More planning is needed’: NCC
http://www.yourcarletonplace.com/article/NepeanThisWeek/news/article/15768
City geared to begin geotechnical survey on proposed routes
September 09, 2009
BY JENNIFER MCINTOSH
Bay Coun. Alex Cullen talks to residents of Crystal Beach and Lakeview about the west Transitway extension at an open house held by the city on June 25. Jennifer McIntosh photo
While city staff have pinpointed a route along the north side of the Queensway as the most direct and cost effective of the four options for the west transitway extension from Holly Acres Road to Moodie Drive, project manager Jeffrey Waara said nothing is decided yet.
“We will be doing geotechnical survey work and probably holding another open house before we present the option to council in February,” Waara, who took over the project from Darryl Shurb in July, said.
Waara’s response comes after a letter from Marie Lemay, CEO of the National Capital Commission to Crystal Beach-Lakeview Community Association president Ruth Tremblay. In the letter she told Tremblay that she echoed some of the concerns expressed by the community association and had asked the city to do some more planning before selecting a route.
“The NCC believes that more thorough study of all the proposed options presented is necessary,” Lemay said in the letter. “We have communicated to the City the need to undertake more planning work, and to revisit the selection of the preferred corridor in order to provide a more detailed analysis and comparison of the different options.”
While Lemay was unavailable for comment, Jean Wolf, communications officer for the NCC, said that he could confirm that a request was made to the city to look into the other proposed routes.
“This is certainly something that NCC is looking into,” he said. “And if a significant area of NCC lands is needed for the project, then that will impact the greenbelt master plan that is currently under review.”
Ottawa-West Nepean MP John Baird echoed the NCC’s concerns. “I've talked with Marie Lemay and agree that the city should look at all implications before making a final decision,” he said. “I know the city is looking to improve transit for all users. I'm also very aware of and listening to the concerns of area residents over the proposed routing of this Transitway extension.”
A preliminary study of noise, air quality and ground vibrations have been done along the four routes by Gradient Microclimate Engineering (GmE).
The study took noise level measurements at Corkstown Road, Moodie Drive, Carling Avenue and Holly Acres Road. It found the daytime noise levels varied from 46 to 62 A-weighted decibels (dBA). The nighttime levels are between 40 and 55.
The measurements are consistent with a Ministry of Transportation study done previously. The City of Ottawa has a 60-decibel cap for outdoor living areas.
“We finally convinced the province that we need a noise barrier,” Tremblay said of the north route in an earlier interview. “Now this is just going to add more noise.”
Another corridor alternative included following the property line from Bayshore Shopping Centre, along the highway, and curving south at Corkstown Road. to Moodie Drive. The consultants assessed two additional corridors along the median of the 417 and along the south side of the highway.
The favoured route, along the north side of the 417, may require the cutting of the berm on the west side of Holly Acres Road. The study also shows that the route could cause some damage to the regionally-rare Black Maple.
The route along the south side of the highway would have the least impact on possible heritage or archeological sites, but the study shows it has poor access and a small catchment area. During the June open house, 14 residents pointed to that as their favoured route.
“We still have a lot of design and planning work to do,” Waara said. “We are looking at proposed routes but that doesn’t say whether it will be at grade or below grade.”
Waara said he met with members of the Crystal Beach-Lakeview Community Association and welcomes public input into the route and alignment selection.
In the near future there will be an environmental site assessment, geotechnical survey work and more noise level studies.
“The planning work follows the Ontario transit regulation 231/08,” Waara said.
“We are also working very closely with the NCC and have experience working within their requirements.”
Planners will be making their recommendations to council in February and then having another open house in March or April.
If all goes well, the project could be tendered in August 2010.
“We just want what’s best for our community,” Tremblay said.
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