WELCOME QEW Credit River Bridge Detail Design Assignment from Mississauga Road to Hurontario Street Public Information Centre Round #1 October 2017 Please Sign In
PURPOSE OF THIS MEETING The Ontario Ministry of Transportation (MTO) has retained Morrison Hershfield to complete the Detail Design for the QEW from west of Mississauga Road to west of Hurontario Street, including designing a bridge to the north of the existing QEW Credit River Bridge and rehabilitation of the existing QEW Credit River Bridge. The purpose of this Public Information Centre is to present: Detail Design plans. Modifications made since the Class Environmental Assessment was completed. An overview of environmental conditions and constraints. The proposed measures that will mitigate environmental effects. The City of Mississauga Active Transportation Crossing Project. Next steps. You are encouraged to comment on this project by speaking with a member of the Project Team in attendance, and by submitting comment sheets. Members of the Public may also request to add their name and contact information to the mailing list to receive all future project communications. Des exemplaires des panneaux en français sont disponibles sur demande.
STUDY BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE This Detail Design assignment is building on the recommendations made during the 2013 Preliminary Design and Class Environmental Assessment (Class EA) Study. That study included extensive consultation with the local community. The 2013 Class EA study generated and evaluated various design alternatives involving three components of the QEW within the study area: QEW Credit River bridge alternatives. Alignment alternatives. Interchange alternatives at Mississauga Rd. The evaluation resulted in the selection of a technically preferred alternative that is the basis for this current Detail Design undertaking. The purpose of this Detail Design assignment is to finalize the design, develop strategies to reduce environmental impacts and integrate the project into the local surroundings. This study is following the approved planning process for a Group B project under the MTO Class Environmental Assessment for Provincial Transportation Facilities, 2000 (Class EA).
DESIGN REFINEMENTS During the 2013 Class EA study, approval was sought to rehabilitate the existing QEW Credit River Bridge, build a new bridge to the north side of the existing bridge, improve the Mississauga Road interchange, and other changes to road alignment, lighting, noise walls, drainage and other minor works. As part of the Detail Design process, the Preliminary Design was reviewed and the following refinements are being considered: Design Refinement #1 revisions to the QEW horizontal alignment on the approach to Hurontario Street to better accommodate utility relocations: Slight northerly realignment of the QEW west of Lynchmere Avenue Slight southerly realignment of the QEW east of Lynchmere Avenue Relocation of 100m of noise wall on the south side of the QEW. No additional private property required. Design Refinement #2 refinements to the Mississauga Road Interchange ramps to improve safety and operations Minor refinements to on-ramp from South Sheridan Way and Mississauga Road Northbound to QEW Eastbound. Minor refinement to the on-ramp from Mississauga Road Southbound to QEW Eastbound. Minor refinement to the off-ramp from QEW Westbound to Mississauga Road. No additional property required. Design Refinement #3 refinement to lighting east of the Credit River to improve control of light trespass. EA recommendation was to install the high mast light poles in the median, however, upon further review, proper illumination could not be maintained in all stages of construction if the lights were situated there. Refinement is to place the conventional light poles along the north and south shoulders east of the Credit River. With the proposed placement of poles and with proper orientation of luminaires on the poles, the light trespass can be better controlled (see Lighting board). The following display outline the proposed refinements and provide that rationale for the refinements.
DESIGN REFINEMENTS Design Refinement #1 Engineering rationale: many utilities to the north of the highway have to be relocated. A slight shift of the QEW reduces encroachment to the north at the most constrained point and allows more space to accommodate all the utilities. Significance of the change: - Minor - This proposed realignment will not require any additional property. Approximately 100 m of noise wall will need to be relocated on the south side of the eastbound lanes and will match the existing noise wall height. The noise study undertaken as part of the Class EA did not identify any significant changes in sound at this location. The minor relocation of the noise wall will not change this conclusion. Design Refinement #2 Engineering rationale: Minor refinements to on- and off-ramps to improve safety and operations. Significance of the change: - Minor - no additional property required, no ecological features impacted and no significant change in location of ramps (all within 7-9 m of the original design). Design Refinement #3 Engineering rationale: EA recommendation was to install high mast light poles in the median, however, under further review, proper illumination could not be provided in all stages. Refinement is to use conventional lighting on both sides of the highway. Significance of the change: - Minor - Due to the close proximity of homes south of the eastbound lanes, the high mast lights will be replaced with conventional lights. The lights are shorter (12 m vs 25 m) and can reduce light spilling out of MTO property (see Lighting board)
LIGHTING West of the Credit River The QEW west of the Credit River will be illuminated by High Mast Lighting (HML) mainly within the median. Additional poles will be placed within the Mississauga Road interchange area. To control light spill, the LED fixtures will be oriented to throw light towards the QEW. They will be designed to have light patterns which will reduce light spill outside of MTO property. East of the Credit River The QEW east of the Credit River will be illuminated by conventional lighting. For heritage reasons conventional lights with heritage ER brackets will be used on the north and south edges of the bridge. As explained on the previous boards, median mounted HML could not provide proper illumination in all stages. Therefore conventional lights will be used and installed on the north and south side of the highway. These lights are shorter than HML poles and direct light towards the highway.
PRE-CONSTRUCTION STAGING
CONSTRUCTION STAGING
CONSTRUCTION STAGING
CONSTRUCTION STAGING
QEW CREDIT RIVER BRIDGE - HERITAGE Originally built in 1934, the QEW Credit River Bridge is considered a Provincially Significant Heritage Bridge. The bridge was one of the first major bridges constructed for the future QEW, and its design set the standard for major bridges constructed along the corridor during the 1930 s and 1940 s. Although widened in 1960, a thoughtful and intentional design approach was taken, wherein original engineering principles associated with the open-spandrel concrete arch design were conserved. The bridge structure is now a landmark, and is an integral part of the Credit River Valley cultural heritage landscape. A Cultural Heritage Evaluation Report was completed in 2008. evaluation concluded that the bridge is provincially significant. That The specific heritage attributes of the bridge include: Original location spanning the Credit River Its 1934 and 1960 construction, including its size, massing, elements, features, and material Seven-span, open-spandrel, reinforced-concrete arch construction Modern steel light standards with the letters ER incorporated into the design Barriers and railings on north and south side of the bridge deck Arches, abutments, piers Embankments and watercourse Views from the bridge deck looking south at the Credit River Valley Views to the bridge and from within Credit River Valley, looking south and north
HERITAGE ATTRIBUTES Barrier and Railing Design Decorative Features ER Lighting Spandrel Column Arch Design Pier Column Credit River Valley
REHABILITATION OF EXISTING STRUCTURE One of the major components of the project is rehabilitation of the existing QEW Credit River Heritage Bridge. A Strategic Conservation Plan is being developed for the QEW Credit River Bridge. Under the Ontario Heritage Act, Strategic Conservation Plans (SCPs) are required for Provincial Heritage Properties of Provincial Significance to assist in the management of the heritage attributes and features. The following summarizes the major design elements to be preserved: All arches will be maintained. All spandrel columns on the arches will be repaired or replaced and designed to maintain the appearance of the existing columns. Barriers will be designed to match 1960 widening design with current safety standards. A clear noise wall will be provided on the south-side of the bridge to maintain the existing views. ER decorative lighting will be maintained. Other elements of the rehabilitation include: Replacement of the entire deck. Reduction of the number of expansion joints which should help reduce sound levels and improve bridge longevity. Repair of the bridge piers, abutments and footings. Barriers will be designed to match 1960 design with current safety standards ER lighting to be maintained Spandrel columns to be repaired or replaced Arches to be maintained
REHABILITATION OF THE EXISTING STRUCTURE
The new bridge will be designed to be sensitive of, and minimize the impacts to, the heritage attributes of the existing QEW Credit River Bridge. During the 2013 Class EA Study, the following two types of material were proposed for the new bridge: Concrete. Steel. Additional analysis, completed during this Detail Design assignment, resulted in the recommendation that a 3-span concrete bridge be carried forward. The new bridge will include the following design features to complement the existing bridge and maintain the appearance and aesthetics of the QEW Credit River crossing: DESIGN OF NEW STRUCTURE A clear noise wall will be installed on the north side of the new structure and not obscure the ER decorative lighting. ER decorative lighting will be provided to match existing. The piers will be designed to visually blend in with the vertical components of the existing bridge. Views to the heritage arches of the existing bridge will be maximized, where possible.
DESIGN OF THE NEW STRUCTURE
ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS
ARCHAEOLOGICAL WORK NEAR THE CREDIT RIVER The Credit River has been used for thousands of years by Indigenous People and subsequently European Settlers. The Hogsback Archaeological Site was first identified in the 1930 s by the Royal Ontario Museum (ROM). It is located on the north side of the QEW west of Stavebank Drive. During those investigations, multiple burials were found. The site was first registered with the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport (MTCS) in 1971. From 2010-2012, MTO undertook a Stage 1-3 Archaeological Assessment of the QEW between Hurontario Street and Mississauga Road. Artifacts and other cultural material were identified in the area around the Hogsback Site. In addition to numerous finds from European Settlers, the archaeologists found a significant amount of pre-contact indigenous artifacts dating back to the Middle Woodland Period (400BC AD 600). As a result of these finds, MTO has been conducting additional Stage 3 assessment and Stage 4 excavation of the site since 2016. The site was fully hand-excavated in order to identify and record all cultural features and determine appropriate mitigation. This excavation was completed in early autumn 2017. Given the significance of the site, MTO employed archaeological site monitors from the First Nation communities who have a cultural connection to this site. These included the Mississauga s of the New Credit, Six Nations of the Grand River, the Haudenosaunee Chiefs Confederacy Council via their representatives the Haudenosaunee Development Institute, and the Huron-Wendat.
MITIGATION MEASURES Fish and Fish Habitat Pier locations outside the watercourse. Any in-water (or near-water) works will be conducted during appropriate timing windows (July 1 - March 31 of any year). Shoreline areas to be stabilized following disturbance to prevent erosion. Terrestrial Habitat Minimize vegetation removal. Undertake work in accordance with Migratory Birds Convention Act, 1994 and/or Regulations under that Act. Ensure appropriate removal and disposal of all construction-related debris following construction. Noise & Vibration Replace the existing noise walls that are impacted by the proposed works. 5 m high transparent noise walls will be placed on the north side of the new bridge and the south side of the existing Credit River Bridge. During construction of the improvements, the contractor will be required to abide by the Contract Operational Constraints and municipal noise control bylaws. Preconstruction vibration analysis will be completed on nearby residences. Air Quality Standard best practices to reduce air quality impacts, such as minimized equipment idling, covered loads and stockpiles, and regular dust suppression. Archaeology & Heritage Architectural elements of the new bridge have been developed to be sympathetic to the heritage values of the existing Credit River Bridge. Work will immediately cease if archaeological resources are unexpectedly uncovered during construction and the appropriate authorities will be notified. Environmental Monitoring Regular environmental monitoring will be completed to ensure environmental protection/mitigation measures are performing as intended. A more complete list of the project s environmental protection and mitigation measures will be contained in the Design and Construction Report, which will be available for a 30-day public comment period. Further mitigation measures will also be developed prior to construction and in consultation with appropriate agencies.
NOISE As part of 2013 Class Environmental Assessment (EA), MTO completed an extensive noise assessment. The noise assessment determined that with the existing noise wall locations, the change in noise would be minor. However, placing a noise wall on the Credit River Bridge would result in a 5dBa reduction at all receivers along both sides of the Credit River valley north and south of the bridge. In addition, the sound environment will benefit from the reduction in the number of expansion joints on the existing Credit River Bridge. As part of this project, the double expansion joints will be converted to single joints which will significantly reduce the bridge noise. The location of existing, new and relocated noise walls are noted on the Design Plan presented on previous boards. The below photos show how these walls could look. Transparent noise barriers have been recommended on the existing and new bridge. An example of a transparent noise wall is shown below.
COMMUNITY WORKSHOP Two Community Workshops will be held for the project. A date for the first workshop will be scheduled after the first Public Information Centre. The objectives of the workshops are to engage a group of community members in more focused discussions to: Act as a sounding board a forum for discussing options and sharing ideas regarding the project. Provide input on the direction and recommendations of the project from a community perspective. Obtain a broader sense of community reactions and concerns, and how these might be addressed. If you would like to participate in the workshops please sign up using the comment sheets provided. You can also sign up to participate through the Contact Us form on the study website (www.qewcreditriver.ca). Information on time and location will be provided in the coming days to those that have signed up.
WHAT S NEXT 1. Host Community Workshops (see Community Workshop board for details). 2. Refine the recommended plan and staging plans based on feedback received at PIC #1 and the Community Workshops. 3. Host Public Information Centre #2 (Fall 2018). 4. Refine and finalize the recommended plan, staging plans, mitigations measures based on feedback. 5. Acquire any necessary approvals and permits. 6. Prepare and file a Design and Construction Report for a 30-day public review period.