PIC2 Materials

Western Road/Wharncliffe Road North Widening

from

Platts Lane to Oxford Street

Municipal Class Environmental Assessment

Public Information Centre #2

April 1, 2015

PHASE 1

PHASE 5 : Implementation

• Project design and construction

PHASE 4

PHASE 4: Environmental Study Report

• Prepare and File Environmental Study Report (Schedule C projects)

PHASE 3

PHASE 2

PHASE 2 : Alternative Solutions

• Prepare environmental inventory

• Identify & evaluate Alternative Solutions

• Establish the Preferred Solution

• Prepared and File the Project File (Schedule B projects)

PHASE 5

This study will follow the requirements of the

Municipal Class Environmental Assessment

process as defined by the Municipal Engineers

Association (as amended in 2011).

Schedule B projects include Phases 1, 2 & 5.

Schedule C projects include Phases 1 – 5.

This project is proceeding as a Schedule C

project (Phases 1-4).

We are here.

1. Study Process

PHASE 1 : Problem/Opportunity

• Identify & describe the problem/opportunity.

PHASE 3: Alternative Design Concepts for Preferred Solution

• Identify and evaluate Alternative Design Concepts

• Identify environmental effects

• Select the Preferred Design

• Western Road/Wharncliffe Road North is a major north/south two-lane arterial road carrying approximately 20,000

vehicles per day.

• Existing capacity issues exist along the study corridor. The current rated capacity is Level of Service (LOS) F. Critical

failure of a system occurs at LOS F. Acceptable operations are generally considered to be LOS C or better.

• The need for widening of the corridor from Platts Lane to Oxford Street is identified in the City’s Official Plan, the

Long-term Transportation Corridor Protection Study, and the 2030 Transportation Master Plan (TMP).

• The TMP has also identified improvements to Oxford Street to accommodate turn lanes onto Wharncliffe Road North

and to accommodate transit priority measures at the intersection of Wharncliffe Road North and Oxford Street.

CP Rail

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2. Study Context

• PIC #1 presented a number of alternative planning

solutions and identified the Preferred Solution as a

combination of Alternative 2: Expanded Pedestrian,

Bicycle and Rapid Transit Use and Alternative 5:

Arterial Road Widening.

• In isolation, Alternative 2 does not address the

problem. However, this alternative, in conjunction with

Alternative 5 will provide a multi-modal approach to

address the problem.

• Alternative 5 involves the reconstruction of Western

Road/Wharncliffe Road North to a four-lane cross

section, from Platts Lane to Oxford Street.

3. Results of PIC #1

• To provide interested and/or potentially affected

stakeholders with an opportunity to participate in the

planning and decision making process for this

Municipal Class EA.

• To present and receive public input on:

• Design options for Western Road/Wharncliffe

Road North;

• Design options for the Essex Street, Western

Road, Wharncliffe Road North, and Beaufort

Street intersection;

• Design options for the CP Rail subway;

• Design options for the Oxford Street/Wharncliffe

Road intersection;

• Preliminary preferred design alternative; and

• Next steps in the process.

4. Purpose of PIC #2

As part of the overall solution for the Western

Road/Wharncliffe Road North corridor, this study

also had consideration for the following:

1. Essex Street, Wharncliffe Road North,

Western Road, Beaufort Street intersection

improvements;

2. CP Rail subway widening; and

3. Single & double left turn lanes for south and

northbound Wharncliffe Road.

Alterative solutions were considered for each of

these components. The pre-screening process

allowed for each group of alternatives to be

assessed, and a preferred alternative was

selected to be incorporated in to the overall

preferred design alternative to solve the problem

statement.

CP Rail

1

2

3

5. Pre-screening

Three (3) alternatives were considered for implementation at the Essex Street/Wharncliffe Road North/Western

Road intersection:

Alternative 1:

Roundabout

Key Points:

• Reduces vehicle speeds.

• Fewer collisions.

• Difficult configuration for

higher pedestrian and transit

use, and lower side street

traffic volumes.

• Large footprint results in

significant property impacts.

Alternative 2:

Signalized Intersection

Alternative 3:

No Changes

Key Points:

• Connecting side street and

turning traffic volumes do

not warrant a signalized

intersection at this location.

Key Points:

• Existing pedestrian crossing

signal maintained, but relocated

to north side of Beaufort Street.

• Bus bay to be located between

Beaufort Street and Wharnclife

Road North.

• Preferred

6. Pre-screening: Intersection Improvements

Alternative 1: Permanent track diversion

• Permanent 30.0m span constructed on a new track alignment

south of the existing track.

• Existing bridge would be removed.

• No road closure expected.

Alternative 2: Temporary track diversion

• Temporary embankment and track diversion constructed south of

the existing track.

• Complete road closure required.

• Permanent 30.0m span constructed on existing track alignment.


Alternative 3: Temporary track diversion and temporary bridge

• Temporary bridge and track diversion constructed south of the

existing track.



• Shorter duration road closure expected.

• Preferred

Alternative 4: “Top Down” rapid bridge construction


• Existing bridge and abutments would be removed.

• Temporary embankments required.

• No road closure expected.

7. Pre-screening: CP Rail Diversion

Four (4) alternatives were considered to widen the CP Rail subway on Wharncliffe Road North at Saunby Street:

Preferred Alternative - Temporary Diversion and Bridge

• A temporary structure south of the existing structure will be

used to divert train traffic until construction of the new

structure is completed.

• The detour length for the track will be approximately 600m,

from Gunn Street to west of Wharncliffe Road North.

• Construction of the new bridge will take approximately

three (3) years, including track diversion/ temporary

bridge construction, new bridge construction, and track

diversion removal.

• Two (2) lanes of vehicular traffic will remain open

during rail construction. Temporary, shorter duration

road closures will be necessary. Duration to be

confirmed later.

Existing Track Alignment

Proposed Temporary

Track Diversion

Legend

8. Preferred: CP Rail Diversion

Alternative 1: Structural Steel (Preferred)

• A new CP Rail overhead structure will be

constructed to accommodate the proposed wider

Wharncliffe Road North right-of-way.

• The preferred crossing is a single span steel

plate girder structure with a span length of 30 m.

• The bridge will consist of two steel plate girders

supported on reinforced concrete abutments and

founded on spread footings.

Three (3) alternatives were considered to widen the CP Rail subway on Wharncliffe Road North at Saunby Street:

Alternative 1: Structural Steel

Alternative 2: Reinforced Concrete

Alternative 3: Precast Pre-stressed Concrete Girders

9. Pre-screening: CP Rail Structure

Sidewalk

Sidewalk under CP Structure

Diversion Track

Replacement Track/Structure

Existing Right-of-Way

Conceptual 36m Right-of-Way

Existing Building

Legend

Single Left Turn Lane

• Improves existing level of service

• Narrower road cross section

• Reduced impacts to properties

• Allows for greater flexibility in cross section

elements

• Preferred

Double Left Turn Lane

• Increased road cross section width due to

additional lane and median requirements

• Significant property and building impacts

• Requires dedicated signal cycle for turning

traffic movements

• Pedestrian movements are more difficult due

to widened roads

10. Pre-screening: Turning Lanes

Standard cross section

(36.0m)

centred along existing

right-of-way

Non-standard cross section

(26.0m – 36.0m)

centred along existing

right-of-way

Alternative 1

Alternative 2

Alternative 3

Reduced cross section

(25.9m – 34.0m)

centreline shifted

Alternative Design Considerations:

• Accommodates pre-screened alternatives/design components

• Impacts to adjacent properties

• Impacts to natural features

• Potential future land use changes & densities within the study area

• Active transportation initiatives

11. Alternative Design Concepts – Phase 3

Key Features

• 36.0m standard arterial road cross section

• Road centred along existing right-of-way

• 3.5m travelled lanes (4)

• 4.0m continuous left turn lane

• 1.5m bicycle lanes (2)

• 6.0m boulevards (2)

• 1.5m sidewalks (2)

Advantages

• Standardized cross-section, with larger corridor to accommodate

servicing and utilities

• Increased opportunity to maintain open lanes of traffic during

construction due to wider working corridor

• Wider boulevards increase opportunity for enhanced streetscaping

Disadvantages

• Significant impacts to existing residential and commercial buildings

• Significant property acquisition required

• Longer span CPR bridge required

• Increased road and bridge costs

• Increased impact on slope along north side of Western Road

• Highest overall project cost

12. Alternative 1

Key Features

• 26.0m – 36.0m non-standard cross section

• Road centred along the existing ROW

• 3.5m travelled lanes (4)

• 4.0 - 3.5m non-continuous left turn lane

• 2.0m non-continuous median

• 1.5m – 1.2m bicycle lanes (2)

• Boulevard width varies (2)

• 1.8m – 2.4m sidewalks (2)

Advantages

• Less impact to existing residential and commercial

properties

• Less property acquisition required

• Shorter span CPR bridge required

• Lower overall cost than Alternative 1

Disadvantages

• Narrower boulevards reduce opportunity for

streetscaping

• Reduced boulevard widths restrict utility and

servicing corridor locations

• Moderate encroachment along north limits between

Hollywood Crescent and Platts Lane, requiring fill on

top of existing slope

13. Alternative 2

Key Features

• 25.9m – 34.0m non-standard cross section

• Road centreline shifting as necessary

• 3.3m - 3.5m travelled lanes (4)

• 4.0 - 3.5m left turn lane

• 2.0m – 3.0m non-continuous median

• 1.2m bicycle lanes (2)

• Boulevard width varies (2)

• 1.8m – 2.4m sidewalks (2)

Advantages

• Least impact to existing residential and commercial

properties

• Least amount of property acquisition required

• Shorter span CPR bridge required

• Reduced road and bridge costs

• Improves drainage issues on Cedar Avenue

• Minimal encroachment in to sloped area along north

limits between Hollywood Crescent and Platts Lane

• Lower overall cost than Alternatives 1 and 2

Disadvantages

• Narrower boulevards reduce opportunity for

streetscaping

• Reduced boulevard widths restrict utility and

servicing corridor locations

14. Alternative 3 (Preferred)

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CP Rail

1

2

3

4

• 4 lanes

• 2 sidewalks

• 2 bicycle lanes

1

• 4 lanes

• 1 continuous left turn lane

• 2 sidewalks

• 2 bicycle lanes

2

• Temporary CPR track

diversion

• New CPR bridge

3 • Transit priority intersection

• Accommodations for potential

future rapid transit initiatives

4

15. Preferred Design: Alternative 3

Legend

Landscape/Public Art

Opportunity

Parkway Streetscape

Village Streetscape

Urban Streetscape

Potential Streetscape Elements

16. Streetscape Design

http://www.townofcary.org/Departments/fdts/trafficandtransportation/Bicycle_Plan.htm

• Oxford Street was identified in the Transportation

Master Plan (2030) as a Rapid Transit (RT) corridor.

Improvements include road widening from 4 to 6 lanes.

• A concurrent Class EA study is underway to determine

routing for the proposed Rapid Transit system.

• Proposed routing for the RT system will impact the

Wharncliffe Road North/Oxford Street intersection.

• As a result, this Environmental Assessment must have

regard for potential transit priority initiatives. * to be confirmed in the Shift Rapid Transit Municipal Class Environmental

Assessment

Transit Priority Considerations*:

• The Oxford Street/Wharncliffe Road intersection is

considered a ‘transit priority’ intersection, and will

accommodate future rapid transit demands.

• Right turn lanes/queue jump lanes, complete with

transit priority signal adjustments, on eastbound and

westbound Oxford Street approaches would improve

transit operations.

Recommended Rapid Transit Network (TMP 2030)

17. Transit Priority

18. Detour Plan

Recommended Detour Routes • Road closures will require detouring of traffic.

• Traffic to be detoured to alternative arterial roads, including

Richmond Street and Wonderland Road, during any short or longer

term road closures.

• Local residents and businesses will have access at all times.

• Emergency vehicle and pedestrian access will remain available at

all times.

Study Area

Your Input

The information and comments we receive from you will be considered in the selection of

the Preferred Alternative Design.

Please complete a comment sheet and return it by April 17, 2015.

If you would like more information on the Western Road/Wharncliffe Road North Class EA,

please visit the City’s website at:

http://www.london.ca/residents/Environment/EAs/Pages/default.aspx

• Receive comments on

the Preferred Alternative

Design

• Confirm Preferred

Design

• Prepare Environmental

Study Report (ESR)

• Council Approval

• File ESR for 30 day

review period

• Detailed Design

(2015-2016)

• Approvals (2017)

• Rail Diversion and Bridge

Construction (2017-2019)

• Road Construction

(2018-2019)

SPRING 2015 SPRING/SUMMER 2015 BEYOND

19. Next Steps

PIC2 Materials

Documents