Class EA for Holland Street Reconstruction & Downtown ... · - 5 - Class EA for Holland Street Reconstruction & Downtown Revitalization – Public Information Centre No. 3 The Downtown

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Class EA for Holland Street Reconstruction & Downtown Revitalization – Public Information Centre No. 3

Class EA for Holland Street

Reconstruction & Downtown

Revitalization

Public Information Centre No. 3

November 6 & 13, 2013

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The corridor acts as a gateway to the urban center and downtown core.

Condition of Existing Water, Sanitary, Storm, Asphalt and Sidewalks Infrastructure has deteriorated and needs replacement.

There is a lack of vegetation and visual appeal.

PROJECT BACKGROUND

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Goals and Objectives of Project

Expand sidewalks and plantings including benches, planters;

Enhance traffic flow utilizing turn lanes, signal timing, etc;

Create an attractive and pedestrian friendly downtown;

Maintain adequate supply of on-street parking;

Support the Downtown Revitalization.

King Street - Cobourg Main Street - Newmarket

Innisfil Beach Road - Alcona King Street - Kitchener

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The Study Area was divided into two segments, each having different characteristics and presenting different opportunities to satisfy the

Study objectives.

WESTERN SEGMENT Professor Day Drive to Collings Avenue

DOWNTOWN SEGMENT Collings Avenue to Dissette Street

PROJECT SCOPE

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The Downtown Revitalization Strategy was endorsed in 2011; A Downtown Revitalization Steering (DRS) Committee was appointed to

organize and develop a Conceptual Designs. The DRS committee is made up of members of the business community who will be directly impacted by this project;

An Implementation Work Plan was endorsed in 2012; Public Information Centre (PIC) No. 1 was held on Sept. 20, 2012; Public Information Centre (PIC) No. 2 was held on April 23, 2013; The shortlisted Alternatives, including the Preliminary Preferred Alterative

No. 5 were presented at the PIC No. 2; In response to Public comments received after PIC No. 2, the Downtown

Revitalization Steering Committee endorsed Alternative 3 (Modified), for the Downtown Section, in August 2013;

On Sept 10, 2013 Council requested the Alternative 3 (Modified), be presented back to the Public for further review and comment;

PROJECT BACKGROUND

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PROJECT BACKGROUND

WE ARE AT THIS STAGE OF THE CLASS EA

PROCESS

This Environmental Assessment (EA) study is following the process of Schedule “C” requirements of the Municipal Class EA (MEA, October 2000 as amended in 2007 & 2011).

At present, the study is in Phase 3.

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Subsequent to the PIC No. 2 and extensive involvement of the DRS Committee, Alternative 3 (Modified), for the Downtown section, has been developed with the following highlights: A corridor on both sides of Holland Street for streetscaping features (such as

trees, plantings, benches, etc.); On-street parking spots has been incorporated at pertinent locations, that can

also be incorporated with the boulevard area for special events; Accommodates the existing and future (2026) traffic projections through the

downtown (assumes the 5th Line/Hwy 400 Interchange, South East Arterial Road (SEAR), South West Arterial Road (SWAR) and the urbanization of the 8th Line between Professor Day Dr. & Barrie St);

Designated left turn left lanes at key intersections to improve the flow of traffic;

Optimization of the existing parking lots to maximize their capacity; Reduction of the posted speed limit, within the Downtown Section, to 40

km/h;

Overview of Downtown Section - Alternative 3 (Modified)

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The DRS Committee endorsed the proposed Plans at the Aug. 14, 2013 meeting subject to following adjustments, which are now incorporated into the Plan: Additional on-street parking spots being provided on the north side of

Holland Street; Maintaining a pedestrian buffer by having on-street parking spots on the

east and west sides of Simcoe Street, south of Holland Street; The possibility of maintaining the south bound “Go-Bus Stop” on the

west side of Barrie Street.

In addition to the aforementioned, the following adjustments were also made: The signalization of Holland Street & Holland Court intersection, plus a

west bound left turn lane from Holland Street onto Holland Court to accommodate the traffic to the proposed Medical Centre;

Overview of Downtown Section - Alternative 3 (Modified)

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Can the existing and future (2026) Traffic volumes be accommodated within the proposed alternative: With the on-street parking and the lack of proper left turn lanes the

existing street actually functions as a two lane street, not a four lane street;

An important part of accommodating the future (2026) traffic volumes is the construction of the 5th Line/Hwy 400 Interchange, South East Arterial Road (SEAR), South West Arterial Road (SWAR) and the urbanization of the 8th Line between Professor Day Dr. & Barrie St;

Detailed traffic modelling confirms that with the construction of the aforementioned roads and with the proposed lane configurations and improvements to traffic flow through the creation of proper left turn lanes on Holland Street, the existing and future (2026) traffic volumes can be accommodated;

Frequently Asked Questions

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Why is a Roundabout being proposed at the intersection of John Street and Barrie Street: The intersection of John Street and Barrie Street has

had a higher than average number of accidents and therefore improvements are needed;

Roundabouts have been shown to reduce fatal and injury accidents as much as 75%, which is attributed to slower speeds and reduced number of conflict points (see attached diagrams).

Modifications have also been made to the proposed concept for the Roundabout, since PIC No. 2 to eliminate conflicts with the entrances to the adjacent properties;

Traffic modelling confirms that the queue lengths on Barrie Street will not interfere with the safe operation of the proposed roundabout.

Frequently Asked Questions (Cont.)

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Will there still be sufficient parking to visit the Businesses in the Downtown Core? Based upon the Downtown Parking Study prepared by iTRANS Consulting

in Dec. 2009: There is a total of 823 parking spaces within the downtown (353 public parking

spaces and 470 private parking spaces). Approximately 21 % of the overall parking supply is accommodated by on-street parking;

The Existing 2008 Peak Parking Utilization occurred on a weekday between 3pm and 4pm with approximately 48% of the available parking being utilized;

The future 2018 Peak Parking Utilization will be approximately 73% of the parking being utilized and within the 85% optimum utilization guideline;

The study concluded that the area has an abundant amount of parking capacity available during both peak weekday and Saturday parking periods;

Since the last PIC in April 2013, areas for on-street parking have been incorporated into the latest proposal for the Downtown Section;

Frequently Asked Questions (Cont.)

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Existing & Future Traffic Analysis – Needs Assessment

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Renderings showing Potential Downtown Improvements

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Renderings showing Potential Downtown Improvements

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Downtown Section - Alternative 3 (Modified) Cross-Sections

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Downtown Section - Alternative 3 (Modified) Collings Avenue to 100m East of Barrie Street

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Downtown Section - Alternative 3 (Modified) 100m East of Barrie Street to Dissette Street

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Western Section - Alternative 5 Professor Day Drive to Collings Avenue

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The Project Team will review and consider all comments received from the Public;

Council will be briefed on the results of the Public Meetings;

Subject to Council approval to file the ESR Class EA, the formal 30 day Public comment period will follow the publication of the Notice of Completion;

After the satisfactory completion of the EA the Town will move forward with detailed design and construction subject to all necessary approvals and funding.

SUMMARY & NEXT STEPS

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Your interest and participation in this process is very much appreciated. Please provide your comments on the proposed concepts to one of the

individuals listed below before Mon; Nov. 18, 2013. Mr. David Latarius, C. Tech., rcsi Mr. Joe Mullan, P. Eng. Senior Engineering Technologist (Capital Projects) President & CEO Town of Bradford West Gwillimbury Ainley Group 305 Barrie Street, Unit 2, PO Box 419 550 Welham Road Bradford, ON L3Z 2A9 Barrie, ON L4N 8Z7 Tel: (905) 778-2055, Ext. 2106 Tel: (705) 726-3371 Fax: (905) 778-2070 Fax: (705) 726-4391 Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected]

Thank You for Attending

Documents

Class EA for Holland Street Reconstruction & Downtown ... · - 5 - Class EA for Holland Street Reconstruction & Downtown Revitalization – Public Information Centre No. 3 The Downtown