Report to/Rapport au:

Transportation and Transit Committee/

Comité des transport et des services de transport en commun

 

and Council/et au Conseil

10 June 2002/ le 10 juin 2002

 

Submitted by/Soumis par:  R.T. Leclair, General Manager/Directrice générale

Transportation, Utilities and Public Works/Transport, services et travaux publics

 

Contact/Personne-ressource:  Michael J. Flainek, P. Eng., Director/Directeur

Traffic and Parking Operations Branch/Circulation et Stationnement

Telephone 580-2424, extension 26882, Michael.Flainek@ottawa.ca

 

 

 

Ref N°:  ACS2002-TUP-TRF-0017

 

 

SUBJECT:     MAIN STREET TRANSPORTATION STUDY - IMPLEMENTATION OF MEASURES ON GREENFIELD AVENUE

 

 

OBJET:          ÉTUDE DU TRANSPORT DANS LA RUE MAIN – MISE EN OEUVRE DE MESURES VISANT L’AVENUE GREENFIELD

 

 

REPORT RECOMMENDATIONS:

 

That the Transportation and Transit Committee recommend Council approve:

 

1.                  Intersection narrowings on Greenfield Avenue at Montcalm Street;

2.                  The construction of a new concrete sidewalk on the east side of Greenfield Avenue between Concord Street and Montcalm Street;

3.                  Intersection and roadway narrowings on Greenfield Avenue at Concord Street, in the northeast, southeast and southwest quandrants;

4.                  The construction of a centre median and associated lane width reduction at the north leg of Greenfield Avenue and Concord Street intersection;

5.                  Removal of the channelized right turn and concrete island at the southeast corner of Greenfield Avenue and the Highway 417 (Queensway) westbound on-ramp; and,

6.                  The construction of a new concrete sidewalk on the east and south sides of Greenfield Avenue between the Highway 417 (Queensway) westbound on-ramp and King Edward Avenue, and the relocation of the existing centre median to allow for the new sidewalk.

 

RECOMMANDATIONS DU RAPPORT

 

Que le Comité des transports et des services de transport en commun recommande au Conseil municipal d’approuver :

 

1.                  le rétrécissement de l’intersection de l’avenue Greenfield et de la rue Montcalm;

2.                  la construction d’un nouveau trottoir en béton du côté est de l’avenue Greenfield entre la rue Concord et la rue Montcalm;

3.                  le rétrécissement de l’intersection et de la chaussée sur l’avenue Greenfield, à l’angle de la rue Concord, dans les secteurs nord-est, sud-est et sud-ouest;

4.                  la construction d’un terre-plein central et la réduction connexe de la largeur de la chaussée au tronçon nord de l’intersection de l’avenue Greenfield et de la rue Concord;

5.                  l’enlèvement du virage à droite à circulation dirigée et de l’îlot en béton à l’angle sud-est de l’avenue Greenfield et de la bretelle d’accès en direction ouest de l’autoroute 417 (Queensway); et,

6.                  La construction d’un nouveau trottoir en béton des côtés est et sud de l’avenue Greenfield, entre la bretelle d’accès en direction ouest de l’autoroute 417 (Queensway) et l’avenue King Edward, et le déplacement du terre-plein central existant en vue de l’aménagement du nouveau trottoir.

 

 

BACKGROUND

 

The former Regional Council approved the Main Street Transportation Study in June 2000. Council approved funding for the implementation of measures on Greenfield Avenue from Montcalm Street to King Edward Avenue on 11 July 2001 (see Annex 1 for Key Plan). This approval was subject to consultation with the Ward Councillor, and as required, subject to detailed public consultation, the Municipal Act and Environmental Assessment Act, detailed design, and technical circulation.  Applicable sections of the Study are included in Annex 2.  Detailed design is complete, and a Public Open House meeting and consultation with the Ward Councillor have occurred over the past year. Public notices, as required under provision of the Municipal Act, were placed in daily papers and one formal request to be heard at Transportation and Transit Committee was received. 

 

Due to the extent of some of the changes required from the original study and additional items identified through the detailed design process, this report presents the recommended measures for construction.  The purpose of this report is to obtain approval for implementation of measures related to the Main Street Transportation Study.  It is not intended to further examine or debate the study process or conclusions.

 

DISCUSSION

 

Recommendations 1, 2 and 3

 

The Main Street Transportation Study recommended intersection narrowings on Greenfield Avenue at Montcalm Street and on the south leg of Greenfield Avenue at Concord Street, as well as a concrete sidewalk on the east side of Greenfield Avenue between Montcalm Street to Concord Street. Staff are recommending that these measures be implemented.  However, staff are proposing that an additional narrowing be constructed at the northeast corner at Concord Street and Greenfield Avenue.  This narrowing, which was not mentioned in the original study, is intended to improve visibility at this corner, given the angle at which Concord Street intersects with Greenfield Avenue.  The proposed modifications are illustrated in Annexes 3A and 3B.

 

Recommendation 4

 

The original study recommended a twenty-five metre long centre median on the north leg of Greenfield Avenue at Concord Street, combined with a reduction in road width along the west curb line, requiring the removal of two on-street parking spaces. At the Public Open House meeting, staff recommended an alternate, with more substantial road width reduction on the west side of the road, in place of the proposed centre median.  However, the residents felt that a median would provide added safety for the pedestrians crossing the road at this location, as well as addressing speed of traffic on Greenfield Avenue, particularly in the southbound direction towards Main Street.  The Community Association was in unanimous support of the installation of the median.  Staff can support the original recommendation, and have revised the design presented at the Public Open House meeting to allow for the centre median, as originally recommended in the Main Street study.  See Annex 3B.

 

Recommendation 5

 

At Greenfield Avenue and the westbound on-ramp to Highway 417 (Queensway), an additional roadway modification is being proposed that was not mentioned in the original study.  The Study recommended the construction of a new sidewalk on Greenfield Avenue, as described below in Recommendation 6.  As part of the design work for this new sidewalk, staff reviewed the appropriateness of modifying this intersection.  It is recommended that the channelized right turn and associated concrete island at the southeast corner be removed, in order to reduce the overall pedestrian crossing distance.  The existing traffic control signal will be modified to provide for pedestrian crossings at this intersection.  This modification will not adversely affect the level of service at this intersection.  See Annex 3C.

 

Recommendation 6

 

On Greenfield Avenue, from the Highway 417 (Queensway) on-ramp to King Edward Avenue, the Main Street Study recommended a new concrete sidewalk on the east/south side of the street.  In order to construct this sidewalk and to retain the minimum acceptable road width, it is necessary to relocate the existing centre median. The sidewalk cannot be entirely placed at the back of the existing curb lines because of the existing retaining walls under the Nicholas Street and Transitway structures.  This was not addressed in the original study and costs to proceed with the sidewalk in this area are substantially more than the original report estimated.  See Annexes 3C and 3D.

 

 

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPLICATIONS

 

No environmental implications directly arise from approval of this report.

 

 

RURAL IMPLICATIONS

 

N/A

 

 

CONSULTATION

 

A Public Open House meeting was held on 9 April 2002. The Municipal Act, Section 300, requires that public notice of any modifications to the roadway be published in daily papers for four consecutive weeks.  The Municipal Act advertisements appeared in local papers from 26 April to 17 May 2002.  One formal request to be heard at Transportation and Transit Committee was received.  See Annex 4.

 

It should be noted that there have been minor alterations to some of the above modifications from the original Main Street Transportation Study. However, public consensus and support from the Ward Councillor has been obtained on the above modifications.

 

 

TRANSPORTATION MASTER PLAN 

 

Section 2.5.6 of the Transportation Master Plan, approved by the former Region, provides direction:

 

“Consider traffic calming measures as possible solutions to operational or safety problems stemming from excessive automobile speeds or poor driver behavior. In assessing the appropriateness of traffic calming measures on Regional and other roads several factors must be considered, such as:

 

·        impacts on public safety;

·        impacts on the functional role of the Regional road in serving regional mobility needs and providing access to adjacent land uses;

·        impacts on public and emergency services;

·        impacts on adjacent local roadways and neighborhoods;

·        liability where accepted design standards are not met; and,

cost.”

 

FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS

 

Funds totaling $135,000 were provided for in Internal Order 990685 - Area Traffic Management to cover the costs for Recommendations 1 to 5 to be implemented this year. However, additional funding will be required to implement Recommendation 6 and will be submitted as part of the 2003 Capital Budget.

 

The Surface Operations Branch requires additional annual funding in the amount of $8,500 to maintain the proposed roadway modifications. The funding is required to accommodate the additional winter maintenance, Spring cleaning, and life cycle (repair) costs. These funds will be identified in the 2003 Operating Budget.

 

 

ATTACHMENTS

 

Annex 1:     Key Plan

Annex 2:     Excerpts From Main Street Transportation Study

Annex 3A:  Proposed Intersection Modifications on Greenfield Avenue

                       and Montcalm Street

ANNEX 3B:  Proposed Intersection Modifications on Greenfield

                       Avenue and Concord Street

ANNEX 3C:  Proposed Intersection Modifications on Greenfield Avenue

                       and 417 Ramp

ANNEX 3D:  Proposed Intersection Modifcations on Greenfield Avenue

                       and King Edward Avenue

ANNEX 4:     Public Consultation Process

 

 

DISPOSITION

 

Recommendations 1 to 6

 

Staff of the Transportation, Utilities and Public Works Department to implement the narrowings, intersection modifications, sidewalks and relocation of the centre median on Greenfield Avenue, between Montcalm Street and King Edward Avenue.

ANNEX 1

KEY PLAN

 


Annex 2
 
Excerpts from Main Street Transportation Study

No

Location

Recommended Measues

Cost

$

Stage
35
Greenfield Avenue

Construct a sidewalk (2m) on the south side of Greeenfield Avenue (between Montcalm Street and Concord Street).

 

This would improve pedestrian mobility and safety.

7,000

2

36

Greenfield Avenue

Consider widening the existing sidewalks to (2.0m) on both sides of Greenfield Avenue (between Concord Street and the overhead bridge structure to the east).

 

The existing sidewalks along this portion of Greenfield Avenue are 1.5m.  Wider sidewalks would improve pedestrian safety in this relatively high volume/high speed section of Greenfield Avenue.  The need for this measure should be reviewed following the action taken in Items 37 and 39.

35,000

2

38

Greenfield Avenue and Montcalm Street

Construct curb extensions (2m) at the southeast, southwest, and northwest corners of the intersection to protect on-street parking areas and reduce the pedestrian crossing distance.

 

A speed survey conducted on Greenfield Avenue between Concord Street and Montcalm Street indicated an average vehicle speed of 54 km/h.  The 85th percentile speed was found to be 61 km/h.  At the time of design, consider locating bollards in the curb extension to improve the protection of pedestrians and cyclists waiting to cross the street. 

 

Vehicles currently park on the south side of Greenfield Avenue between Montcalm Street and Concord Street (parking is not permitted on the north side along this street).

5,000 x 3 =

15,000

 

2
40
Greenfield Avenue and Concord Street

Construct curb extensions at the southeast and southwest corners of the intersection and construct a narrow centre median (1.5m) on the north leg of Greenfield Avenue.

 

These measures will help to reduce the amount of pavement, protect the on-street parking, reduce pedestrian crossing distances and better define traffic flow through this intersection.

 

A speed survey conducted on Concord Street at Greenfield Avenue indicated an average vehicle speed of 57 km/h.  The 85th percentile speed was found to be 65 km/h.  At the time of design, consider locating bollards in the curb extension to improve the protection of pedestrians and cyclists waiting to cross the street.  One or two parking spaces would be lost on the north side of Greenfield Avenue.

15,000

2

 

Annex 3A

 

Proposed Intersection Modifications on Greenfield Avenue AND MONTCALM STREET

Annex 3B

 

Proposed Intersection Modifications on Greenfield Avenue and concord street

Annex 3C

 

Proposed Intersection Modifications on Greenfield Avenue and 417 ramp

Annex 3D

 

Proposed Intersection Modifications on Greenfield Avenue and king edward avenue

Annex 4

 

Public Consultation Process

 

Input to the proposed modifications was obtained largely through one Public Open House meeting on 9 April 2002 at the Old Town Hall on Main Street.  Approximately 50 people attended the Open House Meeting.  Ward Councillor Clive Doucet was also present.   Comments received are as noted below, and staff responses have been provided (in italics):

 

·        Suggested that a pedestrian crossing be constructed on the east leg of Greenfield Avenue/Concord Street intersection: Staff cannot recommend, as this is not a controlled interection. 

 

·        Suggested addition of illuminated caution signs located on approach from King Edward Avenue/Greenfield Avenue intersection to reduce speeds on grade change (two comments): Staff to review and determine if required.

 

·        Commented that visibility at Concord Street/Greenfield Avenue intersection is poor: Staff are recommending an intersection narrowing at this corner to improve visibility.

 

·        Suggested that stop signs and/or lights be added at Concord Street/Greenfield Avenue intersection (two comments): This issue was included in the staff submission to the former Regional Council, and the decision was not to implement any additional traffic control (all-way stop or traffic signal) at this location.  As the purpose of this report is to obtain approval on physical changes to the roadway, further discussion on this issue is not included in this report.  The roadway modifications are designed such that it does not preclude any future option with respect to the method of traffic control at this intersection.

 

·        Suggested that a centre median be installed on east leg of the Concord Street/Greenfield Avenue intersection (nine comments): Staff concur and a median is now being recommended.

 

·        Approval of lane widths at the Concord Street/Greenfield Avenue intersection: Staff to implement proposed modifications.

 

·        Suggested that speed humps be considered (two comments): Speed humps are being implemented where such a recommendation is part of an approved study. Traffic Calming Guidelines are currently being prepared by staff to develop technical warrants for the use of speed humps to be implemented.

 

·        Request for more police enforcement (two comments): The measures proposed are to address speeding issues such that the need for additional enforcement is minimized.

 

·        Request to remove on street parking near 130 Greenfield Avenue: Staff to review.

 

·        Noticed that accidents at Main Street/Greenfield Avenue may be due to line of sight: Staff to review.

 

·        Concerned that slowing on Greenfield Avenue will cause more cut through traffic on Concord Street/Harvey Street (two comments): The recommended measures are intended to address the speed of traffic and will not cause additional cut through traffic.

 

·        Noted discontent with removed parking spaces in front of Legion: Parking spaces are a visibility issues for cars exiting Concord Street, the removal of these spaces was recommended in the report.

 

·        Recommended that narrowing at Concord Street/Greenfield Avenue (southwest corner) be extended further still: The proposed narrowing is designed to current standards and further extension will mean the removal of additional parking spaces.

 

·        Request to have snow fences removed from Greenfield Avenue: The snow fence will be removed given the proposed sidewalk at this location.

 

·        Suggested that Greenfield should be widened at Concord to prevent back up from left turning vehicles: Left turns lanes are not warranted at this locations.  This is contrary to the Study recommendation.

 

One request to be heard at TTC was received from the Municipal Act Advertisement that appeared in the daily newspapers from 26 April to 24 May 2002.  The concerned resident stated, “I request an opportunity to express my concerns and issues regarding Greenfield work as proposed.”  As no specific issues were raised by the resident, staff are not able to provide comments at this time.