queen elizabeth ii & 65 avenue functional planning study · functional planning study study...

Focus Group No. 2:

Date: June 23rd, 2015

Time: 1:30 pm

Place: Leduc Library2 Alexandra ParkLeduc, Alberta

Queen Elizabeth II & 65th Avenue Functional Planning Study

Study AreaQE II/Hwy 2A Interchange

QEII/50th Avenue Interchange

QE II/Airport Road Interchange

Potential Future QE II/65th Avenue Interchange

50th Street Fly-Over

Edmonton International Airport

Leduc

Nisku

2

ObjectivesObjectives

• Review existing conditions, traffic operations and previous planning studies.

• Develop a short- and long-term strategy that:

• achieves the objectives of the Provincial Highway Network;

• can be staged to meet short-term development requirements within Leduc;

• integrates with the ultimate QE II collector-distributor system; and

• will meet the requirements of the ultimate traffic forecast.

• Carry out a comprehensive public involvement process that:

• addresses public and safety interests; and

• serves to build a case for the selection of the recommended solution.

• Develop functional plans, right-of-way request plans and a final report that documents the study findings and recommendations.

This planning study must comply with AT’s policies and standards regarding freeway design standards, interchange spacing and access management, the City of Leduc’s land use and development plans and the Edmonton International Airport’s development and operational plans.

3

Summary of Public InvolvementSummary of Public Involvement

• The public involvement process had began on January 13th 2015 at the Leduc Recreation Center. The purpose of the first focus group and the public open house were to introduce the objectives of this study, the findings from previous AT planning studies, explain the study process, and to identify potential issues.

• Focus Group No. 1 was held in the morning:

• 11 people attended the session;

• Major topics of discussion were: safety, general concerns, traffic congestion, future developments (highway, network planning and Aerotropolis), integration with the future vision for the Leduc area, previous AT planning studies and the need for a 65th Avenue interchange.

• Public Open House No. 1 was held in the afternoon/evening:

• 28 people attended the session;

• Major topics of discussion were: future development and highway network planning, impacts to local businesses and site access, the need for a 65th Avenue interchange, cost, timing and integration with the future vision for the Leduc area.

• A single comment sheets was received: Noise and Traffic concerns associated with 65th

Ave. West.

Study AreaStudy Area

Legend

Property Boundaries Study Area

QU

EE

N E

LIZ

AB

ET

H II

Potential Future QE II/65th Avenue

Interchange3.2 km

1.4 km

1.9 km

3.2 km

65TH AVENUE

50TH AVENUE

AIRPORT ROAD

20TH AVENUE

HIGHWAY 19

Existing Existing Conditions & Conditions & ConstraintsConstraints

• A 6-lane cross-section in the vicinity of 65th Avenue and 4-lane south of 50th

Avenue;

• A relatively flat gradient;

• Access spacing requires improvement.

• Less-than desirable horizontal alignment; and

• A desirable vertical alignment (not exceeding the desirable maximum of 3% for a

130km/h design speed).

The QE II can be characterized by:

3.2 km

1.4 km

1.9 km

3.2 km

R 690m – R 900m(desirable 950m)

R 660m – R 930m(desirable 950m)

NB Crest K36(desirable 3R/4R K50)

SB QE II Ramp approximately 500 m north of 65th Avenue Access management along

the QE II needs improvement to meet freeway standards

(minimum 1.6 km interchange spacing)

65TH AVENUE

50TH AVENUE

AIRPORT ROAD

QU

EE

N E

LIZ

AB

ET

H II

20TH AVENUE

HIGHWAY 19

Existing Existing (2014) (2014) Daily Daily (Two(Two--Way) Way)

Traffic Traffic VolumesVolumes

6

Traffic counts represent two-way Average Annual

Daily Traffic (AADT)

77,5

80

60,3

30

19,44020,530

12,720

40,3

70

30,0

70

36,730 24,650

65TH AVENUE

50TH AVENUE

AIRPORT ROAD

QU

EE

N E

LIZ

AB

ET

H II

3.2 km

1.4 km

1.9 km

3.2 km

Intersection Capacity Analysis Results

East Ramp TerminalCongestion at NB-LT

West Ramp TerminalCongestion at SB-LT

East Ramp Terminal Congestion at EB & WB

Airport Rd / Sparrow Dr Congestion at EB, WB and NB-LT

Merge/Diverge Analysis Results

Diverge LOS D

Merge LOS D

Diverge LOS D

Merge LOS C

Merge LOS D

Diverge LOS C

Diverge LOS C

Merge LOS D

Merge LOS C Diverge LOS E

Merge LOS DDiverge LOS B

Merge LOS D Diverge LOS D

Diverge LOS DMerge LOS D

West Ramp Terminal Congestion at SB-LT & EB-T/RT

Diverge LOS F

AM Peak Hour Result

PM Peak Hour Result

AM and PM Peak Hour Results

Existing Existing Traffic Traffic Operations Operations AnalysisAnalysis

65TH AVENUE

50TH AVENUE

AIRPORT ROAD

QU

EE

N E

LIZ

AB

ET

H II

20TH AVENUE

East Ramp Terminal Congestion at EB-LT & WB

West Ramp Terminal Congestion at EB-T/RT & WB

Merge LOS C

8

0

20,000

40,000

60,000

80,000

100,000

2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014

Year

Tw

o-w

ay

Av

g A

nn

ua

l Da

ily T

raff

ic V

olu

me

s N of 19/625 S of 19/625

S of Airport Rd S of 50th St

S of 50th Ave S of Old 2A

Historical Traffic GrowthHistorical Traffic Growth (2004 to 2013)(2004 to 2013)

• 3.6% over the last five years;

• 4.5% over the last decade;

• The 2010 Provincial 10-year Average Growth for Level 1 Highways was 1.83%;

• As one gets closer to Edmonton’s urban area, the growth rate increases.

An analysis of historical annual traffic along the QE-II indicates:

Towards Edmonton

9

QE II “Approved” Ultimate Stage Concept (Focus Group) - 65th Avenue Interchange

2-Lane SB Realigned Off-Ramp to 50th Street, Leduc

New 2-Lane SB Realigned Bridge over Realigned QE II Corridor

Centre-Line of Runway 12-30

New 50th Street Intersection2 lanes SB & NB

Bridge Provides for 3 WB lanes and 5 EB lanes

Diversion to collector-distributor concept

1.8km to 50th Ave corridor 3.2km to 65th Ave corridor

QE II Realigned from R1200 (e=0.05) to R-2580 (e=0.032)

10

• The City of Leduc’s Land Use Bylaw describes the potential land uses permitted in the vicinity of the potential 65th

Avenue interchange.

• Sub-Area 1 includes Aerotropolis which addresses the Leduc lands abutting the Edmonton International Airport. (Roughly 246

net acres)

• Sub-Area 2 includes the “West Area” community. (Roughly 484 net

acres)

• Sub-Area 3 includes the lands to the west of RR254. (Roughly

1,008 net acres)

Existing and Proposed Land UsesExisting and Proposed Land UsesCity of Leduc (65City of Leduc (65thth West Developments)West Developments)(2,580 Gross Acres / 1,738 net Acres)(2,580 Gross Acres / 1,738 net Acres)

10

Exhibit 7-2: South Development Area

11

Transportation Network Visions Transportation Network Visions (EIA 2010(EIA 2010--2035 Master Plan & City of Leduc 652035 Master Plan & City of Leduc 65thth Avenue Functional Design)Avenue Functional Design)

EIA envisioned an interchange at Grant Macewin Blvd

The City of Leduc 65th Avenue Functional Design envisioned four intersections along 65th Avenue and one interchange at Range Road 255.

There are spacing concerns regarding the location and elevation of EIA’s envisioned Perimeter Road. The roadway is shown to encroach onto the existing QE II lanes.

170th Street (RR 254)

Unnamed

Grant Macewin Blvd

Unnamed

870 m

760 m

1,0

30 m

1,6

00 m

12

Options Considered for EvaluationOptions Considered for Evaluation

• Option 1:

• Option 2

• Option 3

This concept involves the construction of a new 65th

Avenue bridge across the “existing” QE II lanes with a new on-ramp leading to the south.

The concept involves the construction of a new 65th

Avenue bridge in its “ultimate” location over a realigned improved QE II corridor along with connecting ramps to the QE II corridor N & S.

This concept involves initially developing a new 2-lane SB 50th Street bridge. The existing 50th Bridge would revert to NB operation and link to the Airport’s new commercial Perimeter and 65th Ave W. A 65th Avenue interchange would later be developed to handle “freeway” traffic while the 50th Street couplet would accommodate “local” traffic.

13

Option 1: New 65th Avenue Bridge over Option 1: New 65th Avenue Bridge over the existing QE II Corridor the existing QE II Corridor

• This concept would involve the construction of a new 65th Avenue bridge (approximately 104m long, 34m wide) across the existing QE II lanes and a new E/W-to-SB QE II On-ramp.

• At the Ultimate Stage:

• the QE II corridor would be required to be realigned to accommodate the planned core-collector freeway network;

• the 65th Avenue Bridge over the “existing” QE II corridor would be required to be removed; and

• a new 65th Avenue bridge and a new 50th Street bridge would be required to accommodate the realigned QE II corridor and the planned core-collector freeway network.

Option 1 Option 1 –– Connections to 65Connections to 65thth Ave WAve W

Discovery Way Connections to be determined.


Interim StageInterim Stage Ultimate StageUltimate Stage

Option 1 Option 1 –– Interim StageInterim Stage

New E/W-S On-Ramp

New N-E/W Off-Ramp

Intersection 65th

Ave/50th Street

Widening of existing S-E/W

Off-Ramp

Widening of existing E/W-N

On-Ramp

QUEEN ELIZABETH II HWY

65T

HA

VE

NU

E

New 65th Avenue Bridge (approx. 104m long)

Perimeter Road connection

Option 1 Option 1 –– Ultimate Stage:Ultimate Stage: (At time when QE II Realigned)(At time when QE II Realigned)

New 50th Street Bridge

Direct access onto QE II from 65th

Ave W by a double Loop-Ramp

Direct access onto 65th Ave W from QE II by Off-Ramp

New 65th Avenue Bridge in the ULTIMATE location

65TH

AV

EN

UE

REALIGNMENT of the QE II CORRIDOR

Core Lanes Collector Lanes

QE II – Core-Collector Lane Arrangement from north of

65th Ave.


17

Option 2: New 65Option 2: New 65thth Avenue Bridge in its Avenue Bridge in its Ultimate LocationUltimate Location

• The concept would involve the construction of the 65th Avenue bridge (approximately 150m long, 35-to-45 m wide tapered) in its ultimate location along with the connecting ramps to a realigned QE II corridor.

• This will require a temporary realignment of the QE II corridor that (non-core-collector arrangement) would transition onto the existing QE II corridor

• on the north side - in the vicinity of the 50th Street Overpass;

• on the south side - in the vicinity of 59th Avenue.

• This option would serve to delay the need to replace the existing single lane 50th Street bridge.

• At the ultimate stage the concept would see the final realignment of the QE II corridor to accommodate the planned core-collector freeway network. This would require the existing 50th Street bridge to be replaced (as the existing piers conflict with the realigned QE II).

Option 2 Option 2 –– Interim StageInterim Stage

New E/W-S On-Ramp

New N-E/W Off-Ramp

New 65th Avenue Bridge in its ULTIMATE location

(Approx. 150m long span)

TEMPORARY REALIGNMENT of the QE II CORRIDOR Prior to

Core-Collector Lanes being implemented.

65T

HA

VE

NU

E

Intersection 65th

Ave/50th Street

Widening of existing S-E/W

Off-Ramp

Widening of existing E/W-N

On-Ramp

TEMPORARY REALIGNMENT of the

QE II CORRIDOR maintains Existing 50th

Street Bridge


Option 2 Option 2 –– Ultimate StageUltimate Stage

ULTIMATE REALIGNMENT of the QE II CORRIDOR

subsequent to core-collector lanes being developed

Replacement 50th

Street Bridge

Direct access onto Ave W from QE II by Off-Ramp

Direct access onto QE II from 65th Ave W by a

double Loop-Ramp

Old 50th Street Bridge to be removed,

65T

HA

VE

NU

E



65th Ave.

21

Option 3 Option 3 -- New Twinned 50New Twinned 50thth St. BridgeSt. Bridge

• This concept would allow:

• The existing 50th Street overpass bridge to revert to NB operation connecting to Perimeter Road within the Edmonton International Airport lands.

• A new twinned 50th Street structure (approx. 175 m long) would provide for local SB connectivity across the QE II corridor.

• Local connectivity between the 50th Street/65th Ave intersection and the proposed commercial development within the Edmonton International Airport lands.

• The new twinned structure would be constructed in a way to meet both the requirements of the existing QE II lanes as well as the ultimate realignment of the QE II.

• When the core-collector freeway network (Ultimate stage) is required the existing 50th Street QE II Overpass would be required to be removed or replaced.

22

Option 3 Option 3 -- New Twinned 50New Twinned 50thth St. BridgeSt. Bridge

• Concept 3 provides direct access for Leduc residents into the EIA’s planned commercial lands and also serves to link the future 65th

Ave W corridor without the immediate need for a 65th Ave interchange

• The concept provides for later expansion of the QE II to accommodate core-collector lanes.

• The concept integrate with a new 65th Ave interchange structure that would be constructed over the new QE II realigned corridor to provide freeway access.


Ultimate Location of Perimeter Road Intersection.




Interim Location of Perimeter Road Intersection.

This intersection will have to be removed to make way for the future West Ramp Terminal

Option 3 Option 3 –– Interim Stage:Interim Stage: (Over the existing QE II corridor)(Over the existing QE II corridor)

The existing 50th Street off-ramp would be closed and a

new ramp would connect directly to the west leg of the

65th Avenue/50th Street intersection.

New E/W-N On-Ramp

Two Options for the Perimeter Road connection

New Off-ramp to EIA lands and Leduc

NB bypass lane at the east roundabout

existing 50th Street Bridge provides a single lane NB access

new parallel 2-lane structure provides SB access

(Approx. 175 m length)

New 1-lane roundabout on the east side of the QE II

New 2-lane roundabout

Perimeter Road connects 65th

Avenue W with a T intersection

65T

HA

VE

NU

E

New Off-ramp to 65th Avenue W

Option 3 Option 3 -- Ultimate Stage:Ultimate Stage: (At time when QE II Realigned)(At time when QE II Realigned)

Distance between Perimeter Road and QE II SB off-ramp is approximately 45 m at narrowest point

New E-N loop ramp

New N/E-W ramp

New S-W ramp

New W ramp terminal and E/W-S ramp

NB-thru bypass on the east roundabout will be expanded to two lanes

The existing 50th Street bridge will require removal/replacement

65T

HA

VE

NU

E

REALIGNMENT of the QE II CORRIDOR



65th Ave.

Perimeter Road connects to 65th

Avenue in the interim stage, but is realigned at the ultimate stage to access the Port Alberta lands north of 65th Avenue W

Option ComparisonOption Comparison

27

Comparison : Interim StageComparison : Interim Stage

OPTION 1: New 65th

Ave. Bridge over the existing QE II Corridor

• Does not require the realignment of the QE II Corridor.

• Provides a temporary 65th Avenue Bridge over the QE II corridor which would have to be replaced.

• The 50th Street bridge would remains as it is until the QE II realignment/core-collector lanes would be required.

OPTION 2: New 65th

Avenue Bridge in its Ultimate Location

• Requires a temporary realignment of the QE II Hwy (approx. 2 Km) in advance of the core-collector lanes being implemented.

• Provides the ultimate 65th Avenue Bridge over the QE II corridor in its correct position.

• The 50th Street bridge remains as it is until the final QE II realignment /core-collector lanes would be required.

OPTION 3: New Twinned 50th Street

Bridge

• Does not require the realignment of the QE II corridor.

• Provides for an additional 50th St. local crossing that would connect 65th Avenue E and W.

• A 65th Ave bridge would be a later stage.

• Develops supporting service road network for “local” use and interchange for QE II “freeway” use.

28

Comparison: Ultimate stageComparison: Ultimate stage

OPTION 1: New 65th

Ave. Bridge over the existing QE II Corridor

The realignment of the QE II to the core-collector freeway network requires:

• Remove of the 65th

Avenue bridge

• Construct a new 65th

Avenue bridge in its “ultimate” location

• Replace the existing 50th street bridge is required when the QE II has to be realigned or core-collector lanes are required.

OPTION 2: New 65th

Avenue Bridge in its Ultimate Location

The realignment of the QE II to the core-collector freeway network will require:

• Remove temporary QE II realignment. Replace with the core-collector freeway.

• Replace the existing 50th Street bridge.

• Implement 2-lane Loop On-Ramp at 65th

Interchange when required.

OPTION 3: New Twinned 50th Street Bridge

The realignment of the QE II to the core-collector freeway network requires:

• Construction of a new 65th Avenue bridge in its ultimate position.

• Remove/replace the existing 50th street bridge to accommodate core-collector lanes,

The twinned 50th street bridge built in the interim stage can accommodate the core-collector arrangement.

29

• Collection of Focus Group comment sheets/feedback forms;

• Complete documentation of existing conditions including environment, historical, geotechnical and utilities;

• Undertake benefit-cost analysis comparing the three options at the interim and ultimate stages; and

• Public Open House No. 2 anticipated for September, 2015.

Where do we go from here?Where do we go from here?

Note: This study represents a long-term plan.

No construction is currently scheduled.

30

• For your interest and involvement in the study;

• For your comments, concerns and issues raised; and

• For the opportunity to familiarize you with the mandate and

scope of this project.

Thank you!Thank you!

queen elizabeth ii & 65 avenue functional planning study · functional planning study study...

Documents