Report to/Rapport au :
Comité des transports
14 November
2011 / le 14 novembre 2011
Submitted by/Soumis par : Nancy Schepers,
Deputy City Manager, Directrice municipale adjointe, Infrastructure
Services and Community Sustainability, Services
d'infrastructure et Viabilité des collectivités
Contact/Personne ressource:
Vivi Chi, Manager/Gestionnaire, Transportation Planning/Planification
des transports, Planning and Growth Management/Urbanisme
et Gestion de la croissance
(613) 580-2424 x
21877, Vivi.Chi@ottawa.ca
REPORT RECOMMENDATION
That the Transportation Committee approve the Statement of Work for the
proposed Barrhaven - Riverside South Rapid Transit (Barrhaven Town Centre to
Leitrim Park and Ride) Planning and Environmental Assessment Study, as detailed
in Document 1.
RECOMMANDATION DU RAPPORT
Que le Comité des transports
approuve l’énoncé des travaux de l’étude de planification et d’évaluation
environnementale proposée pour le transport en commun rapide entre Barrhaven et
Riverside-Sud (du centre d’activité de Barrhaven au parc-o-bus Leitrim), comme
l’explique le document 1.
BACKGROUND
The 2008 Transportation Master Plan (TMP) update has identified Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) as the preferred technology between Barrhaven Town Centre (TC) and Riverside South TC, and Light Rail Transit (LRT) from Riverside South TC to the Leitrim Park and Ride and further north (Figure 1).
This plan differs from the 2003 TMP, which identified LRT for the entire line from Barrhaven TC to downtown. The right-of-way requirements and the impacts of BRT are different from that of LRT. At the Ontario Municipal Board (OMB) appeal hearing for the Official Plan Amendment No. 76, at the request of the Riverside South Development Corporation, the City agreed to complete the necessary studies to identify the right-of-way through the Riverside South community by the end of 2012, or soon thereafter.
The City has confirmed with the Ministry of
Environment the need to carry out an Environmental Assessment (EA) to identify
and reserve the required right-of-way to accommodate the bus technology and the
transfer facilities between BRT and LRT (see Document 2).
DISCUSSION
The North-South Corridor LRT Project EA report from Rideau Centre to Barrhaven TC was completed and approved by the Ministry of the Environment on 19 June 2006. In the 2008 TMP, the transit technology along the section between Barrhaven TC and Riverside South TC was re‑designated from LRT to BRT. Due to this change of technology, the required right-of-way is likely to increase, especially at transit stations and at the connection point between BRT and LRT. The implementation time line has been also moved from 2009 to Phase 2 (close to the end of the 2031 planning horizon), thus there is a potential need for interim solutions. Due to these changes, the Ministry of the Environment requires the City to carry out a new Environmental Assessment (EA) Study.
Study Area Leitrim P&R Barrhaven TC Riverside South TC
Figure 1: Study Area
The right-of-way identified in the
North-South Corridor LRT EA is 30 m in the study area, which was reduced to 20
m between Rideau River and Earl Armstrong Road through an agreement between the
City and the Riverside South Development Corporation. The 20 m right-of-way may
not be sufficient for BRT (the typical right-of-way is 40 m) especially at
stations and at transfer points between BRT and LRT. There are two potential
transfer points, according to the 2008 TMP update: the ultimate transfer point is at Riverside
South TC, approximately 200 m west of Limebank Road,
and a second transfer point may be required at the Leitrim Park and Ride.
At the OMB appeal hearing for the Official Plan Amendment No. 76, the Riverside South Development Corporation questioned the basis for the additional right-of-way in the Riverside South area. Through discussions, it was agreed that the City would undertake a study in order to identify:
· Property requirements for BRT stations along the Transitway between Limebank Road and the Rideau River;
· Land requirements, both size and location, to accommodate the BRT-LRT transfer station to the west of Limebank Road, and as part of this work, a review of the size and location of the Park and Ride facility proposed on the east and west sides of Limebank Road to serve this BRT-LRT station; and
· LRT station requirements, particularly north of Earl Armstrong Road, with respect to drainage and station platform size and pedestrian circulation needs.
The Riverside South Development Corporation expects that, as a result of this work, there may be minor changes to the land use plan, e.g. lotting /street pattern of the Riverside South Community Design Plan (CDP), and will require an amendment to the CDP. Similarly, the potential impacts of technology change on the Barrhaven community and the South Nepean Town Centre Community Design Plan will be addressed. The study will not reconsider the alignment of the rapid transit BRT/LRT corridor within the Riverside South Community that was already identified in the 2006 North South LRT Corridor EA, as well as in the Community Design Plan (2010) that was developed in consultation with the Riverside South Development Corporation.
Work will begin on the planning phase in early 2012 and will be followed by the formal six months Transit Project Assessment process. The information required by the OMB decision, regarding the right-of-way and other aspects of the project, will be available for Council’s consideration before the end of 2012. The formal EA approval process is expected to be completed by mid 2013.
If the right-of-way is not protected through an Environmental Assessment, the City will not be in a position to protect the required corridor for future BRT and transfer facilities.
Concurrent to this study, there is an O-Train feasibility study looking at the potential of extending the O-Train from Greenboro Station to Leitrim Park and Ride and to Riverside South. The results of Council direction on the O-Train report will inform this EA study.
The study will examine and evaluate the project’s effects on social, cultural, physical, and natural environments within the study area. Appropriate mitigation measures will be developed and post mitigation environmental impacts will also be determined.
N/A
Consultation with stakeholders, public agents, and individuals will be an integral component of the EA study. The consultation process will include meetings with key stakeholders through the Agency Consultation Group, Public Consultation Group, and Business Consultation Group. Consultation with the general public will occur principally through Public Open House and also through the project web page, e-mail, and additional meetings as required.
Ward 3 (Councillor Harder):
As is the case with adjustments
to the Riverside South CDP may be considered or needed so is the case with the
South Nepean Town Centre Community Design Plan approved in 2006. Also the Riverside South Development
Corporation expects that as a result of this work there may be minor changes to
the land use plan, e.g. lotting /street pattern, of
the Riverside South Community Design Plan (CDP), and will require an amendment
to the CDP. I expect same considerations for Barrhaven.
Ward 20 (Councillor Thompson):
“I am aware of and have read the report.”
Ward 22 (Councillor Desroches):
“The Councillor is aware of the report.”
There are no legal impediments to implementing the recommendation of this report.
There are no risk implications.
The recommendation contained herein aims to support the following Strategic Directions adopted by Council:
Transportation and
Mobility
TM1 – Ensure sustainable transit services
TM2 – Maximize density in and around transit stations
TM3 – Provide infrastructure to support mobility choices
TM4 – Promote alternative mobility choices
Funding for this environmental assessment study is available under capital account 905184 Rapid Transit EA Studies.
The design of stations and transfer facilities will conform to City policies regarding accessibility.
Document 1 Barrhaven - Riverside South Rapid Transit
(Barrhaven Town Centre to Leitrim Park and Ride) Planning and Environmental
Assessment Study
Document 2 Correspondence with Ministry of the Environment
Following Committee approval of the attached Statement of Work, the selection of consultants will commence. A call for proposal will be undertaken with the assistance of the Supply Management Branch.
The City of Ottawa is the proponent of the Barrhaven - Riverside South Rapid Transit (BRRT) (Barrhaven Town Centre to Leitrim Park and Ride) Environmental Assessment Study. The 2008 TMP update has identified two different rapid transit technologies in the study are:
· Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) between Barrhaven Town Centre (Barrhaven TC) and Riverside South Town Centre (Riverside South TC)
· Light Rail Transit (LRT) from Riverside South TC to Leitrim Park and Ride and further north.
The 2008 TMP rapid transit plan differs from the 2003 TMP. The 2003 TMP identified LRT as the preferred technology for the entire line from Barrhaven TC to downtown. Based on the 2003 TMP, an Individual Environmental Assessment was completed for the North-South Corridor LRT Project (Rideau Centre to Barrhaven TC). Due to technology change between Barrhaven TC to Riverside South TC, and due to the potential need for interim BRT from Riverside South TC to Leitrim Park and Ride, a new Environmental Assessment (EA) is required; the right-of-way (ROW) requirements and the impacts are different for BRT and LRT. The study will not reconsider the general alignment of the rapid transit BRT/LRT corridor defined in the North-South Corridor LRT EA.
Although the implementation of the BRT from Riverside South TC to Barrhaven TC is a Phase 2 project in the 2008 TMP update, there is a requirement for a new EA now to identify and protect the potentially larger ROW for the transit corridor.
The Study will be based on the background
material from the previous North-South Corridor LRT Environmental Assessment.
The North-South Corridor LRT Project EA
report from Rideau Centre to Barrhaven TC was completed and approved by the
Ministry of the Environment on 19 June 2006. Project completion was planned for
2009, thus no interim implementation solutions were identified.
However, the rapid transit network has
been changed in the 2008 TMP and priority has been given to an east-west LRT
connection from Blair to Tunney’s Pasture by using a downtown tunnel.
Another change in the 2008 TMP is the
replacement of the LRT technology between Barrhaven TC and Riverside South TC
from LRT to BRT. The O-Train continues to operate between Bayview
and Greenboro, and following Transit Commission
direction of 18 May 2011, the City is investigating the feasibility of
extending the O-Train service to Leitrim Park and Ride and Riverside South TC.
Due to the required right of way change and the potential need for interim bus operation in the corridor to connect Riverside South TC to Leitrim Park and Ride, the Ministry of the Environment is requiring the City to carry out a new Environmental Assessment (EA) Study.
The right-of-way identified in the
North South Corridor LRT EA in the study area is 30 m, which was reduced to 20
m between Rideau River and Earl Armstrong Road through an agreement between the
City and the Riverside South Development Corporation. The 20 m right-of-way may
not be sufficient for BRT (the typical right-of-way is 40 m) especially at
stations and at transfer points between BRT and LRT. There are two potential
transfer points, according to the 2008 TMP update. The ultimate transfer point
is at Riverside South TC, approximately 200 m west of Limebank
Road, and another interim transfer point may be required at the Leitrim Park and
Ride.
At the OMB appeal hearing for the Official Plan Amendment No. 76, the Riverside South Development Corporation questioned the basis for additional right-of-way in the Riverside South area. Through discussion, the City agreed to undertake a study in order to identify:
· Property requirements for the BRT stations along the Transitway between Limebank Road and the Rideau River;
· Land requirements, both size and location, to accommodate the BRT-LRT transfer station to the west of Limebank Road, and as part of this work a review of the size and location of the Park and Ride facility proposed on the east and west sides of Limebank Road to serve this BRT-LRT station; and
· LRT station requirements, particularly north of Earl Armstrong Road with respect to drainage and station platform size and pedestrian circulation needs.
The Riverside South Development Corporation expects that as a result of this work there may be minor changes to the land use plan, e.g. lotting /street pattern, of the Riverside South Community Design Plan (CDP), and will require an amendment to the CDP. Similarly, the potential impacts of technology change on the Barrhaven community and the South Nepean Town Centre Community Design Plan will be addressed.
The Study will have two phases: the planning phase and the formal Environmental Assessment (EA) phase. The EA will be consistent with the requirements set out in the Ontario Environmental Assessment Act (OEAA) and the Transit Project Assessment Process (Regulation 231/08). The project will also comply with the requirements of the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act (CEAA) considering the potential implication of Federal and National Capital Commission properties, the potential requirements for Federal permits and funding.
In addition, the Ontario Secretariat for Aboriginal Affairs and Indian and Northern Affairs Canada will be contacted to review any First Nations issues or ongoing claims within the Study area. Recognizing the federal role in this regard, the Study will ensure appropriate coordination with federal authorities pursuant to the 2008 federal guidelines on “Aboriginal Consultation and Accommodation”. Direct consultation with affected First Nations will also be carried out as appropriate.
The primary study area is shown in
Figure 1. The north east corner of the study area is defined by the Leitrim
Park and Ride and the western limit of the area is Barrhaven Town Centre.
Study Area Riverside South TC Barrhaven TC Leitrim P&R
Figure 2: Study Area
Some tasks may require examination of a broader area beyond these limits in order to address environmental impacts, operational issues, to coordinate with relevant on-going studies and projects, to study possible future network connections. Therefore, the Study Area will be confirmed early in the study process, informed by consultation with stakeholders and the public.
It is estimated that this Study could be completed within 12 months from the award of the contract. Work will begin on the planning phase in early 2012 and will be followed by the formal six months Transit Project Assessment process. The information required by the OMB decision, regarding the ROW and other aspects of the project, must be completed before the end of 2012. The formal EA approval process is expected to be completed by mid 2013.
The Study will take into consideration
any information including analysis and preliminary findings of concurrent
on-going transportation, development, and infrastructure projects that could
influence the direction and/or conclusions of the Study. These projects
include:
· O-Train Extension (from Greenboro to Leitrim/ Riverside South TC) feasibility study;
· Riverside South Community Design Plan;
· LRT vehicle specifications for the OLRT.
·
Impacts
of technology change from LRT to BRT on right-of-way requirements, air quality,
noise and vibration;
·
Required
transit operational performance to achieve transit and planning objectives of
this primary rapid transit corridor;
·
Pedestrian
and bicycle access and circulation at stations;
·
Provision
of continuous multi-use pathways along the rapid transit line;
·
Stormwater
management and drainage;
·
Provision
of Park and Rides; and
·
Cost effective
incremental implementation techniques.
In order to expedite sustainable transportation solutions, Ontario’s EA Regulation 231/08 for Transit Projects allows the City to rely on relevant past analyses (such as the 2008 TMP) to justify public transit projects. The 2008 TMP has identified the need for this project and has also determined the most appropriate technology. The Need and Justification section of the EA will be based on the TMP direction.
An inventory of the social, economic
(agricultural, employment, retail etc.), physical and natural environments
within the study area will be compiled. The inventory will identify and
describe those aspects of the environment that could potentially affect, or be
affected by the undertaking. The
inventory will be based on the background material from the previous
North-South Corridor LRT Environmental Assessment and where necessary, supplement
this information through on‑site surveys and/or detailed studies.
Detailed alignment and cross-section design alternatives, including station locations and layouts will be identified based on a consideration of any constraints within the study area, input from the Study Team, key stakeholders, Consultation Groups, and accepted rapid transit guidelines, standards, and practices. The study will identify the impacts of each alternative design as well as the enhancement opportunities.
Developing an accurate project baseline
budget (Class D cost estimate) is an essential component of this study and it
will contribute to the City’s short and long range capital budget forecasting,
priority setting, and development charges strategy. The baseline budget will be
developed using a Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) format in current dollars, and
include contingency allowances.
Following the evaluation of the alternative designs using the above-noted detailed evaluation criteria, and after determining all necessary mitigation measures to minimize any adverse impacts of the project, the study team, with input from key stakeholders, the Consultation Groups, landowners and review agencies, will propose and document a preferred alternative design, which will be presented at the Public Open House.
Upon receipt and incorporation of public feedback, the preferred alternative design will then be developed to a sufficient level of detail as required to produce a functional design plan that is adequate for submissions for project approvals and to establish a complete scope of work, project budget and implementation schedule for the entire project.
Consultation with public agencies,
private groups, City Advisory Committees and individuals is an integral
component of this Study. The
consultation process will include meetings with key stakeholders through an
Agency Consultation Group (ACG), a Public/Business Consultation Group (P/BCG),
and the general public through Public Open Houses. Representation on the ACG
and P/BCG will be confirmed during the development of the Study Design and in
consultation with Ward Councillors.
An Agency Consultation Group (ACG) will
be formed to provide input on planning, engineering, environmental, issues and
will provide general guidance to the Study Team. ACG members will include experts in their
related fields from government agencies and approval bodies. The ACG will meet at key stages throughout
the study. Direct one-on-one consultation with other Agency groups may be
necessary as specific issues arise during the course of the study.
A Public/Business Consultation Group (P/BCG)
will be formed to enable community associations and businesses to provide
direct input to the study, advising and commenting on local issues and
concerns. P/BCG members will include
representatives from local community associations, special interest groups,
City of Ottawa Advisory Committees and adjacent property owners. Membership of
this group will be determined in consultation with affected Ward Councillors.
Public Open House will be held as required and in accordance with the Environmental Assessment Act. All material presented at the POH meetings will be bilingual. A summary report will be produced to document including all comments received.
A Project Information Web Page for the
Study will be established on the City’s external web site to inform the public
of the progress of the study and upcoming meetings or activities and provide a
point of contact for e-mail correspondence.
A Master Mailing List for the project will be established at the study outset and updated throughout the course of the project. The Mailing List will be updated via general enquires, e‑mails and other forms of consultation.
The final study findings, the Recommended Plan, and the public input will be presented to the Transportation Committee and Council for approval.
The public will be notified of the
Study Commencement, Public Open House, and Study Completion. Notifications will be sent out at appropriate
stages in the Study, and announcement will take one or more of the following
forms:
· Advertisements in daily newspapers (The Ottawa Citizen and Le Droit);
· The project web site on the City’s web portal; and
· E-mail to individuals on the Project Master Mailing List.
CORRESPONDENCE WITH THE
MINISTRY
OF ENVIRONMENT DOCUMENT
2
From: Desautels,
Solange (ENE) [Solange.Desautels@ontario.ca]
Sent: November 07, 2011 4:48 PM
To: Mucsi, Kornel
Subject: RE: Changes to the North-South
Corridor LRT EA
Further
to your November 4, 2011 e-mail and my subsequent discussions with Frank
McKinney about changes to the approved North-South LRT Project (Rideau Centre
to Barrhaven Town Centre) individual Environmental
Assessment (EA), the following comments are provided.
In
general, the ministry’s position is that a change in technology is considered
to be a new undertaking consistent with section 12 of the Environmental
Assessment Act (EAA) which indicates that a change in the approved
undertaking is a new undertaking requiring approval under the EAA. New
technology represents different environmental effects and different proposed
infrastructure for the project. While not indicated, the proposed changes
appear to be associated with a fairly substantial section of transit facility.
The
transit regulation is now what applies to a public transit project in
In
general, amending procedures in an individual EA are meant to provide some
flexibly with respect to changes to the design of the undertaking. The
purpose of providing amending procedures is usually in recognition of possible
design changes which may occur associated with the long build out of these types
of facilities. It is also recognized that in this EA that major
amendments included decisions by the Minister with a process similar to an
individual EA with respect to having public and agency consultation (two
notices with 30-day comment periods), documentation of the change through an
Addendum and revisions to the EA and that the assessment and mitigation of
effects would also include considering alternatives and would be reviewed by
the ministry. No timelines are associated with the review or preparation
of an addendum under this process. It is noted that this amending
procedure lacks clarity and is contradictory in several respects but does not
appear to provide a streamlined process for major amendments and requires a
case by case review.
If
you have any further questions in this regard, please do not hesitate to
contact the undersigned.
Yours Truly
Solange Desautels
Solange Desautels, Senior Project
Coordinator
EA Project Coordination Section
Environmental Assessment and Approvals Branch
Ministry of the Environment
Ph: (416) 314-8360
Fax: (416) 314-8452
From: Mucsi, Kornel [mailto:Kornel.Mucsi@ottawa.ca]
Sent: November 04, 2011 6:12 PM
To: Desautels, Solange
(ENE)
Cc: McKinney, Frank
Subject: Changes to the North-South Corridor LRT EA
Dear Solange
Desautels,
As discussed in your telephone
conversation with Frank McKinney, I am requesting information regarding the
Environmental Assessment process.
The proposed project is in the
City of
The rapid transit corridor
between Barrhaven TC and Leitrim P& R has been part of the North-South
Corridor LRT Project (Rideau Centre to Barrhaven Town Centre) Environmental
Assessment Study approved by the MOE on 19 June 2006. The original EA has
foreseen Light Rail Transit technology along the entire corridor.
The City’s 2008 Transportation
Master Plan identified the section between Barrhaven Town Centre and Riverside
South Town Centre as a Bus Rapid Transit corridor (blue line on the
illustration) . This represents a change in
technology. Furthermore, the implementation of LRT from Riverside South Town
Centre to Leitrim P&R has been moved further in the future due to financial
realities, thus there could be a need to implement an interim bus solution
between Riverside South Town Centre and Leitrim Park & Ride.
The North-South Corridor LRT EA
identifies technology change as a major change and indicates that, at the
discretion of the Director EAAB, it may necessitate a new approval rather than
an amendment to the existing EA.
The City
would prefer to pursue the approval for the technology change and
interim bus operation as an addendum to the existing EA. The transit
corridor alignment is not going to change, and many elements required for an EA
were already addressed during the North-South LRT Corridor EA Study. The addendum
would address those elements that are different for BRT. Some of these elements
are the required right-of-way, drainage and storm water management, impact on
air, noise and vibration.
The addendum process would be
more cost efficient and could be completed in a shorter time. In combination
with the existing EA, it would address all the required issues.
In summary, the City of
Regards,
Kornel Mucsi, Ph.D., P.Eng.
Senior Project Manager
City of Ottawa
Transportation Planning, Environmental Assessments
110
Tel: 613 580 2424 x 12503
Fax: 613 580 2578
Kornel.Mucsi@ottawa.ca