Public Consultation – Project Update Muskoka Rd 15 (Santa’s Village Rd) Transportation Improvements Oct. 12, 2017
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.on.ca
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 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 Purpose of this presentation is to: • Provide a summary of the project, • Present an evaluation of the various Alternative Solutions, and • Summarize public input on the Alternative Solutions presented at the Public Information Centre. 4
Muskoka Road 15 (Santa’s Village Rd) Municipal Class EA Process Transportation Improvements Municipal Class EA This project is being considered as a Schedule ‘B’ Project (Phases 1 to 2) We Are Here 5
Muskoka Road 15 (Santa’s Village Rd) Existing Natural Environment Transportation Improvements Municipal Class EA CUP3-2 -White Pine Coniferous Plantation Type CUM1-1 -Dry-Moist Old Field Meadow Type FOD3 -Dry-Fresh Poplar-White Birch Deciduous Forest Ecosite FOD3-2 -Dry-Fresh White Birch Deciduous Forest Type FOD2-1 -Dry-Fresh Oak – Red Maple Deciduous Forest Type FOC1-2 -Dry-Fresh White Pine – Red Pine Coniferous Forest Type FOC2 -Dry-Fresh Cedar Coniferous Forest Ecosite FOM2 -Dry-Fresh White Pine – Maple – Oak Mixed Ecosite FOM1 -Dry Oak – Pine Mixed Forest Ecosite MAS3 -Organic Shallow Marsh Ecosite RES - Residential REC - Recreational Vegetation Birds • Common vegetation communities. • Potential for several breeding bird • Mature trees species including Species at Risk birds, as well as area sensitive species. Reptiles Bats • Preferred potential habitat for Species at • Overall the study area is considered to Risk reptiles beyond the existing right-of- have low potential for candidate roosting way habitat. 6
Muskoka Road 15 (Santa’s Village Rd) Existing Technical Environment Transportation Improvements Municipal Class EA • • Existing speed limit is 50 km/h. Shallow ditches with minimal outlets to the river. • Existing pavement width varies • Drainage issues have been reported in between 6.0 and 8.5 metres wide. some areas. • Sight distances are deficient at some • Cable guide rails are present in limited curves and intersections. areas along the corridor; some are in • Roadside hazards include trees, need of repair. embankments and the river. • No Active Transportation facilities. 7
Muskoka Road 15 (Santa’s Village Rd) Existing Social/Cultural Environment Transportation Improvements Municipal Class EA • 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. • Archaeological potential in the study area. • Large number of mature trees, which provide privacy, shade and scenic • Potential cultural landscape features are attributes. not anticipated to be directly impacted by the proposed alternatives. 8
Muskoka Road 15 (Santa’s Village Rd) Alternative Solutions Transportation Improvements Municipal Class EA Alternative 1: Do Nothing 9
Muskoka Road 15 (Santa’s Village Rd) Alternative Solutions Transportation Improvements Municipal Class EA Alternative 2: Rural Cross Section with Shallow Ditch Legend Yellow lines - guiderail Red lines - property acquisition 10
Muskoka Road 15 (Santa’s Village Rd) Alternative Solutions Transportation Improvements Municipal Class EA Alternative 3: Semi-Urban Cross Section with Bicycle Lanes Legend Yellow lines - guiderail Red lines - property acquisition 11
Muskoka Road 15 (Santa’s Village Rd) Alternative Solutions Transportation Improvements Municipal Class EA Alternative 4: Semi-Urban Cross Section with Multi-Use Trail Legend Yellow lines - guiderail Red lines - property acquisition 12
Muskoka Road 15 (Santa’s Village Rd) Alternative Solutions Transportation Improvements Municipal Class EA Alternative 5: Semi-Urban Cross Section (No multi-use trail or bike lanes) Legend Yellow lines - guiderail Red lines - property acquisition 13
Muskoka Road 15 (Santa’s Village Rd) Alternative Solutions Transportation Improvements Municipal Class EA Alternative 6A: Enhanced Road Profile Complete with 2m Paved Shoulder on South Side and 1m Paved Shoulder on North Side of Road Legend Yellow lines - guiderail Red lines - property acquisition 14
Muskoka Road 15 (Santa’s Village Rd) Alternative Solutions Transportation Improvements Municipal Class EA Alternative 6B: Enhanced Road Profile Complete With 1.5m Bicycle Lanes on Both Sides of Road Legend Yellow lines - guiderail Red lines - property acquisition 15
Muskoka Road 15 (Santa’s Village Rd) Public Information Centre Transportation Improvements Municipal Class EA • 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. 16
Muskoka Road 15 (Santa’s Village Rd) Overall Preference Transportation Improvements Municipal Class EA Alt First Choice Alt 6B Alt 1 Alt 5 Last 6A Alt 2 Choice Alt 3 Alt 4 Alt Alt 4 Alt 1 6B Alt Alt 5 Alt 3 Alt 2 6A • Alternative 6B had over half of all first • Alternative 1 had the highest number rank scores. of last place ranks scores, with over • Alternative 1 and Alternative 6A were the half of all last ranks, of those comment next highest respectively, based on the sheets that indicated a least preferred number of first ranks received. (i.e. ranked as a 7). • Alternatives 2, 3 and 5 all received the • Alternatives 6A and 6B received the fewest first ranks. fewest last ranks. 17
Muskoka Road 15 (Santa’s Village Rd) General Preference Transportation Improvements Municipal Class EA Group Most Often in Top Three Most Often in Bottom Three Residents Of Santa’s Village Alternative 1, 6B and 6A Alternatives 1 to 5 Road (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 Alternative 6B and 6A Alternatives 1 and 5 Area (Alternatives 2, 6A and 6B least often) Summary of Rankings • 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 often among the bottom three rankings. 18
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