EAST DON TRAIL ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT Community Liaison Committee - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

EAST DON TRAIL

ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT

Community Liaison Committee Meeting #3 July 15, 2013 6:30 to 8:30 pm Flemingdon Park Library

1. Welcome 2. Housekeeping and Updates

a) Housekeeping b) CLC Meetings c) Updates

3. Geomorph and Geotechnical Existing Conditions 4. Alternative Methods

a) Problem/Opportunity Statement and Project Objectives b) Alternative Methods

5. Draft Evaluation Criteria 6. Closing

Agenda

East Don Trail Environment Assessment

Housekeeping

East Don Trail Environment Assessment

• 1. Finalize Meeting Notes

– Meeting #1 – Meeting #2

• 2. Access to CLC Materials

– Provided in Dropbox Folder

Update: CLC Meetings

East Don Trail Environment Assessment

Meeting Content Date Status CLC #1 Introduction, issues and challenges April 22 Complete CLC #2 Alternatives to and evaluation June Complete CLC #3 Alternative trail alignments, draft criteria July 15 Today CLC #4 Evaluate alternative trail alignments Aug 12 or 14 To be scheduled CLC #5 Preferred alternative Oct 2013

• Stage 1 Archeological Assessment complete.
• Fluvial geomorphic studies complete.
• Environmental Baseline Report Draft being completed

for project team and Technical Advisory Committee review and will include:

– Physical Environment – Natural/Biological Environment – Cultural Environment – Social-Economic Environment – Technical

Update: Existing Conditions

East Don Trail Environment Assessment

• Alternatives to were presented at CLC Meeting #2 on June

4th .

• CLC was provided an opportunity to provide comments

during and after CLC Meeting.

• Revisions included:

– Functional Value: Capturing multimodal transportation as a benefit – Additions to Social and Cultural Environment evaluation points, and addition of Impact to Public Health

• Preferred alternative to: Provide Multi Use Trail Connection
• Copy of final alternatives to to will be provided to CLC

Members for their reference via Dropbox.

Update: Alternatives To

East Don Trail Environment Assessment

Geomorph and Geotechnical Existing Conditions

East Don Trail Environment Assessment

• Reaches 3, 4, and 5
• Located within Local

Study Area

Stream Systems Understanding – Reach 3

East Don Trail Environment Assessment

Key Features:

• Significant valley wall contacts

throughout reach along outside bend of swooping meanders.

• Channel primarily natural condition with

floodplain access into mature valleyland

• Minimal channel alteration, only local

areas of bank / rip rap protection.

• Sanitary sewer within valley system.
• One location where trail may extend

along top of valley.

Stream Systems Understanding – Reach 4

East Don Trail Environment Assessment

Key Features:

• Wide valley setting with meander

contacts along both slopes;

• Average W:D – 35m:1.5m –

slightly wider than R3;

• Localized areas of erosion / slope

protection;

• Active channel migration and bend

extension where unmitigated;

• Overtopping / floodplain access

under moderate flow conditions.

Key Features:

• Confined valley setting with low

amplitude meanders;

• Average W:D – 30m:2m – slightly

narrower and deeper than R3;

• Recent channel and slope

engineering to facilitate maint. route;

• Channel generally stable

condition;

• Overtopping / floodplain access

under moderate flow conditions.

Stream Systems Understanding – Reach 5

East Don Trail Environment Assessment

7 8

Questions?

Geomorph and Geotechnical Existing Conditions

East Don Trail Environment Assessment

Alternative Methods

East Don Trail Environment Assessment

• Problem/Opportunity Statement
• Project Objectives

Introduction and Identify Problem/opportunity

• Alternatives To
• Provide Multi Use Trail Connection

Existing Conditions Alternatives To and Evaluation

• Alternative Trail Alignments

Alternatives Methods

• Draft Evaluation Criteria

Evaluate Alternatives Methods/Trail Alignments Preferred Alternative Refine Preferred Alternative Environmental Study Report

• Nov. 2012 - May

2013 May - Sept. 2013

• Oct. 2013 - Jan.

2014

• Feb. – June

2014

Today Recap: Process to this point:

Problem/ Opportunity Statement

East Don Trail Environment Assessment

A significant gap in the multi-use trail network exists within the East Don Corridor between Existing East Don Trail (East of Wynford Heights Crescent), Gatineau Corridor Trail (at approximately Bermondsey Rd), and the Don Trail System. The East Don Trail will fill this existing gap in the trail network thus creating a continuous connected trail network.

Project Objectives

East Don Trail Environment Assessment

Connections

• To provide a key connection route linking local and inter-regional trail

systems. Public Safety

• To provide a safe way for a broad spectrum of users to access the valley

system.

• To provide safe off road options (where possible) for cycling and recreational

use.

• To investigate options to accommodate emergency response, City and utility

maintenance vehicles/activities. Natural Environment

• To assist in the management of informal trails by providing a single focused

multi-use trail within the East Don Corridor.

• To be respectful of the natural environment through the alignment, design,

and construction of the trail by aiming to avoid, prevent, or minimize negative impacts.

• To increase access for a range of users to discover and appreciate natural

areas within the City.

Project Objectives

East Don Trail Environment Assessment

Recreation

• To create trail and outdoor recreational opportunities for a variety of users.
• To provide trail and outdoor recreational opportunities for neighboring

communities. Transportation

• To function as a safe travel route to everyday places and amenities.

Supports Other Initiatives

• To coordinate with other planning initiatives in the area allowing for future

integration of the multi-use trail. (e.g. Eglinton Cross-town LRT).

Alternatives To

• These are alternatives to the undertaking and are

functionally different ways of approaching and dealing with the problem or opportunity.

• Preferred alternative to: Provide Multi Use Trail

Connection Alternative Methods

• These are alternative methods of carrying out the

undertaking and are different ways of doing the same activity.

• For the purpose of this project termed: Alternative Trail

Alignments.

Alternatives

East Don Trail Environment Assessment

• Different trail alignment options.
• High level

– details will be addressed as part of the refinement of the preferred alignment. – For example, will determine if we need to cross the river but will not assess bridge length or load capacity.

• Will undergo evaluation to determine the preferred

alignment (next CLC meeting).

• Broken down into 3 Areas, these areas have been

determined based on infrastructure and property challenges and river reach processes.

Alternative Trail Alignments

East Don Trail Environment Assessment

Areas

East Don Trail Environment Assessment

Alternative Trail Alignments

Area 1 2 trail alignment options:

• Forest Trail A
• Forest Trail B
• Road Link A
• Road Link B
• Road Link C
• River Walk A
• River Walk B
• River Walk C
• Rail Trail A
• Rail Trail B
• Rail Trail C

Area 3 3 trail alignment options:

• Access Route A
• Access Route B
• Access Route C

Area 2 9 trail alignment options:

Area 1

East Don Trail Environment Assessment

Alternatives: Forest Trail A Forest Trail B

• Northern extent of study

area

• Connects with existing

East Don Trail

• Potential ESA
• Adjacent Wynford

Concord, Victoria Village

Alternative Trail Alignments

Alternative Trail Alignments Bridge Crossing Potential Slope Stability Issues Existing Trail

Area 1: Issues and Challenges

East Don Trail Environment Assessment

Alternative Trail Alignments

• 1. Potential River Crossing Location
• 2. Crossing Under Rail Line

1 2

Area 1: Issues and Challenges

East Don Trail Environment Assessment

Alternative Trail Alignments 3 4

• 3. Large Erosion Scar
• 4. Potential rail line tunnel location

Area 1: Issues and Challenges

East Don Trail Environment Assessment

Alternative Trail Alignments 5 6

• 5. Potential River Crossing Location
• 6. Potential Eglinton Crossing

Area 1: Forest Trail A

East Don Trail Environment Assessment

Alternative Trail Alignments

Key Points

• 6 bridges
• Erosion remediation works

not required

• Allows connections to be

made into Victoria Village

• ~1.6km

Area 1: Forest Trail B

East Don Trail Environment Assessment

Alternative Trail Alignments

Key Points

• 4 bridges
• Erosion remediation works

would be required

• Does not allow for

connections to be made into Victoria Village Community

• ~1.6km

Area 1

Alternative Trail Alignments

• Do you agree with

the trail alignments as presented?

• Are any trail

alignments options missing?

Forest Trail A Forest Trail B Common to Both

Bridge Crossing Potential Slope Stability Issues Existing Trail Alternative Trail Alignments Rail Line Crossing

Area 2

East Don Trail Environment Assessment

Alternative Trail Alignments

Alternatives: Road Link A, B & C River Walk A, B & C Rail Trail A, B & C

• Middle of study area
• Includes Golf Course

property and Hydro One Corridor

• Connection to Gatineau

Corridor Trail

• Adjacent employment

industrial area and Flemingdon Park

• 9 Alternative Trail

Alignments

up

Alternative Trail Alignments Bridge Crossing Potential Slope Stability Issues Existing Trail

East Don Trail Environment Assessment

Area 2: Details on Descriptions

Alternative Trail Alignments

up

Spine

(in blue)

Gatineau

(in orange)

• Area 2 contains 9

Alternative Trail Alignments

• This is a combination of:

– 3 different “Spine” options identified in blue; and – 3 different “Gatineau”

• ptions identified in orange.
• Each of the alternatives

are unique and will all be evaluated individually

up

Area 2: Issues and Challenges

East Don Trail Environment Assessment

Alternative Trail Alignments 7 8

• 7. St. Dennis Dr
• 8. Steep Access into Valley

Area 2: Issues and Challenges

East Don Trail Environment Assessment

Alternative Trail Alignments

• 9. Rail line right of way
• 10. Golf Course and Hydro Corridor

up

9 10

Area 2: Issues and Challenges

East Don Trail Environment Assessment

Alternative Trail Alignments

• 11. Mass Slumps of Active Slope
• 12. Pinch Point Rail and Active Slope

up

11 12

Gatineau Access Trail: Issues and Challenges

East Don Trail Environment Assessment

Alternative Trail Alignments

up

17 18

• 17. Hydro Tower and Access Route
• 18. Potential At Grade Rail Line Crossing

East Don Trail Environment Assessment

up

Alternative Trail Alignments 19 20

• 19. Potential Rail Line Tunnel
• 21. Access Route
• 20. Forested

21

Gatineau Access Trail: Issues and Challenges

East Don Trail Environment Assessment

up

Road Link A Road Link B Common to All

Bridge Crossing Potential Slope Stability Issues Existing Trail Alternative Trail Alignments

Area 2: Alternatives Road Link A, B & C

Alternative Trail Alignments

3 Alternative Trail Alignments

Rail Line Crossing

Road Link C

East Don Trail Environment Assessment

Area 2: Alternatives Road Link A

Alternative Trail Alignments Key Points

• ~2.9km

Spine

• 2 bridges
• Requires travel on road ROW, potential

relocation of infrastructure (light standards)

• Safety concerns and steep access
• Does not require acquisition of privately
• wned golf course

Gatineau

• Crosses rail line once: would not be an

at grade

• 1 bridge and 1 potential bridge
• Steep areas with varying topography
• Travels between two City of Toronto

Works properties (Bermondsey Transfer Station & Bermondsey Yard)

• Utilizes a portion of existing Toronto

Water access route

Gatineau Spine

East Don Trail Environment Assessment

Area 2: Alternatives Road Link B

Alternative Trail Alignments Key Points

• ~3.3km

Spine

• 2 bridges
• Requires travel on road ROW, potential

relocation of infrastructure (light standards)

• Safety concerns and steep access
• Does not require acquisition of privately
• wned golf course

Gatineau

• Crosses rail line once: potentially an at

grade crossing

• 1 bridge
• Passes two Hydro towers, one with

limited space, may require anti climbing devices

• Requires Hydro One Licensed

agreement

• Utilizes existing access route

Gatineau Spine

East Don Trail Environment Assessment

Area 2: Alternatives Road Link C

Alternative Trail Alignments Key Points

• ~3.4km

Spine

• 2 bridges
• Requires travel on road ROW, potential

relocation of infrastructure (light standards)

• Safety concerns and steep access
• Does not require acquisition of privately
• wned golf course

Gatineau

• 1 bridge
• Passes between large erosion scar and

rail line (limited to no space)

• Passes two Hydro towers, one with

limited space, may require anti climbing devices

• Requires Hydro One Licensed

agreement

• Travels over former landfill
• No rail line crossing necessary
• Utilizes existing access route

Gatineau Spine

East Don Trail Environment Assessment

River Walk A River Walk B Common to All

Bridge Crossing Potential Slope Stability Issues Existing Trail Alternative Trail Alignments

Area 2: Alternatives River Walk A, B & C

Alternative Trail Alignments

3 Alternative Trail Alignments

Rail Line Crossing

River Walk C

East Don Trail Environment Assessment

Area 2: Alternatives River Walk A

Alternative Trail Alignments Key Points

• ~2.7km

Spine

• 4 bridges
• Requires acquisition of privately owned

golf course property

• Generally flat and even terrain
• Does not require steep access to

connect with remainder of spine trail

Gatineau

• Crosses rail line once: would not be an

at grade crossing

• 1 bridge and 1 potential bridge
• Steep areas with varying topography
• Travels between two City of Toronto

Works properties (Bermondsey Transfer Station & Bermondsey Yard)

• Utilizes a portion of existing Toronto

Water access route

Gatineau Spine

East Don Trail Environment Assessment

Area 2: Alternatives River Walk B

Alternative Trail Alignments Key Points

• ~2.8km

Spine

• 4 bridges
• Requires acquisition of privately owned

golf course property

• Generally flat and even terrain
• Does not require steep access to

connect with remainder of spine trail

Gatineau

• Crosses rail line once: potentially an at

grade crossing

• Passes two Hydro towers, one with

limited space, may require anti climbing devices

• Requires Hydro One Licensed

agreement

• Utilizes existing access route

Gatineau Spine

East Don Trail Environment Assessment

Area 2: Alternatives River Walk C

Alternative Trail Alignments Key Points

• ~3.4km

Spine

• 4 bridges
• Requires acquisition of privately owned

golf course property

• Generally flat and even terrain
• Does not require steep access to

connect with remainder of spine trail

Gatineau Access

• 1 bridge
• Passes between large erosion scar and

rail line (limited to no space)

• Passes two Hydro towers, one with

limited space, may require anti climbing devices

• Requires Hydro One Licensed

agreement

• Travels over former landfill
• No rail line crossing necessary
• Utilizes existing access route

Spine Gatineau

East Don Trail Environment Assessment

Rail Trail A Rail Trail B Common to All

Bridge Crossing Potential Slope Stability Issues Existing Trail Alternative Trail Alignments

Area 3: Alternatives Rail Trail A, B & C

Alternative Trail Alignments

3 Alternative Trail Alignments

Rail Line Crossing

Rail Trail C

East Don Trail Environment Assessment

Area 2: Alternatives Rail Trail A

Alternative Trail Alignments Key Points

• ~2.1km

Spine

• 4 bridges
• Requires travel along rail line right of

way

• Fencing of route necessary
• Safety and noise level concerns
• Does not require steep access to

connect with remainder of spine trail

Gatineau

• Crosses rail line once: would not be an

at grade crossing

• 1 potential bridge
• Steep areas with varying topography
• Travels between two City of Toronto

Works properties (Bermondsey Transfer Station & Bermondsey Yard)

• Utilizes a portion of existing Toronto

Water access route

Spine Gatineau

East Don Trail Environment Assessment

Area 2: Alternatives Rail Trail B

Alternative Trail Alignments Key Points

• ~2.2km

Spine

• 4 bridges
• Requires travel along rail line right of

way

• Fencing of route necessary
• Safety and noise level concerns
• Does not require steep access to

connect with remainder of spine trail

Gatineau

• Crosses rail line once: potentially an at

grade crossing

• Passes two Hydro towers, one with

limited space, may require anti climbing devices

• Requires Hydro One Licensed

agreement

• Utilizes existing access route

Gatineau Spine

East Don Trail Environment Assessment

Area 2: Alternatives Rail Trail 3

Alternative Trail Alignments Key Points

• ~2.9km

Spine

• 4 bridges
• Requires travel along rail line right of way
• Fencing of route necessary
• Safety and noise level concerns
• Does not require steep access to connect

with remainder of spine trail

Gatineau

• 1 bridge
• Passes between large erosion scar and

rail line (limited to no space)

• Passes two Hydro towers, one with

limited space, may require anti climbing devices

• Requires Hydro One Licensed agreement
• Travels over former landfill
• No rail line crossing necessary
• Utilizes existing access route

Spine Gatineau

East Don Trail Environment Assessment

Area 2: Alternatives Road Link

Alternative Trail Alignments

Road Link Alternative A Road Link Alternative B Road Link Alternative C

River Walk Alternative B River Walk Alternative C

East Don Trail Environment Assessment

Area 2: Alternatives River Walk

Alternative Trail Alignments

River Walk Alternative A

Rail Trail Alternative B Rail Trail Alternative C

East Don Trail Environment Assessment

Area 2: Alternatives Rail Trail

Alternative Trail Alignments

Rail Trail Alternative A

Area 2

Alternative Trail Alignments

• Do you agree with

the trail alignments as presented?

• Are any trail

alignments options missing?

River Walk (A,B,C) Rail Trail (A,B,C) Common to All (Gatineau)

Bridge Crossing Potential Slope Stability Issues Existing Trail Alternative Trail Alignments Rail Line Crossing

up

Road Link (A,B,C)

Area 3

East Don Trail Environment Assessment

Alternative Trail Alignments

Alternatives: Access Route A Access Route B Access Route C

• South end of study area
• Will connect to Don Trail

networks

• Toronto Water access

route

• Adjacent Parkview Hills,

O’Conner Parkview, and Flemingdon Park

Alternative Trail Alignments Bridge Crossing Potential Slope Stability Issues Existing Trail

Area 3: Issues and Challenges

East Don Trail Environment Assessment

Alternative Trail Alignments 13 14

• 13. Potential River Crossing Location
• 14. Toronto Water Access Route

Area 3: Issues and Challenges

East Don Trail Environment Assessment

Alternative Trail Alignments

• 15. Crossing Under the DVP
• 16. Connection to Lower Don Trail

15 16

Area 3: Alternative Access Route A

East Don Trail Environment Assessment

Alternative Trail Alignments

Key Points

• ~1.7 km
• 2 bridges
• Travels under DVP once

(under bridge)

• Access to Lower Don trail

and ET Seton Park is direct

• Potential safety concerns

Area 3: Alternative Access Route B

East Don Trail Environment Assessment

Alternative Trail Alignments

Key Points

• ~1.7km
• 2 bridges
• Travels under DVP once

(under bridge)

• Access to Lower Don trail

and ET Seton Park is direct

• Potential safety concerns

Area 3: Alternative Access Route B

East Don Trail Environment Assessment

Alternative Trail Alignments

Key Points

• ~2.2 km
• 1 bridge and 1 potential

bridge replacement

• Travels under DVP twice

(under bridges)

• Access area is very steep

and narrow, and travels through a mature forested area

• Access to Lower Don trail

is not direct

• Access to Taylor Creek

Park Trail is direct

Area 3

Alternative Trail Alignments

• Do you agree with

the trail alignments as presented?

• Are any trail

alignments options missing?

Access Route B Access Route C Common

Bridge Crossing Potential Slope Stability Issues Existing Trail Alternative Trail Alignments Rail Line Crossing

Access Route A

• To determine the impact of each alternative trail

alignment in order to select a preferred trail alignment

• Criteria are draft
• Evaluation of criteria will be discussed at next CLC

meeting

• Please provide comments by July 29

Draft Evaluation Criteria

East Don Trail Environment Assessment

CLC review of draft Evaluation Criteria: July 15 to July 29 (two week review)

Functional Value

Draft Evaluation Criteria

Criteria Indicators

Meets project high level goal #1: Trail is located within the valley lands Located within zoned Parks and Natural Areas. Meets project high level goal #2: Trail supports multi users Accessibility, access grades, topography. Meets access and use for infrastructure maintenance and emergency services Access grades, topography, bridge crossings, distance to infrastructure, turn radius. Does not eliminate future

• pportunities to create connections

Location of current and anticipated future

• pportunities.

Meets objectives for additional initiatives (not related to EA

• bjectives)

Potential to meet or eliminate objectives for additional initiatives. Ease of use/ Usability Continuity, disruptions, frequency of stops, length of trail.

East Don Trail Environment Assessment

Natural and Physical Environment

Draft Evaluation Criteria

East Don Trail Environment Assessment

Criteria Indicators

Potential impact to terrestrial vegetation Quality and quantity of vegetation removed, including L rankings, invasive and non natives. Potential impact to wildlife habitat and connectivity Location of trail through mature forest and key wildlife habitats assessing for size, shape, function, and connections. Potential impact to aquatic habitat Quality and quantity of vegetation removed, including L rankings, invasive and non natives, number of bridges, distance of trail to river. Potential impact to wetlands Distance of trail to wetlands, wetland community L ranking, circumvent natural surface drainage.

Natural and Physical Environment

Draft Evaluation Criteria

East Don Trail Environment Assessment

Criteria Indicators

Potential impact on erosion processes Number of bridge crossings together with the proximity of the trail to the edge of the river banks or unstable slopes. Potential impacts on surface drainage and groundwater Potential impact on natural surface drainage paths together with potential alterations to groundwater regime. Potential impacts to East Don River processes Potential impact on flood levels within the valley system, alteration of channel hydraulics, control on natural morphological processes, and water quality.

Social and Cultural Environment

Draft Evaluation Criteria

East Don Trail Environment Assessment

Criteria Indicators

Impact to public safety objectives Proximity to river, rail lines, road ways, and hydro towers, sight lines and amount of turns. Disruption to local study area business and infrastructure

• perations and maintenance

Acquisition, easement or license agreements, potential to impede current

• perations and use.

Disruption to existing valley land actives/uses Potential negative impacts on existing valley uses.

Social and Cultural Environment

Draft Evaluation Criteria

East Don Trail Environment Assessment

Criteria Indicators

Recreational Value Access to river, ability to provide additional

• pportunities and experiences in the future,

follow current informal trail (known use of area). Aesthetics Sight barriers, varying natural surroundings, vistas, and views. Noise Level Proximity to works yards, rail line, road, industrial/commercial areas. Potential to impact known or potential archaeological sites, built heritage sites, and cultural heritage landscapes Potential sites, known sites, trail utilizes already disturbed areas.

Cost

Draft Evaluation Criteria

East Don Trail Environment Assessment

Criteria Indicators

Capital Cost Number of bridge structures, tunnels under the railway, acquisition of private property, channel restoration and slope stabilization, and total length of trail through valley. Operational and Maintenance Cost Relative cost of maintaining the trail based

• n future risks due to flooding and erosion,

proximity of trail to frequent flood levels, number of bridge or tunnel structures associated with each alternative with an expected 25 year lifespan. Cost Benefit Obtaining access to valley for sanitary sewer maintenance, slope stabilization to protect private property and overall benefit to public safety.

Technical

Draft Evaluation Criteria

East Don Trail Environment Assessment

Criteria Indicators

Technical Feasibility Private property disruptions, acquisitions, constraints (ie. interaction with private golf course, ability to open cut rail crossings, use

• f at-grade rail crossings, trail adjacent to

hydro one infrastructure) & slope or erosion stabilization measures . Ease of Implementation Approvals, both community and landowner acceptance, length of time to implement, required closure of rail lines at tunnel locations.

• Evaluate alternative trail alignments
• Select preferred alternative
• CLC meeting #4 will take place August 12
• r 14 – date to be determined

Next Steps

East Don Trail Environment Assessment

Questions?

East Don Trail Environment Assessment