the frequency of vandalism. The existing structure is equipped with conduit to allow for the installation of security cameras, although cameras were not included in the original construction. We will investigate the possibility of video surveillance. Additional patrols of the area through either our road patrol program or by private security may also help cut down on acts of vandalism. It is recommended that Committee of the Whole receive this report and direct staff to proceed with the redesign, tendering and replacement of the existing glazing used in the CPR pedestrian bridge with laminated glass. Financial Impact The Town has engaged WSP/MMM to provide consulting for this project and a purchase order has been issued for $47,160 (plus taxes). The following table demonstrates the financial impact of glazing replacement with the staff recommendation of laminated glass. Item Cost* Mobilization, insurance, bonding, demobilization $35,000 Labour to remove and dispose of existing glazing and timber hoarding $20,000 Access for installation of glazing or mesh $40,000 CP flagging 15 days $18,000 Contingency $19,000 Glazing replacement $115,000 Total estimated construction $247,000 *Construction cost estimates only, exclusive of taxes The Town has initiated a claim through the insurers for costs associated with vandalism of the glazing materials on the CPR pedestrian bridge. The insurer is currently performing an analysis to determine the claim amount the Town will receive. The amount received will be used to offset the total cost of replacement and installation of the glazing materials with any shortfall funded through the insurance reserve.

5 Page 5 of 5 Respectfully submitted, M. Paul Cripps, P. Eng. Commissioner, Engineering Services For questions, please contact: John Brophy ext Attachments None CAO Approval William Mann, MCIP, RPP, OALA, CSLA, MCIF, RPF Chief Administrative Officer