Review of Need for Grade-SeparationsFive Locations

Statement of Work

Background:

On the morning of September 18, 2013, a VIA rail train and an OC Transpo double-decker bus collided at the Transitway rail crossing just north of the Fallowfield transit station. Six people sustained fatal injuries from the accident.

On December 2, 2015, the Transportation Safety Board made a series of recommendations following its investigation into the accident, one of which is as follows:

TSB Recommendation R15-05: The Board recommends that the City of Ottawa reconsider the need for grade separation at the Woodroffe Avenue, Transitway and Fallowfield Road level crossings.

In the Barrhaven portion of the VIA Rail Smiths Falls Subdivision there exist seven level crossings (Figure 1):

Merivale Road (Mile 1.63) Woodroffe Avenue (Mile 3.28) Southwest Transitway (3.30) Fallowfield Road (Mile 3.88) Greenbank Road (Mile 5.1) Jockvale Road (Mile 5.73) Strandherd Drive (Mile 6.81)

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Figure 1: At-Grade Crossing Locations

Of these seven level crossings, construction is underway at Greenbank Road for a grade separation and along Strandherd Drive design has partially been completed for a grade separation which is identified in the City’s Transportation Master Plan (TMP) and tentatively planned to be constructed between 2020 and 2025. Therefore the focus of this study will be on the remaining five locations, none of which are slated for modifications prior to 2031 as per the TMP roads growth program.

Environmental Assessments have been completed at four of the five locations, the exception being Jockvale Road.

A detailed safety assessment was completed on behalf of VIA Rail Canada and the City of Ottawa in 2014. The report, entitled “Detailed Safety Assessment Report” and dated December 2014, is available and shall serve as a background document for this assignment.

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Scope of Assignment:

Study Budget: $250KDuration of Study: 10 months from award of contract to a consulting engineering firm to undertake the work.

Objectives:

To address the TSB’s recommendation regarding grade separation To review grade separation scenarios at Merivale and Jockvale Roads

Tasks:

(1) Information Review and Analysis

Review and compile information for each of these crossing based on previous City studies including EAs and preliminary design work, National Capital Commission Greenbelt Master Plan, VIA safety audits, the TSB report, and current and future VIA Rail service plans

Where EAs exist summarize what were the identified issues, impacts, benefits and risks associated with underpasses and overpasses at each location. For Jockvale (where no EA exists), make best efforts to identify issues, impacts, benefits and risks for underpass and overpass options.

Research best practices and legislations in North America regarding railway-roadway crossings to understand the triggers used to decide to provide for grade separated crossings. Create a framework for such triggers that could be used here in Ottawa. Identify what are the possible applicable outcomes from current CTA rules and policies.

(2) Traffic Analysis

Using updated City and VIA traffic data, assess the cross-product and occupant product at each location. This is to include a presentation of similarly produced analysis from the past (e.g. last 15 years) and new projections for the future (e.g. next 15 years).

Incorporate as part of this traffic analysis a review component that examines the safety of all who cross at these locations including walking, cycling, transit, automobile and truck

(3) Geotechnical Analysis

Gather available geotechnical information If borehole and geotechnical information is lacking, particularly for the

Jockvale location, identify the need for such. [This additional field work would be done by a separate party outside this study budget.]

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Identify and assess geotechnical issues that may be of concern for the construction of grade-separations at the five locations.

(4) Grade-Separation Analysis

Based on the research, information collected and analysis done for tasks 1, 2 and 3, review and reconfirm the previous recommended grade separation options for the four locations

For the Jockvale location, develop a conceptual grade separation Identify and reconfirm costing estimates (include all planning and design

efforts, property requirements, mitigation, traffic management, detouring requirements, and appropriate contingencies) for these grade crossing projects. The estimates shall allow the authorities to seek funding assistance from senior levels of government.

(5) At-Grade Option

Identify if there are any additional measures that might be done to improve safety in the current condition.

(6) Go Forward Plan

Identify the next steps for the City to move forward with grade-separations, including any additional studies to address legislative requirements.

(7) Documentation/Deliverables

Monthly progress report identifying work performed, next month anticipated work, any issue pending, updated schedule.

Draft and Final Study Reports will be prepared to document the entire study process including the recommended option plans, costing, implementation and staging plan, and commitments to future action, including external approvals known to be required.

The Consultant shall assist the City Project Manager in the preparation of a Staff report and a Microsoft PowerPoint presentation to relevant City Standing Committees at the completion of the study.

The report shall be formatted in accordance with City guidelines and accessibility policies.

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The deliverables for this study include:

Draft and Final Study Report; Project Recommended Plan incorporating concept design drawings of the

preferred design, and other information as identified elsewhere in this document;

Project Cost Estimate Report that will allow authorities to seek funding assistance from senior levels of government for the grade- separated crossings;

Geotechnical Analysis Report; Maps for recommended cycling and pedestrian facilities shall identify tie-in

to existing and/or possible future network connections. Digital version of all maps and plans must be in appropriate format conforming to City CADD and GeoOttawa standards;

The Consultant will be responsible for preparing and distributing the agenda for any meetings in connection with this Study at least two days before the meeting date and prepare and distribute minutes of meetings within one week after the meeting date.

All documentation produced during the course of the Study will be available to the City both in hard copy and digital formats. Digital copies of written material will be in MS Word and pdf format. Plans and maps for incorporation into the Report and Study notices will be provided in jpg and/or pdf format. Conceptual/ functional design drawings will be provided in MicroStation dgn format in accordance with City CADD standards. All final documents, including the Draft/Final Report, will also be provided on CD in pdf format.

The Consultant will provide six hard copies and CD digital versions of draft document, and six hard copies and CD digital versions of Final document.

All relevant background material referenced during the study shall be listed in a bibliography to be included in the final report.

(8) Consultation/Meetings

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The City’s and VIA’s designated Project Managers will provide direction and day-to-day administration and management for the study. Project Management meetings with the Consultant Project Manager/Director will be held on an as required basis.

A Study team comprised of the City, VIA Rail and Consultant Project Managers and key City and Consultant staff will be established at the study outset. Regular Study team meetings will be held to provide direction on issues and monitor the progress of the work. The Consultant shall be responsible for preparing and distributing the Study Team meeting agenda and notes in a timely manner with minutes to all meetings distributed within one week after the respective meeting. At this time no public consultation is envisioned due to the technical nature of the study. It is however anticipated that the Study Team may seek input from the National Capital Commission given its immediate ownership of lands to the study area.

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