CHELSEA RAILS TO TRAILS: LETS BUILD OUR TRAIL! - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

CHELSEA RAILS TO TRAILS:

LET’S BUILD OUR TRAIL!

CHELSEARAILS2TRAILS@GMAIL.COM CHELSEAVOIEVERTE@GMAIL.COM

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Purpose

 Our goal is to inform Supporters and

potential Supporters with

• History of the initiative
• Details of the current proposal by the

Municipality

• Cited advantages and benefits
• Highlights and Details of Studies
• Estimated Costing

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Rails to Trails-History

 Initial Rails to Trails ‘conversation’

started in 1989 but lost momentum…

 H-C-W Steam train began in 1992 and

• perated until 2011
• Interruptions, including in 2008 due to

washout

• Ceased operation in June 2011

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Rails to Trails-History

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2005 Pilot project with Chelsea Nordiq for the creation of multi-use Winter trail in the rail corridor

Rails to Trails-History (2)

 2014

• Chelsea Trails works with GVHS historical

images

• Lease is cancelled with Steam train and

Chelsea takes back responsibility for rail corridor

 2015

• Chelsea Trails proposes 4-season, non-

motorized trail on the corridor

• A Rails to Trails petition gains 4 500+

signatures

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Rails to Trails History (3)

 2015

• Chelsea Council votes to Support the

Vision of a Community Trail as instigated by Chelsea Trails

• Council identifies the need for funding in

the Triennial budget for various studies related to Community Trail

 2016

• Quiet Support and Vocal Opposition

ensues…

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Facts and Proposal

 The Rail Corridor is zoned as a “Public

Utility” (PU)

• The Municipality owns the corridor, including rails,

spikes, ties, switches and land

• As the ‘Stewards’ of the PU, the Municipality is

responsible for maintenance and upkeep of the corridor

 To mitigate landslide and flooding risk,

work to culverts for drainage/contamination MUST be done regardless of Community Trail acceptance

 Community Trail is proposed along the

Municipal railway corridor

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Community Trail-Benefits

• Provides a Safe path, a north-south

connector that links the 9 neighbourhood zones of Chelsea

• Creates an Active for Life community by

giving a non-motorized option away from motor vehicles

• Builds the community by connecting

people of all ages with nature and the environment

• 4-season Active Transportation and

Recreation path

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Community Trail-Other Social Benefits

 Supported by Community for use OF

Community

• Promotes Community interaction
• Provides Neighbourhood linkages
• Creates Independence, Safety and well

being for children and early teens, and Seniors

• Promotes many Health benefits
• Celebration of history and heritage

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Safety on Hwy105

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Community Trail-Safety

• Installing barriers at important

municipal road crossings and stop signs at other road crossings and private roads

• Ensuring the safety and security of

bridges and areas with significant drop offs

• Creating a network of volunteers who

live along the trail for Community stewardship.

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Community Trail- Recommendations

 Recommend signage on all aspects of the trail’s use

includes drawing up a code of ethics for users;

• Non-motorized environment;
• Be mindful of waste, dogs and their litter;
• Noise

 The possibility of installing a public toilet in a suitable

place

 The possibility of parking spaces on municipal land and

application of signage

 The possibility of providing at least one access to the

river for trail users

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Environment

 Green corridor builds community

connection with nature

 Isolating or removing contaminants

eliminates leeching into areas along corridor

 Reduced automotive use and

environmental impact of short distance trips

 Greater appreciation of shoreline

protection and river quality

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Economic

 Build Chelsea’s brand as a physically

active and environmentally connected community

 Community Trail will increase property

values and stimulate economic activity for local businesses

 Opportunity for additional businesses

providing services for trail users

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Feasibility Study Highlights

• Identifies a Level 1 environmental

study must be conducted to establish likely contamination issues and other environmental concerns

• Will determine what additional

environmental studies may be required, including a Level 2 Environmental and Geotechnical studies

• Environmental studies results will

allow more accurate costing of proposed conversion

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Feasibility Study- Estimated Costs

 Zone A- Mill Rd to Morrison Quarry,

17.1km ~$1,750 M

• Ties left in place and covered with membrane

to establish 2.44m stone dust trail

 Zone B- Loretta to Mill Rd, 3.4km

~$1,780 M*

• *Soil stability issues require $565K + $415K

 Zone C-Chelsea Southern limit (Mile Hill)

to Loretta

• Major stability issues, no trail recommended.

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$3.6M-—Who pays?

 Possible funding through Infrastructure

programs

• 50% Federal
• 33% Provincial
• 17% Municipal
• As little as $612K over 20 years.

 One less Latte per year per resident

 Dependent upon timing and meeting

funding windows of opportunity

 Sources of funding include Greenfunds,

Foundations, AT support from Canadian Federation of Municipalities

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As opposed to Gatineau Park users, the Typical Users of CT:

 Community children benefit from Safe

and Active Transportation Also:

 Neighbourhood families with children

for walking, running, bike riding, light commuting

 Neighbourhood runners, commuters,

walkers and dog walkers

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Bike Types

Stone dust trails are conducive to:

 Kids bikes, 12-24” wheels  Hybrid bikes  Mountain bikes  Fat tire bikes-snow bikes  Not road bikes, pelotons or groups of

high speed riders

• Rate of speed too low
• Trail design will determine speed and safety
• Poor traction for narrow tires

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Expected Amount of Usage

 10 years of winter trail use has shown

that there is no comparison with Gatineau Park

 Similar metrics expected with 4-

season Community Trail

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Security

 Studies indicate that converting a rail

corridor reduces crime by increasing ‘Neighbourhood Watch’ and vigiliance

 This is a viewpoint which is shared by

the RMCP and Victoria Police Department (BC)

 Increases accessibility for emergency

vehicles.

• This is based on a study of over 372

implementations

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Property Value

 Studies suggest housing prices

increase when in close proximity to a trail.

• Majority of Sellers and Realtors would list

it as a selling feature

• Average across 700 R2T installations,

Home buyers were willing to pay a $9,000 premium to be located 300 metres closer to the trail

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In Summary

 Community Building within an existing

Municipal property corridor

 Safe alternative to Hwy 105  Active Transportation facility  Health benefits proven for all users

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Quotes of Support

“I'm signing because I have 2 children and would like to see a safer route for my family…I also feel that this trail would connect the community…create a sense of unity. It…would be used and enjoyed by the whole community kids, adults and seniors. Wonderful…!” DG. “Pour nous et notre famille, pour jouer dehors, et circuler en vélo de façon sécuritaire” JML. “I live in Chelsea and know that all of the members of my family would love a multi-purpose trail for commuting and recreation” LD.

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Quotes of Support

“Ce projet sera une belle initiative pour notre environnement, un engagement de toute notre communauté car il permettra à tous de profiter de cette voie ferrée en la transformant en piste marchable et

• cyclable. Donnons l'exemple en appuyant

ce projet pour qu'il se réalise le plus tôt possible.” HL. “This is the single largest positive impact the municipality could have on the quality

• f life for me in Chelsea.” GM.

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What else can YOU do!

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Questions? Need Support? Email to: ChelseaRails2Trails@gmail.co m ChelseaVoieVerte@gmail.com

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