Public Consultation Project Update Muskoka Rd 15 (Santas Village - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Public Consultation – Project Update

Muskoka Rd 15 (Santa’s Village Rd) Transportation Improvements

• Oct. 12, 2017

muskoka.on.ca

Agenda:

• Introductory Comments
• Present the summary report on public

comments received

• Present the Consultant’s

recommendations

• Discuss next steps in the project decision

making process and project timelines

• Open Session : Q & A

Muskoka Road 15 (Santa’s Village Rd) Transportation Improvements from the Beaver Creek Bridge to the Entrance of Santa’s Village District of Muskoka Municipal Class Environmental Assessment

Muskoka Road 15 (Santa’s Village Rd) Transportation Improvements Municipal Class EA

4

Purpose of this presentation is to:

• Provide a summary of

the project,

• Present an evaluation
• f the various

Alternative Solutions, and

• Summarize public input
• n the Alternative

Solutions presented at the Public Information Centre. Problem/Opportunity Statement The District of Muskoka has identified a need for transportation improvements to Muskoka Road 15 from Beaver Creek Bridge to the entrance of Santa’s Village. Improvements to address road surface, road base and subgrade performance deficiencies, drainage, erosion control and active transportation will be considered

Muskoka Road 15 (Santa’s Village Rd) Transportation Improvements Municipal Class EA

5

Municipal Class EA Process

We Are Here

This project is being considered as a Schedule ‘B’ Project (Phases 1 to 2)

Muskoka Road 15 (Santa’s Village Rd) Transportation Improvements Municipal Class EA

6

Existing Natural Environment

Birds

• Potential for several breeding bird

species including Species at Risk birds, as well as area sensitive species. Bats

• Overall the study area is considered to

have low potential for candidate roosting habitat. Vegetation

• Common vegetation communities.
• Mature trees

Reptiles

• Preferred potential habitat for Species at

Risk reptiles beyond the existing right-of- way

Muskoka Road 15 (Santa’s Village Rd) Transportation Improvements Municipal Class EA

7

• Existing speed limit is 50 km/h.
• Existing pavement width varies

between 6.0 and 8.5 metres wide.

• Sight distances are deficient at some

curves and intersections.

• Roadside hazards include trees,

embankments and the river.

• No Active Transportation facilities.
• Shallow ditches with minimal outlets to

the river.

• Drainage issues have been reported in

some areas.

• Cable guide rails are present in limited

areas along the corridor; some are in need of repair.

Existing Technical Environment

Muskoka Road 15 (Santa’s Village Rd) Transportation Improvements Municipal Class EA

8

Existing Social/Cultural Environment

• Docks/boathouses located on the

south (river) side of the road, with unobstructed access.

• The existing road has minimal

shoulders and other features to support active transportation.

• The road provides a main access route

to Santa’s Village.

• Large number of mature trees, which

provide privacy, shade and scenic attributes.

• Archaeological potential in the study area.
• Potential cultural landscape features are

not anticipated to be directly impacted by the proposed alternatives.

Muskoka Road 15 (Santa’s Village Rd) Transportation Improvements Municipal Class EA

9

Alternative Solutions Alternative 1: Do Nothing

Muskoka Road 15 (Santa’s Village Rd) Transportation Improvements Municipal Class EA

10

Alternative 2: Rural Cross Section with Shallow Ditch Alternative Solutions

Legend Yellow lines - guiderail Red lines - property acquisition

Muskoka Road 15 (Santa’s Village Rd) Transportation Improvements Municipal Class EA

11

Alternative 3: Semi-Urban Cross Section with Bicycle Lanes Alternative Solutions

Legend Yellow lines - guiderail Red lines - property acquisition

Muskoka Road 15 (Santa’s Village Rd) Transportation Improvements Municipal Class EA

12

Alternative 4: Semi-Urban Cross Section with Multi-Use Trail

Alternative Solutions

Legend Yellow lines - guiderail Red lines - property acquisition

Muskoka Road 15 (Santa’s Village Rd) Transportation Improvements Municipal Class EA

13

Alternative 5: Semi-Urban Cross Section (No multi-use trail or bike lanes) Alternative Solutions

Legend Yellow lines - guiderail Red lines - property acquisition

Muskoka Road 15 (Santa’s Village Rd) Transportation Improvements Municipal Class EA

14

Alternative 6A: Enhanced Road Profile Complete with 2m Paved Shoulder on South Side and 1m Paved Shoulder on North Side of Road

Alternative Solutions

Legend Yellow lines - guiderail Red lines - property acquisition

Muskoka Road 15 (Santa’s Village Rd) Transportation Improvements Municipal Class EA

15

Alternative 6B: Enhanced Road Profile Complete With 1.5m Bicycle Lanes on Both Sides of Road

Alternative Solutions

Legend Yellow lines - guiderail Red lines - property acquisition

Muskoka Road 15 (Santa’s Village Rd) Transportation Improvements Municipal Class EA

16

• A key component of the study included consultation with interested stakeholders.
• A Public Information Centre (PIC) was held on August 10, 2017.
• The comments received during the PIC and subsequent comment period included

the following themes: – Concern about the existing traffic speed and that road improvements, such as widening or straightening curves, may result in an increase in speed. – Concern that guiderails will limit access to the River, including for people with accessibility issues. – Concern about existing property and private infrastructure that may be removed or damaged during construction. – Concern about the removal of trees and habitat. – Concern the curb and gutter would ruin the rural nature of the road, create a hazard for cyclists, and be a problem for winter maintenance. – Desire for safe active transportation along the road. – Desire to improve the road for increased tourism and enjoyment of the River.

Public Information Centre

Muskoka Road 15 (Santa’s Village Rd) Transportation Improvements Municipal Class EA

17

Overall Preference

Alt 1 Alt 2 Alt 3 Alt 4 Alt 5 Alt 6A Alt 6B

First Choice

• Alternative 6B had over half of all first

rank scores.

• Alternative 1 and Alternative 6A were the

next highest respectively, based on the number of first ranks received.

• Alternatives 2, 3 and 5 all received the

fewest first ranks.

Alt 1 Alt 2 Alt 3 Alt 4 Alt 5 Alt 6A Alt 6B

Last Choice

• Alternative 1 had the highest number
• f last place ranks scores, with over

half of all last ranks, of those comment sheets that indicated a least preferred (i.e. ranked as a 7).

• Alternatives 6A and 6B received the

fewest last ranks.

Muskoka Road 15 (Santa’s Village Rd) Transportation Improvements Municipal Class EA

18

General Preference

Group Most Often in Top Three Most Often in Bottom Three Residents Of Santa’s Village Road Alternative 1, 6B and 6A Alternatives 1 to 5 (Alternatives 6A and 6B least often) Residents Of Local Roads Alternative 6B and 6A Alternatives 1 and 5 (Alternatives 6A and 6B least often) Residents Of the Greater Area Alternative 6B and 6A Alternatives 1 and 5 (Alternatives 2, 6A and 6B least

• ften)
• Alternatives 6A and 6B were rated high across all three Groups and had the

fewest low rankings of any Alternative.

• Of all Alternatives, 6B had the highest positive ranking overall. Alternatives 2, 3,

4, and 5 had minimal support from stakeholders.

• Alternative 1 had the most support from Group 1 but also placed within the

bottom three ranks for Group 1 along with Alternatives 2 to 5.

• Alternative 1 had the least support from Groups 2 and 3 and was ranked most
• ften among the bottom three rankings.

Summary of Rankings

Muskoka Road 15 (Santa’s Village Rd) Transportation Improvements Municipal Class EA

19

CRITERIA FOR EVALUATING ALTERNATIVES Alternative 1: Do Nothing Alternative 2: Rural Cross Section with Shallow Ditch Alternative 3: Semi- Urban Cross Section with Bike Lanes Alternative 4: Semi- Urban Cross Section with Multi-Use Trail Alternative 5: Semi- Urban Cross Section

Alternative 6A: Enhanced Road Profile Complete with 2m Paved Shoulder on South Side and 1m Paved Shoulder on North Side of Road Alternative 6B: Enhanced Road Profile Complete With 1.5m Paved Shoulder On Both Sides Of Road

A NATURAL ENVIRONMENT Vegetation/Terrestrial Habitat SUMMARY NATURAL ENVIRONMENT B SOCIAL-CULTURAL ENVIRONMENT Construction Nuisance Impacts Property Impacts Traffic/Motorist Safety Pedestrian/Cyclist Accommodation Impacts to Trees Archaeological Resources Impacts Heritage Resources Impacts SUMMARY SOCIAL-CULTURAL ENVIRONMENT C FINANCIAL FACTORS Lifecycle Costs, including Capital Costs, Maintenance Costs and Property Acquisition Costs (over 25 years) SUMMARY FINANCIAL FACTORS D TECHNICAL FACTORS Sight Distances Base Deficiencies Drainage Retaining Walls SUMMARY TECHNICAL FACTORS E PROBLEM STATEMENT Addresses Problem Statement

No Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes

SUMMARY PROBLEM STATEMENT

Not Preferred Preferred Preferred Preferred Preferred Preferred Preferred

CRITERIA FOR EVALUATING ALTERNATIVES Alternative 1: Do Nothing Alternative 2: Rural Cross Section with Shallow Ditch Alternative 3: Semi- Urban Cross Section with Bike Lanes Alternative 4: Semi- Urban Cross Section with Multi-Use Trail Alternative 5: Semi- Urban Cross Section

Alternative 6A: Enhanced Road Profile Complete with 2m Paved Shoulder on South Side and 1m Paved Shoulder on North Side of Road Alternative 6B: Enhanced Road Profile Complete With 1.5m Paved Shoulder On Both Sides Of Road

OVERALL SUMMARY

Not Preferred Least Preferred Minorly Preferred Somewhat Preferred Moderately Preferred Most Preferred Most Preferred

ORDER OF PREFERENCE Most Preferred Moderately Preferred Somewhat Preferred Minorly Preferred Least Preferred

Evaluation of Alternatives

Muskoka Road 15 (Santa’s Village Rd) Transportation Improvements Municipal Class EA

20

Preliminary Preferred Solution

Alternative 6A:

Alternative 6B: Advantages Disadvantages

• Resurfacing of the road (along the same footprint), with full depth reconstruction of

the road widening area only, pending geotechnical engineering recommendations.

• Existing horizontal alignment of the road remains basically the same.
• Minor changes to the road geometrics.
• 3.0 m lanes to minimize road cross section and contribute to traffic calming.
• Additional guiderail may be required in localized areas.
• Estimated 25 year Lifecycle Cost: $3,623,000.

muskoka.on.ca

• Burnside will present the Preliminary Preferred Alternative Solution to the District at

the October EPW meeting, on October 18, 2017.

• District staff will provide a report at the November EPW Committee meeting with

the recommended alternative.

• A notice of study completion will be issued in the winter of 2017/2018.
• With option 6A or 6B, the project becomes a Schedule A+ project.
• Schedule A+ projects are considered to represent minimal adverse impacts to the

environment and generally include normal operational and maintenance activities.

• Schedule A+ projects are pre-approved under the Municipal Class EA process,

with the public being advised before the project is implemented. The public retains the opportunity to comment to municipal council.

• Detailed Design and Construction – Currently proposed for 2018 (as identified in

the capital budget and is subject to change).

Next Steps

www.muskoka.on.ca 22

Questions and Answers

muskoka.on.ca

Stay Informed and Engage with Us!

How Can We Engage You? What Do You Want to Hear More About?