adelaide street / canadian pacific railway (cpr) … · adelaide street / canadian pacific railway...

Adelaide Street / Canadian Pacific Railway

(CPR) Grade Separation

Public Information Centre #2 / Workshop

1

December 14, 2016


December 14, 2016


Grade Separation EA Study

A Tailored Approach to Engagement

2

Please ask questions and

make your opinions known!

Adelaide Street – CPR Grade Separation EA

Study

Mobility and access along and across

corridor

Connections to Adelaide Street

Neighbourhood fabric and character

Innovative urban design

McMahen Park

Technical design

Opportunity for future

redevelopment

Through comments received at the first consultation event and from

various community associations, we have expanded our approach to

public engagement for this study

The expanded public engagement will be designed to address the:

Complex technical features of the study

High level of community interest and involvement

Opportunity for urban design to enhance the neighbourhood

streetscape

This PIC / Workshop has been added to:

Review the input from PIC 1

Review the Preferred Planning Solution

Present the Preferred Alternative Design

Describe the multi-step design process

Actively develop a high quality design through the Workshop

Identify the next steps in the study


December 14, 2016



What Is The Process & Study Schedule?

3

Study Commencement

February 2016

PIC #1

June 2016

PIC #2 / Workshop

December 2016 Study Completion

Spring 2017

Phase 4:

Environmental

Study Report

Phase 3:

Alternative

Design Concepts

for Preferred

Planning Solution

Phase 2:

Alternative

Planning Solution

Phase 1:

Problem and

Opportunity

The City has initiated a Municipal Class EA Process which enables the planning and implementation of municipal

infrastructure projects taking into account the environmental setting, agency and local community interests and unique

project requirements.

30-day Public

Review Period

PIC #3

Early 2017


December 14, 2016



Existing Conditions – Key Issues

4


December 14, 2016



Existing Conditions

5

Needs legend updated


December 14, 2016



Study Background / Context

6

● Adelaide Street / Canadian Pacific

Railway Crossing is confirmed as the

City’s highest priority new rail-road grade

separation candidate site (Civic Works

Committee October, 2013).

● The Smart Moves 2030 Transportation

Master Plan identifies a need for traffic

capacity optimization and transit priority

on this corridor.

● Adelaide Street carries an average of

25,500 vehicles per day and is considered

an Urban Corridor in The London Plan.

● Train crossings occur up to 43 times

throughout the day which leads to road

blockages up to 126 minutes per day (2

out of 24 hours).

● Traffic operations at key intersections -

Oxford Street E. and Queens Avenue,

have the highest incidence of collisions in

the study area.


December 14, 2016



Problems and Opportunities

● Frequent train crossings result in road

being blocked for up to 43 times/day for a

total of about 2 hours affecting vehicles,

transit, cyclists and pedestrians

● Blockages result in traffic delays and causes

cut-through traffic onto local streets

● Implementation of rapid transit on Richmond

Street is expected to cause future increase in

traffic on Adelaide Street

● Excessive delays will increase idling time

and emissions loadings

● Relatively high incidence of collisions at

Oxford Street and Queens Avenue

● Uninterrupted road corridor needed for

emergency planning and response

● Separate rail traffic from vehicles, cyclists and pedestrians on Adelaide Street, improving access and circulation

● Provide improved rail safety

● Develop an innovative design that prioritizes pedestrians and improves the urban environment, while avoiding some of the common drawbacks to over/underpasses

● Preserve and enhance the heritage character of the neighbourhood and McMahen Park

● Create additional public space that complements the area surrounding the new bridge and creates a strong connection from one side to the other for pedestrians and cyclists

● Create opportunities for future redevelop-ment along the corridor, in keeping with The London Plan, that integrates with the new street grade

● Improve the surrounding streetscape and intersections to create a safe, pedestrian-friendly and welcoming public space

7

Problems Opportunities


December 14, 2016



What Approaches Are Being Considered?

Possible Planning

Solutions Description Key Considerations

Does it Address the

Problems and

Opportunities

Do Nothing No capital improvements. Continued operations and maintenance to the road.

- Does not address the problems and opportunities. - Not consistent with City’s long-term transportation network planning.

Intersection Improvements

Improve traffic operations by implementing dedicated turning lanes, new traffic signals, improve signal timing.

- Improves traffic operations at the key intersections which will contribute to improving / optimizing traffic movement.

- Results in some property impacts at intersections. - Does not address the primary problem of frequent blockage of vehicle, transit,

pedestrian, cyclist traffic at the CPR crossing.

Transportation Demand Management (TDM)

Reduce overall demands by shifting to outside the critical periods, and to alternative modes of transportation (transit, walking, cycling).

- Transit is a major strategic planning and policy focus within the City. Significant progress is being made to implementing an innovative transit plan.

- TDM policies in City’s Transportation Master Plan and are being implemented on a city-wide scale.

Already being implemented through other City

programs

Traffic Capacity Improvements

Widen Adelaide Street from 4 to 6 lanes; providing an additional lane in each direction.

- Does not address the primary problem of frequent blockage at the rail crossing. - Results in substantial property impacts throughout corridor, including potential

impact to heritage resources. - Provides opportunity for urban design elements to offset some of the impacts.

Change in Rail Operations

CPR modifies current and long term operations. Any possible planned changes will be carefully considered by the City.

- Requesting changes to CPR operations is outside of the City’s jurisdiction – completely dependent on CPR’s business plan.

- CPR current operations and long term plans will be explored in consultation with CPR to ensure that all planning solutions recognize current and future CPR operations.

- Even if operations change, the rail crossing still poses a blockage and a safety concern for through train movements.

Not likely to fully address problems and opportunities but will be a consideration

in any solution

Partial Grade Separation

Provide a partial grade separation with an overpass (road over rail) or underpass (road under rail) of some lanes (such as transit lanes.)

- Adelaide Street is not an identified rapid transit corridor - A partial separation of mixed use traffic poses significant safety concerns - Retention of at-grade sidewalk crossings losses opportunity to improve pedestrian

safety.

Grade Separation Provide grade separation with an overpass (road over rail) or underpass (road under rail)

- Directly addresses the primary problem. - Results in property impacts, including potential impact to heritage resources. - Provides opportunity for urban design elements to be developed which may

enhance the corridor and continue the revitalization efforts of the community.

8


December 14, 2016



Preferred Approach

9

The City’s preferred planning solution is to implement a

grade separation (underpass or overpass) at the CP

Rail tracks to eliminate the frequent blockage and

resulting traffic delays. Some intersection

improvements will also be considered to assist in

improving traffic operations.

What about changing CP Rail operations?

The Study Team met with CP Rail to gain an understanding of their current

operations and long term plans. CP Rail confirms that they have no intent to

relocate the yard, and cannot eliminate / relocate their current operations.

Although a portion of the operations is determined by market conditions, long

term plans are to maintain the tracks and yard in their current location to service

both local market and the rail line to Windsor/border crossing.

What about Do Nothing?

The Do Nothing alternative does not address the existing issues along the

corridor that affect all user, including local and commuting. These issues are

increasing, and will continue to increase with other infrastructure projects moving

forward (Rapid Transit).


December 14, 2016



Intersection Improvements Being Considered

10

Oxford Street E. Queen Avenue

Extend left-turn

lane storage

Add dedicated

right-turn lane

Add dedicated

left-turn lane

Adela

ide S

treet

Adela

ide S

treet

A traffic analysis was conducted for the Study Area to determine future lane requirements for the year 2036. The intersection improvements being considered are:

Intersection designs will be developed at PIC #3.


December 14, 2016



Grade Separation Design Process

11

Reviewed at

PIC #1 and to

be confirmed

at PIC #2

PIC #2 /

Workshop

PIC # 3 /

Detail Design

• Underpass vs. Overpass

• East / Existing / West

• Road Detour and Related Infrastructure

• Pedestrian Space

• Active Transportation

• Adjacent Land-Use

• Central Avenue

• Pall Mall Street

• McMahen Street

• Artistic Treatments

• Detail Design Elements


December 14, 2016



Step 1. Grade Separation Type

Criteria to Evaluate Grade Separation Types 12

Evaluation

Criteria

Socio-Economic Land Use

Context

Cultural

Environment

Natural

Environment

Transportation

and Technical

Description

Community

input/

considerations

(PIC #1)

Impacts to

properties

(residential and

commercial)

Community

mobility/

connectivity

Impacts to

McMahen Park

Noise

Municipal plans

and policies

Redevelopment

potential

Context-

sensitive design

Park and open

space

Boulevard

treatments

Impacts to

heritage

resources

Consideration of

heritage

conservation

Districts

First Nation

interests

Potential impacts

to existing

natural

environmental

features

including:

vegetation and

wildlife

Impacts to

urban forest tree

canopy

Road geometrics

Network

compatibility and

connectivity

Future

rehabilitation

Impacts to CPR

operations

Stormwater

management

Constructability

and cost


December 14, 2016




What We Heard from PIC #1

Following PIC # 1, 82 Comment Sheets were submitted in hard copy or online. The most common feedback was:

What do you think the issues are on Adelaide

Street right now?

13

Travel delays due to trains

Pedestrian/cycling facilities

Air quality/noise

Oxford Street intersection

Cut-through traffic

Lack of cross-walks

Underpass (road under rail), 67%

Overpass (road over rail), 9%

Not sure yet. Ask me again,

later in the study, 24%

Do you have a preference at this stage for an overpass or underpass?

Technical considerations are:

local street connectivity

transit

movement of people

Design considerations are:

community character

pedestrians and cyclists

McMahen Park

noise/air quality

Urban design elements are:

streetscape

pedestrian promenade

new public space/art

street level redevelopment

Based on public comment sheet responses, the most important:

Look at changing CP operations

A grade separation is needed to alleviate traffic

Need better pedestrian facilities on Adelaide Street

Don’t want an overpass breaking up neighbourhoods

Maintain access from side streets to Adelaide Street

When trains are blocking traffic, lots of cars use side

streets to go around


December 14, 2016




What We Heard from PIC #1 14

These figures note the ‘Dotmocracy’ from PIC 1, where people indicated their most important criteria for evaluating alternatives.

This was utilized in the assessment of the grade separation alternatives.


December 14, 2016




Evaluation of Grade Separation Alternatives 15

Criteria Overpass (road over rail)

Underpass (road under rail)

Socio-Economic Environment

• Impacts approximately 23 properties

• Accesses from McMahen Street, Pall Mall Street, Central Avenue,

and Elias Street will be detoured to alternate routes.

• Would create a visual intrusion to the surrounding community

• Increased traffic noise

• Would likely result in permanent footprint impacts to the park

• Impacts approximately 14 properties

• Access to 4 properties will be closed from Adelaide Street, and

potentially relocated to Central Avenue

• Relatively little visual intrusion to the surrounding community

• Decreased traffic noise from the depressed roadway

• Impedes access to McMahen Park from Adelaide Street

Land Use Context • Impacted properties adjacent to Adelaide Street have potential to

be combined and redeveloped for other uses.

• More difficulty in creating / attracting high quality redevelopment

opportunities adjacent to Overpass

• Some opportunities for decorative treatment but will be limited on

the challenges caused by the scale of the structure

• Opportunities are more limited on and around the Overpass.

• Impacted properties adjacent to Adelaide Street have potential to be

combined and redeveloped for other uses.

• Provides for better visibility of adjacent parcels, creating higher

quality redevelopment opportunities.

• Opportunities for theming and detailing configuration of side slopes

and walls to integrate with existing conditions, public art, and

pedestrian scale features

• Better opportunity to develop boulevard treatments within and

around an Underpass.

Cultural Heritage

• 1 displacement of heritage property; edge impacts to 3 heritage

properties.

• Some disruption to accesses from Adelaide Street, as well as to

local destination spots north of tracks.

• 1 potential displacement of heritage property (mitigation measures to

be reviewed)

• Minimal impacts to Heritage Conservation Districts.

Natural Environment • Study area is within an urban setting. There are no natural

environmental features that would be at risk of direct or indirect

impact. There are no watercourses in the area and all vegetation is

culturally derived / influenced.

• Study area is within an urban setting. There are no natural

environmental features that would be at risk of direct or indirect

impact. There are no watercourses in the area and all vegetation is

culturally derived / influenced.

Transportation and Technical • Opportunity to connect Central Avenue underneath overpass, with

new alignment; and opportunity to connect Elias Street and Central

Avenue

• Enhances emergency services by providing unimpeded route

through Adelaide Street

• Minimal impacts to rail operations during construction

• Overpass would likely be a deterrent for pedestrians and cyclists to

travel on Adelaide Street

• Minimal change is stormwater conveyance or flood conveyance

• $25 – $35 M

• Maintains intersection with Central Avenue with realignment, and

maintains intersection with Elias Street

• Enhances emergency services by providing unimpeded route

through Adelaide Street

• Possible rail diversion and in-place construction under rail traffic

• Significant cost to maintain rail traffic

• Is more attractive to pedestrians and cyclists and potentially provides

enhanced facilities (wider sidewalks etc.)

• Possible pump station or new storm sewer outlet of the Thames

River. Outlet within underpass to be sized for major storm event to

limit ponding within underpass to 300mm depth

• $30 – $40 M

Summary Not Carried Forward Recommended


December 14, 2016




Preferred Grade Separation 16

An Underpass (rail over road) is preferred because:

Has fewer overall property impacts

Relatively little visual intrusion to the surrounding community

Decreased traffic noise from the depressed roadway

Provides more opportunity for a context sensitive design to respect the existing character of the roadway and adjoining neighbourhoods

Maintains intersection with Central Avenue, and maintains intersection with Elias Street

Is more attractive to pedestrians and cyclists and potentially provides enhanced facilities (wider sidewalks etc.)

Preferred by community


December 14, 2016




Sample Underpasses and Treatments 17

Fix Labels – content and consistency


December 14, 2016




Underpass Profile 18

● UD Plan and Profile Images from PIC 1


December 14, 2016




Underpass Rendering 19

Here are three illustrative renderings of what the underpass may look like.

These are general concepts to provide an idea of the scale of the project.

All sidewalk and side treatments are flexible, as will be described in Panels 24-30.

Ground level at Central Avenue looking north

Ground level view looking south

Bird’s eye view looking south


December 14, 2016



Step 2. Alignment Alternatives

Adelaide Street Alignment 20

The road alignment is the horizontal placement of the road. The alignment can remain in its current

location (central) or be shifted (west).

At PIC 1 the Project Team illustrated two alignment alternatives for the underpass.

The Central Alignment is preferred as it:

Minimizes curves in an otherwise straight road

Reduces the overall limits of impact of the underpass

Provides for more opportunity to redevelop adjacent properties

CENTRAL ALIGNMENT (PREFERRED) WEST ALIGNMENT


December 14, 2016




Road Detour 21

A temporary road detour will be required during the construction of the underpass to

maintain traffic along Adelaide Street. An east and west side option were considered.

East Side

● Impacts to 3 commercial

and residential properties

unavoidable with the

introduction of a grade

separation

● Impacts to McMahen Park

and heritage entrance

● Rail operations switch,

located just east of the

road, would need to be

moved

● Potential impact to heritage

property

● Potential additional impacts

to properties north and

south of underpass

The west side option is preferred as it avoids impacts to the CP rail yard and train switches, and McMahen Park.

Properties between Central Avenue and McMahen Street would likely be impacted by the underpass itself due to

the change in road elevation, and limiting the opportunity for access to Adelaide Street.

The impacted properties could be redeveloped as part of the grade separation.

West Option (preferred)

East Option


December 14, 2016




Typical Underpass Construction Process 22

Existing At-Grade Crossing

Build Temporary Detour and

Re-align Municipal Services Construct Underpass Streetscape Design Details

City of Waterloo - Weber Street / Metrolinx

The construction of an underpass is a significant undertaking.

The images below illustrate the typical construction process from a similar rail crossing.


December 14, 2016




Related Infrastructure Alternatives 23

Option 1: Underground Municipal Services/Utilities Corridor

Option 2: Underground Municipal Services/Utilities Corridor

Something to consider: The land above the underground corridor must be kept free of buildings so

that the services/utilities can be accessed if required. This limits the potential redevelopment above

the underground corridor.

These options will be considered in conjunction with the cross-section and redevelopment

options discussed at the PIC and Workshop.

Storm

Water

Sanitary

All of the municipal services (water, sanitary, storm sewer) and utilities (hydro, gas, cable etc.)

located under Adelaide Street will need to be relocated east or west of Adelaide Street.

ADELAIDE STREET


December 14, 2016



Step 3. Cross-Section Alternatives

Pedestrian Space and Side Treatments 24

● A ‘cross-section’ is the view of the road if it was cut across from side to side.

● Adelaide Street will be maintained as a 4-lane road. The ‘fixed’ elements of

the cross-section include two 3.5 m and 4.0 m lanes and 2.5 m buffers.

● All other elements of the cross-section are flexible.

● The flexible elements include the pedestrian space of varying widths

(sidewalk, multi-use trail, promenade, and landscape).

● They also include the side treatments, which is outside of the pedestrian

space, and what people will be walking beside as part of the underpass

structure (retaining wall, grassed slope, step terrace etc.).

These options are illustrated on the following displays.

For those not attending the Workshop, please put a sticker on the Pedestrian

Space and Side Treatment you like!


December 14, 2016




Walks and Side Treatment Options (South Side) 25

West

West East

East

South Option

Pedestrian Space Side Treatments

Side Treatments

Fixed Elements Pedestrian Space Side Treatments

Side Treatments

For those not

attending the

Workshop, please

put a sticker on the

Pedestrian Space

and Side

Treatment you like!

Looking North

East West

There are many

possibilities for the

design of the

underpass,

sidewalks and

edges to achieve

different results.


December 14, 2016




Walks and Side Treatment Options (North Side) 26

West

West East

East

Pedestrian Space Side Treatments

Side Treatments

Fixed Elements Pedestrian Space Side Treatments

Side Treatments

West East

Looking South

North Option

For those not

attending the

Workshop, please

put a sticker on the

Pedestrian Space

and Side

Treatment you like!

There are many

possibilities for the

design of the

underpass,

sidewalks and

edges to achieve

different results.


December 14, 2016




Sidewalk Options 27

For those not attending the

Workshop, please put a sticker

on the Pedestrian Space and Side

Treatment you like!


December 14, 2016




Side Treatments/ Adjacent Land-Use 28


December 14, 2016




Side Treatments / Adjacent Land-Use 29


December 14, 2016




Sample Cross-Section Alternatives 30

A wall on one side takes up minimal

space, reducing impact to the

property above. A slope on the

opposite side opens up views and

creates landscape opportunities.

New buildings can replace walls

and slopes, adding vibrancy to the

street. Terraced planters with a

wide walk create a more

pedestrian-friendly space.

In addition to new

buildings, areas

near the underpass

can have new park

spaces with steps

and ramps

connecting both

levels.


December 14, 2016



Step 4. Side Street Connections

31

The construction of the underpass provides an opportunity to review the existing

connections with Central Avenue, Pall Mall Street, and McMahen Street.

Option to re-align Central Avenue

and reconstruct intersection

Review access from

McMahen Street

Option to cul-de-sac Pall Mall

Street, or re-align to connect

with McMahen Street

Review location of pedestrian crossing.

Potential elevated pedestrian bridge

over Adelaide Street.


December 14, 2016



Step 5. Aesthetic and Theming Opportunities

32

Once the sidewalk and side treatments are confirmed, a variety of aesthetic and theming treatments can be applied. This will be further reviewed at PIC #3 and during detail design.


December 14, 2016



Next Steps…Stay Involved!

33

Next Steps: Review and respond to all public and

agency comments

Prepare Preferred Preliminary Design Concept and present at PIC #3

Review and respond to all public and agency comments provided at PIC #3

Prepare Environmental Study Report (ESR)

Present the ESR to Civic Works Committee and Council

File the ESR for public review (30-day review period)

How to get involved:

For the online comment sheet and PIC materials please visit: www.london.ca/AdelaideEA and https://engage.london.ca/

Request that your name be added to the study mailing list

Provide your feedback by contacting the study team directly using the contact information above

Participate in the next open house in early 2017

Please complete our a comment sheet or send

comments to one of the Project Team contacts:

Thank you! Your involvement is essential to the success of this study.

We welcome your feedback!

Ardian Spahiu, P.Eng.

City of London Project Manager

City of London

300 Dufferin Avenue

London, ON N6A 4L9

Tel: 519-661-2500 ext. 4738

Email: [email protected]

Jay Goldberg, P.Eng.

Consultant Project Coordinator

WSP | MMM

610 Chartwell Road, Suite 300

Oakville, ON Canada L6J 4A5

Tel: 905-823-8500 ext. 1284

Email: [email protected]

Your comments are welcome at any time throughout the project.

The online comment sheet will be available until

January 31, 2017 to allow us to incorporate critical information

into the next stage of the study.

http://www.london.ca/AdelaideEA

https://engage.london.ca/

https://engage.london.ca/

adelaide street / canadian pacific railway (cpr) … · adelaide street / canadian pacific railway...

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