TRANSPORTATION AND ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES Rapid Transit

Transcription

1 S REGION OF WATERLOO TRANSPORTATION AND ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES Rapid Transit TO: Chair Jim Wideman and Members of the Planning and Works Committee DATE: FILE CODE: A02-30/PW SUBJECT: NORTHFIELD DRIVE AT HIGHWAY 85 INTERCHANGE MODIFICATIONS RECOMMENDATION: For information. REPORT: ION, the Region of Waterloo s Rapid Transit service, is moving forward, with construction starting in 2014 and operation beginning in As part of the early ION functional design, the Highway 85 interchanges at Northfield Drive were proposed as full-movement, signalized intersections. Since then, Regional staff have been working with the Ministry of Transportation of Ontario (MTO) to develop a design that will maintain access to/from Highway 85, provide safe and efficient traffic operations, accommodate active transportation and provide efficient RT service in the area. The evaluation was based on the following general considerations: Changes to area traffic patterns Traffic operations and safety at subject and adjacent interchanges LRT operations and safety GRT operations and safety Accommodation of active transportation The design evaluation has resulted in the need for the following modifications on Northfield Drive at the Highway 85 interchanges: The northbound and southbound Highway 85 interchanges at Northfield Drive will become right-in and right-out only The Kumpf Drive/Barta at Northfield Drive intersection will become right-in and right-out only A U-turn will be provided at the intersections of Northfield Drive/Parkside Drive and Northfield Drive/Colby Drive Accommodation of cycling lanes, sidewalks, and pedestrian crossing facilities on Northfield Drive between the rail corridor and Colby Drive are currently being evaluated A Public Information Centre (PIC) to present these modifications has been scheduled as follows: Date: June 27, 2013 (Drop-in from 4 to 8 p.m.) Location: Albert McCormick Community Centre Address: 500 Parkside Drive, Waterloo Letters were sent out to residents and businesses in the adjacent neighbourhoods in the City of Page 1 of 19

2 Waterloo on June 14, 2013 inviting them to participate in the PIC. Newspaper advertisements will also be inserted in the Waterloo Chronicle (June 19, 2013), the Kitchener Post (June 21, 2013) and the Record (June 21, 2013). Road signs advertising the PIC were posted between June 13 and 28, Feedback, opinions and input received at the PIC will be used by staff when they make their final recommendation to Council. The revised design will be reflected in the RT Request for Proposal (RFP). CORPORATE STRATEGIC PLAN: The report supports Focus Area 3.1 of Council s Strategic Focus: Develop an implementation plan for light rail transit including corridor and station area planning. FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS: In June 2011, Council approved the implementation of the RT project, including LRT and abrt, with estimated capital costs of $818 million, in 2014 dollars, with capital funding to be provided by the Province (up to $300 million), the federal government (one third of eligible project costs to a maximum of $265 million) and the Region ($253 million). The RT project and improvements to conventional transit are financed through an annual tax rate increase of 1.5% for a period of 7 years. The costs associated with the Northfield Drive at Highway 85 Interchange Modifications are contained within the DBFOM contract and will be included in that component of the overall project. Costing of this component will not be fully calculated until the RFP closes and the preferred proponent is selected. OTHER DEPARTMENT CONSULTATIONS/CONCURRENCE: Transportation Planning, Planning Housing and Community Services ATTACHMENTS Attachment A Northfield Drive at Highway 85 Interchange Modifications Attachment B Invite Letter Attachment C PIC Presentation Boards Attachment D Public Comment Form PREPARED BY: Danielle Tobey, Planner, Rapid Transit APPROVED BY: Thomas Schmidt, Commissioner, Transportation and Environmental Services Page 2 of 19

3 Colby Drive NB Ramp HWY 85 Bridge SB Ramp Kumpf Drive Rail Corridor Page 3 of 19

4 Refer To: File No: Date: Danielle Tobey D10-40/PCCM June 14, ext Dear Resident/Owner: Re: Public Information Centre Northfield Drive at Highway 85 Interchange Modifications ION, the Region of Waterloo s Rapid Transit service, is moving forward, with construction starting in 2014 and operation beginning in As part of the early ION functional design, the Highway 85 interchanges at Northfield Drive were proposed as full-movement, signalized intersections. Recent refinements to the design, however, have identified the following modifications on Northfield Drive, between Parkside and Colby Drive, at the Highway 85 interchanges: The northbound and southbound Highway 85 interchanges at Northfield Drive will become rightin and right-out only The Kumpf Drive/Barta at Northfield Drive intersection will become right-in and right-out only A U-turn will be provided at the intersections of Northfield Drive/Parkside Drive and Northfield Drive/Colby Drive Accommodation of cycling lanes, sidewalks, and pedestrian crossing facilities on Northfield Drive between the rail corridor and Colby Drive are currently being evaluated A Public Information Centre (PIC) to present these modifications has been scheduled as follows: Date: June 27, 2013 (Drop-in from 4 to 8 p.m.) Location: Albert McCormick Community Centre Address: 500 Parkside Drive, Waterloo If you are unable to attend, but wish to obtain information about the project, please contact the undersigned at ext Yours truly, Danielle Tobey Planner, Rapid Transit Division Page 4 of 19

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