Townline Road (Regional Road 55) Class Environmental Assessment Road - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Townline Road (Regional Road 55) Class Environmental Assessment Road and Drainage Improvements Public Information Centre June 19, 2019 6:30-7:30 p.m.

Pierre Elliott Trudeau Public School 1111 Beatrice Street East, Oshawa L1K 2S7

Thank you for attending the Public Information Centre We need your input on:

• 1. The characterization of the Problems and Opportunities.
• 2. Proposed alternative solutions to address the Problems.

1

Study Area

N

Background Townline Road is a Type B Arterial Road serving both traffic flow and land access

• functions. Type B Arterial Roads generally serve mid-distance traffic movements and

distribute traffic to/from lower classification roads, for example Whitelaw Ave. to/from higher classification roads such as Townline Rd. The Region is currently undertaking the installation of a sanitary sewer which will necessitate the rehabilitation/ reconstruction of Townline Road between Whitelaw Ave. and Taunton Road. Study Purpose Durham’s Transportation Master Plan (TMP) identifies Townline Road from Pebblestone Road to Taunton Road to be widened from 2 to 3 lanes beyond the year 2031. Currently the travel demand on Townline Road does not justify widening from a capacity standpoint however from a safety standpoint the Region is identifying and evaluating alternative solutions including adding a Two Way Left Turn Lane (TWLTL) between Whitelaw Ave. and Taunton Rd. now to improve safety for vehicles turning onto or from the existing cluster of residences north of Whitelaw Ave. The potential addition of the additional lane is the trigger for this Municipal Class Environmental Assessment. This EA is following the Planning process of Schedule B requirements of the Municipal Class EA (MEA, October 2000 as amended 2007, 2011 & 2015) Association Study Objectives

• 1. Complete a traffic analysis to confirm the need of the preferred alternative solution.
• 2. Complete Phases 1 & 2 of the Municipal Class EA process.
• 3. Provide consideration of a reasonable range of alternative solutions.
• 4. Consider the effects on all aspects of the environment and prepare a systematic

evaluation of solutions considered.

• 5. Select a Preliminary Preferred Solution.

2

zyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedcbaWTSRPOMHDCBA

Environmental Assessment Planning & Design Process

Phase 1

Problem or Opportunity Winter 2019

Phase 2

Alternative Solutions Spring/Summer 2019 We are currently in Phase 2

Phase 3

Alternative Design for Preferred Solutions This Phase does not apply to this project

Phase 4

Environmental Study Report This Phase does not apply to this project

Phase 5

Implementation Winter 2019- Spring 2020

Phase 1 - Problem identification

• Townline Road between Taunton Rd. and Whitelaw Ave. requires rehabilitation/ reconstruction due to poor pavement condition.
• Townline road is an arterial Type B two lane road with homes fronting on it, the volume and speed of traffic make turning left into and out of existing

driveways less than ideal and can lead to traffic being backed-up while vehicles are turning

• Drainage from Townline Road is un-controlled and generally untreated except for a portion of stormwater that flows through a portion of open ditch n

the west side of the road.

• There are no existing sidewalks or Multi Use paths within the Study Area, while there are sidewalks from the adjacent development west of Townline

Road that terminate at the Right-of-Way for Townline Rd. creating a safety concern for pedestrians and cyclists.

Problem & Opportunity Statement

The rehabilitation/reconstruction of Townline Road is being proposed to address the impact of growing traffic volumes, on-going pavement condition and

• perational deficiencies, drainage issues and safety concerns. Currently there are left turn lanes at Taunton Rd. and Whitelaw Ave. Road expansion to

add a continuous centre left-turn lane is identified in Durham’s Transportation Master Plan however the proposed timeline is “Beyond 2031”. ‘The Region requires reconstruction/rehabilitation of Townline Road between Taunton Rd. and Whitelaw Ave. to address deteriorating pavement condition and other road deficiencies. Road rehabilitation provides an opportunity to improve the transportation network along this section of Townline Rd.. by providing safer ingress and egress to the cluster of properties fronting the road , this could include the addition of a two way left turn lane. Road expansion to add a centre left-turn lane is identified in Durham’s Transportation Master Plan as a “Beyond 2031” project, however, due to the poor pavement condition, safety concerns and other deficiencies along this section of Townline Road it was determined that now is a more efficient and appropriate time to consider a solution regarding turning movements within this section of road.’ 3

Phase 1 - Consultation Summary

We sought input through public notice, direct mailing to key stakeholders, First Nations and the project website to learn about your concerns and potential

• solutions. We’ve learned to date:
• 1. Drainage is an ongoing concern for some

residents.

• 2. Currently the road drainage is untreated,

CLOCA would like to see the road drainage treated through stormwater management techniques prior to re- entering the nearby tributary to Harmony Creek.

• 3. There is a cluster of approximately 18

homes on the east side of Townline Road that require left turn movements to and from Townline Road, we have heard verbally that this turning movement feels unsafe and that traffic can become backed up when residents are making left turns into their driveways.

• 4. Durham District School Board has an

interest as a landowner adjacent to the Study Area.

• 5. Pedestrians must use shoulders to walk

along and cyclists must use the road as roadside pathways and sidewalks do not exist in the Study Area.

• 6. There is an interest from some First

Nations Communities as the project may have potential to impact archeological resources

Opportunities:

• 1. Consider a selection of alternative

solutions to address the problem of road safety.

• 2. Consider drainage improvements to better

redirect runoff from the road to a storm sewer or alternatively to a ditch on the west side of Townline Road or combination of the two including the possibility of constructing a storm sewer from Whitelaw Avenue into the existing Storm Water Management Facility along Beatrice St.

• 3. Consider the potential of providing a

platform for a sidewalk or multi-use path

• n the west side of Townline Road to

improve accessibility.

• 4. Consider road safety improvements by

increasing the clearance between utility poles, guy wires and other physical structures and the travelled lanes to meet minimum TAC/ OPSD standards. 4

Phase 2 – Built Environment

Compatibility with Municipal Land Use Objectives

Durham Transportation Master Plan (2017) (TMP)

Optimize Road Infrastructure & Operation

Durham’s TMP provides guidance on managing congestion levels on roads through a proactive combination of capacity, design, and operational strategies that can reduce the impact of bottlenecks and discontinuities, improve safety for all road users, and be adaptive to climate change challenges.

Opportunities for Townline Road between Taunton Rd. and Whitelaw Ave.:

• Make better use of existing road capacity.
• Continue to focus on road safety.
• Support accommodating all road users when

improving the road.

5

Phase 2 - Built Environment

Compatibility with Municipal Land Use Objectives

Regional Cycling Plan & TMP

Durham is working towards shifting more short trips from cars to either foot or bike by collaborating with area municipalities to improve the connectivity, continuity, comfort, convenience and safety of walking and cycling

• routes. Residents will find it easier to move within, through

and between neighbourhoods and will enjoy greater

• pportunity through improved access to daily destinations.

“Cycling routes that improve area municipal connectivity, are key commuter routes, or enhance Regional cycling tourism will be prioritized.”

Opportunities for improve walking & cycling in the study area include:

• 1. Improve walkability and cycling by closing the gap in sidewalk/ trail network by introducing/accommodating a Multi

Use Path.

• 2. Accelerate implementation of the Regional Cycling Plan (RCP).

6

7

Phase 2 - Built Environment

Compatibility with Municipal Land Use Objectives

Durham Community Climate Change Action Plan (2016)

Adaptive Culverts and Bridges Program

“Culverts and bridges maintain the continuity of water courses under roads, trails and other transportation corridors. They are designed to perform satisfactorily over a range of storm averages and extremes and may fail if they are subjected to above-design storm events resulting in potential road and embankment washouts.” There are a number of driveway culverts and a cross culvert under Townline Road draining the west side of the road to the east toward the tributary of Harmony Creek. These culverts will be reviewed during detailed design for their adaptive capacity and modified as appropriate.

Opportunities to address future storm impacts in the study area include:

• 1. Improving the adaptive capacity of the existing storm structures (culverts through replacement/ enlargement where appropriate and elimination where

practical).

• 2. Implementing sustainable (e.g., Low- Impact Development and green infrastructure) measures to reduce the severity of storm event impacts on stormwater
• infrastructure. (e.g. green swales where feasible).
• 3. Modifying inspection and maintenance practices to proactively accommodate future storm intensities.

Resilient Asphalt Program

‘Asphalt pavement is composed of aggregates and asphalt cement that are designed to perform over a range of temperatures. At higher temperatures, the pavement softens and becomes more susceptible to rutting and cracks. Changing climate conditions including extended and extreme hot periods are expected to weaken the asphalt pavement resulting in shorter life span and increased maintenance work.’ Suggested measures to address the extreme heat impact to asphalt pavement include:

• 1. Using resilient asphalt that can tolerate extreme heat.
• 2. Considering the use of light coloured aggregate in the asphalt pavement to reduce heat absorption.
• 3. During detailed design consideration should be given to identifying opportunities for increasing the urban tree cover to reduce heat impact.

8

Phase 2 - Built Environment

Drainage & Stormwater Management

Drainage

Durham’s TMP notes ‘there is growing concern over environmental issues related to road drainage and its impacts on receiving bodies of water, vegetation, soils and wildlife. Environment Canada has identified potentially harmful environmental effects related to road salt run-off. Other substances contained in road drainage and the erosion effects of unchecked water volumes also pose significant concerns. Increasingly, the severity of storms brought on by climate change is impacting the need for improved drainage and future-proofing infrastructure.’

Opportunities to improve drainage and mitigate environmental effects:

• 1. Include a variety of stormwater management techniques in the road design, including sewers,
• pen swales and optimize treatment through the stormwater management facility at

Beatrice Ave.

• 2. Use “best management” practices to mitigate the impacts of stormwater run-off.
• 3. The Region has developed a ‘Salt Management Plan’ to address effects from road salt run-off,

ensure the plan is considered during detailed design.

Low Impact Development (LID)

Low Impact Development (LID) is a design approach to managing stormwater run-off on-site by using landscape features to replicate natural watershed functions. The goal of LID is to mimic predevelopment hydrology by using design techniques that infiltrate, filter, store and detain runoff at or near its source such as pervious pavements, bioswales, and tree planting techniques. The ‘Durham Community Climate Adaptation Plan’ speaks to the Region implementing LID techniques, green infrastructure and programs to help reduce impervious surfaces.

Opportunities to introduce LIDs include:

1. Considering the use of bioswales and trench drains where appropriate e.g. the Multi Use Path. 2. Maintaining and adding drainage swales and ditches where feasible. 3. Tree planting where appropriate and feasible e.g. along the Multi Use Path incorporating enhanced planting trenches to allow for better growth.

9

Phase 2 - Built Environment

Drainage & Stormwater Management

Existing Drainage Condition

Currently the road drainage from Townline Road flows to the east by overland flow, driveways and poorly defined swales. The west side of Townline Road drains through shallow ditches and culverts to a cross-culvert located between Whitelaw Avenue and Beatrice Street.

Proposed Drainage Condition

Road drainage would be directed to a combination of storm sewers and roadside ditches to the stormwater management facility at Beatrice Ave. Providing roadside ditches where feasible encourages additional stormwater treatment prior to entering the existing stormwater management facility.

10

Phase 2 –Natural Environment

The Region’s focus for transportation projects is to encourage optimizing the use of the existing system, limiting the need for new infrastructure, especially in greenfield areas. The proposed road network aims to protect the Natural Heritage System for road reconstruction or widening projects by first avoiding impacts if possible, then minimizing, mitigating, and finally compensating for impacts to the Natural Heritage System. The Preliminary Preferred Solution addresses the objectives of the Region by: Avoiding impacts – No road widening is proposed within the Natural Heritage System. Mitigating impacts – No significant negative impact is anticipated by adding a TWLTL. There is potential benefit to the natural environment by improving drainage, reducing impacts from road salt and untreated stormwater by capturing the road drainage in a combination of storm sewers and roadside ditches, treating it in the stormwater management facility at Beatrice Street prior to being released to the nearby tributary of Harmony Creek.

11

Phase 2 –Socio-Economic Environment

Finance

Asset Management Plan

Two guiding principles of the Region’s Asset Management Plan for Transportation Infrastructure Assets are to: 1. Ensure roads are in good repair, and 2. Maintained in good condition Cost efficiencies can be realized by coordinating the installation of the sanitary sewer underground work with road rehabilitation/ reconstruction project.

Transportation Capital

The Region establishes a Transportation capital budget annually, the expansion of Townline Road from 2-3 Lanes for Townline Rd. from Pebblestone Rd. to Taunton Rd. is currently projected beyond 2031. Based on projected growth a third lane is not anticipated to be required until at minimum 2031. Coordinating the opportunity to add a third lane in the Study Area, where the majority of homes front Townline Road is a cost effective solution that in the interim will provide additional safety for the travelling public and residents along this portion of Townline Rd.

Property Requirements

1. No additional property needs have been identified to add the TWLTL. 2. Providing a platform for the multi Use Path on the west side of Townline Road may ultimately require property along portions of the west side of Townline

• Rd. The majority of the adjacent land is currently undeveloped and is designated residential as such any widening to accommodate the multi use path

may be obtained through future development applications. 3. The Region has identified a fire hydrant, hydro pole, guy wire and some private structures that are located with less than ideal setbacks from the existing travelled road based on TAC (Transportation Association of Canada) Roadside Design guidelines and MTO (Ministry of Transportation of Ontario) Roadside Design guidelines. Some of the infrastructure with less than ideal setbacks is located on private property and some of the structures are located within the existing Townline Road right of way.

Durham Region Traffic Noise Attenuation Policy

The addition of a TWLTL is not intended to increase traffic capacity, rather provide safer turning movements. It could be anticipated that should the TWLTL be installed noise levels may decrease resulting from less vehicle stops, starts and idling. Townline Road is currently posted for a speed of 60 km/h with a design speed of 80 km/h. The Region are considering reducing the posted speed to 50 km/h which can also have the effect of reducing traffic noise. 12