Report to/Rapport au:
Transportation and Transit Committee/
Comité des transport et des
services de transport en commun
and Council/et au Conseil
17 June 2002/ le 17 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
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Ref N°: ACS2002-TUP-TRF-0019 |
SUBJECT: WOODROFFE AVENUE TRANSPORTATION STUDY -
IMPLEMENTATION OF MEASURES ON WOODROFFE AVENUE AND FAIRLAWN AVENUE
OBJET: ÉTUDE DU TRANSPORT
DANS L’AVENUE WOODROFFE - MISE EN OEUVRE DE MESURES DANS L’AVENUE
WOODROFFE ET L’AVENUE FAIRLAWN
REPORT
RECOMMENDATIONS:
That the Transportation and
Transit Committee recommend Council approve:
1. On Fairlawn Avenue, between Lenester Avenue and Carling
Avenue:
a) The removal of the
channelized right turn lane and concrete island at the northeast corner of
Fairlawn Avenue and Lenester Avenue;
b) The reduction in
width of Fairlawn Avenue, between Lenester Avenue and Fox Crescent from
approximately 14.5 metres to 11.0 metres;
c) The construction of a
3.5 metre centre concrete median and the narrowing of the northbound lane from
7.5 metres to 4.5 metre on Fairlawn Avenue from Fox Crescent to a point 70
metres south of Carling Avenue;
d) The retention of
existing lane arrangement (left, through, through/right) on Fairlawn Avenue,
northbound, from the entrance to the Fairlawn Plaza to Carling Avenue;
2.
On Woodroffe Avenue, between Saville Row and Byron
Avenue:
a)
The reduction in road width on Woodroffe
Avenue from a point 40 metres north of Saville Row to Knightsbridge Road from
approximately 10.5 metres to 9.0 metres, to provide for a new boulevard on east
side between the road and sidewalk.
a)
b)
The extention of the centre median on Woodroffe Avenue
at Byron Avenue by 20 metres to the south;
3.
At the intersection of Woodroffe Avenue and Richmond
Road:
a)
Roadway modifications to provide for
standard through and left turn lanes (widening south of Richmond Road and
narrowing north of Richmond Road) on Woodroffe Avenue from Knightsbridge Road
to a point 100 metres north of Richmond Road. ;
a)
b)
Removal of the eastbound right turn lane on Richmond
Road, to Woodroffe Avenue, and retention of the concrete island/channel in the
southeast quadrant of the intersection.
4.
On Woodroffe Avenue from Richmond Road to the Ottawa
River Parkway:
a) The replacement of
the existing asphalt sidewalk on the east side with a new concrete sidewalk;
b) That rumble strips or
colour pressed asphalt NOT be implemented on Woodroffe Avenue at the NCC
multi-use pathway; and,
c) Subject to NCC
concurrence, the construction of roadway narrowings on both the east side and
west side of Woodroffe Avenue, at the intersection with the NCC multi-use
pathway.
RECOMMANDATIONS
DU RAPPORT
Que le Comité des transports
et des services de transport en commun recommande au Conseil municipal
d’approuver :
1. Avenue Fairlawn, entre l’avenue Lenester et l’avenue Carling
:
a) l’enlèvement du tourne-à-droite et de
l’îlot en béton à l’angle nord-est de l’avenue Fairlawn et de l’avenue Lenester;
c)
la réduction de la largeur de l’avenue Fairlawn, entre
l’avenue Lenester et le croissant Fox, de 14,5 mètres à 11,0 mètres environ;
d)
la construction d’un terre-plein central en béton de 3,5
mètres et le rétrécissement de la voie en direction nord de 7,5 mètres à 4,5 mètres dans l’avenue
Fairlawn, du croissant Fox à un point situé à 70 mètres au sud de l’avenue
Carling;
e)
le maintien de la configuration routière existante (gauche,
circulation de transit, circulation de transit/droite) dans l’avenue Fairlawn, depuis l’entrée de la place
Fairlawn jusqu’à l’avenue Carling.
2.
Avenue Woodroffe, entre la rue Saville et l’avenue Byron :
a)
la réduction de la largeur de la chaussée de l’avenue
Woodroffe, depuis un point situé à 40 mètres au nord de la rue Saville jusqu’au chemin Knightsbridge, de 10,5
mètres à 9,0 mètres environ, en vue de l’aménagement d’un nouvel accotement du
côté est, entre la chaussée et le trottoir;
b)
le prolongement du terre-plein central dans l’avenue
Woodroffe, à l’angle de l’avenue Byron, de 20
mètres au sud.
3.
Intersection de l’avenue Woodroffe et du chemin Richmond :
a) des
modifications de la chaussée afin d’obtenir des voies de circulation de transit
et des tourne-à-gauche de largeur standard (élargissement au sud du chemin
Richmond et rétrécissement au nord du chemin Richmond) dans l’avenue Woodroffe,
du chemin Knightsbridge à un point situé à 100 mètres au nord du chemin
Richmond;
b) l’enlèvement du
tourne-à-droite en direction est dans le chemin Richmond vers l’avenue Woodroffe
et le maintien de la voie à circulation dirigée/îlot en béton au sud-est de
l’intersection.
4.
Avenue Woodroffe, du chemin Richmond à la promenade des
Outaouais :
a) le
remplacement du trottoir en asphalte existant du côté est par un nouveau
trottoir en béton;
b)
que les zones striées ou colorées NE soient PAS mises en
application dans l’avenue Woodroffe, à la hauteur du sentier à usage multiple
de la CCN;
c)
sous réserve de l’approbation de la CCN, la construction de
dispositifs de rétrécissement de la chaussée
des côtés est et ouest de l’avenue Woodroffe, à l’intersection du sentier de la
CCN.
BACKGROUND
The former Regional Council approved the original Woodroffe Avenue Transportation Study in September 2000. Council approved funding for the implementation of measures on Woodroffe Avenue from Saville Row to the Ottawa River Parkway and Fairlawn Avenue from Lenester Avenue to Carling Avenue on 11 July 2001 (see Key Plan, Annex 1). 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.
Detailed design is complete, and two Public Open House meetings 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 no objections were 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 recommendations of the Study were conceptual in scope, and many details, such as the width of road, crosswalk locations, turning lanes, etc. were not addressed in detail. The purpose of this report is to obtain approval for implementation of roadway measures related to the Woodroffe Avenue Transportation Study. It is not intended to further examine or debate the study process or conclusions.
DISCUSSION
Recommendation
1
This recommendation pertains to the section of Fairlawn Avenue between Lenester Avenue and Carling Avenue.
Recommendation 1a) pertains to
the removal of the existing concrete island and right-turn channel at Fairlawn
Avenue and Lenester Avenue, to reduce the overall pedestrian crossing distance
at the intersection. This item was not
addressed in the original report. At the Public Open
House, comments on this proposal wasere split, with nine comments to
retain the channelized right turn and island, and six in favor of removing it. The proposed design of the intersection results in pedestrian
crossing distances of slightly longer length than the main part of the existing
crossing, but the second crossing (across the channelized right turn) is
eliminated. Removal of the island is more in keeping with
typical residential street design.
See Annex 2A.
Recommendations 1b) and 1c) are
intended to address concerns about the amount of traffic using Fairlawn Avenue
between Carling Avenue and Lenester Avenue. The original Study recommended that
the existing painted median on this section of roadway be replaced with a
mountable, colour pressed asphalt centre median. The purpose of the median was
to visually and physically narrow the street, while still providing full access
to all residential driveways. After
further review and additional consultation, staff proposed an alternative, to
narrow the roadway on both sides of the street (Lenester Avenue to Fox
Crescent) by approximately 1.85 metres. This
design would create a narrowed roadway of typical width for this type of road,
from 14.0 metres to 11.0 metres, while accommodating and balancing the needs of
transit, cyclists and parking. Two shared vehicle and bicycle lanes of 4.25 metres
and a parking lane of 2.5 metres would be provided. See Annexes 2A and 2B.
From Fox Crescent to the entrance to the Fairlawn Plaza, a 3.5 metre
raised concrete median is recommended, with two 4.5 metre lanes. Parking is not
permitted in this section. See Annex
2B.
At Fairlawn Avenue and Carling Avenue, the Study recommended the existing three northbound lanes (left turn lane, through lane, and shared through/right turn lane), be reduced to two (single northbound left turn lane, single northbound thru/shared right turn lane). However, a detailed review revealed that significant queues of traffic are likely to result, blocking access to and from the commercial driveway at the Fairlawn Plaza. There was considerable public comment and concern expressed at the Public Open House meetings on this issue. Staff Recommendation 1d) is to leave the northbound three-lane configuration as is, from the Fairlawn Plaza to Carling Avenue. See Annex 2B.
Recommendation 2
This recommendation pertains to
the section of Woodroffe Avenue between
Saville Row and just south of Richmond Road.
With respect to road width, the
Study proposed two design options for this section of Woodroffe Avenue, subject
to further consultation, to address concerns about vehicular speeds in the
proximity of Woodroffe Avenue Public School, abutting residential properties,
and other pedestrian attractors such as the YM/YWCA and Ottawa Public Library
Branch. The first option is widened boulevards on both the east and west side
of Woodroffe Avenue and the removal of the parking on the west side of the
road. The second option is a widened
boulevard with intermittent parking on the east side of the road. After further
design review and public consultation, Staff Recommendation 3a) proposes the construction
of a continuous 1.0 to 1.5 metre boulevard on the east side, and the removal of
parking on the west side of the road.
This boulevard would provide a separation between the existing sidewalk
and the traveled portion of the roadway, improving the environment for
pedestrians traveling to and from the school, library and church. Woodroffe
Avenue would be narrowed from approximately 10.5 metres to 9.0 metres (two
shared bicycle and vehicle lanes of 4.25 metres each) based on speed or paint a
cycling lane). See Annexes
2C and 2D.
Consistent with the Study, Staff Recommendation
3b) proposes the extension of the centre median on Woodroffe Avenue at Byron
Avenue further south, in order to reduce the illegal U-turn movements around
the existing median. See Annex 2D.
Recommendation 3
Several modifications are being proposed at the intersection of Woodroffe Avenue and Richmond Road.
The Study recommended the
introduction of a full northbound left turn and southbound left turn
lanes. Staff Recommendation 3a)
proposes modifications (minor widening) of the lanes, to conform to current
lane width standards. On the north side
of the intersection, there are currently two wide lanes, (northbound and
southbound) of about 5.8 metres each.
The recommended configuration is a southbound left turn lane of 3.0
metres in width, a southbound through/right lane of 4.25 metres in width, and a
northbound lane of 4.255 metres in
width. On the south side of the intersection, the existing configuration is a
northbound through/right
turn lane of 3.04.25
metres, a northbound left turn lane of 3.00 metres
(unmarked), and a southbound lane 5.0 metres in width. A minor widening to provide two 3.5
metres northbound lanes a 3.0 metre left turn lane and a 4.25 metre through/right lane is
proposed. See Annex 2D.
Currently, there is an advance left turn (flashing green ball) signal phase provided in the eastbound direction of Richmond Road. As per the Study recommendations, advance left turn phases will be added in the northbound and westbound directions using left turn arrow displays, as per current standards. A left turn phase for southbound traffic is not warranted, as volumes are low.
The Study recommended the removal
of both the channelized right turn lane from Richmond Road, eastbound, onto
Woodroffe Avenue, southbound, and the concrete island at the southwest
corner. However, after further review
and consultation, Staff Recommendation 3b) is that the channelized turn and the
island remain. The removal of the island will create
excessively long pedestrian crossing distances across both Woodroffe Avenue and
Richmond Road, due to the angle at which the
roads intersect and the need to provide adequate room for
vehicles (single unit trucks) to turn properly. The two roads intersect at approximately a 70° angle, and an adequate turning radius
must be provided to safely accommodate design vehicles (single unit trucks) to turn properly. If the island is removed, excessively long pedestrian crossing
distances across both Woodroffe Avenue (south crosswalk) and Richmond Road (west crosswalk) will result. The
eastbound right-turn deceleration lane on Richmond Road will be removed,
consistent with the study and a shortened taper will be provided in advance to the
island. See Annex 2D.
Recommendation 4
For the section of Woodroffe
Avenue from Richmond Road to the Ottawa River Parkway, several roadway
modifications were recommended in the original Study. On the east side of Woodroffe Avenue, from Richmond Road to the
Ottawa River Parkway, Staff Recommendation 4a) proposes the removal of the
existing asphalt sidewalk and replacement with a concrete sidewalk. The
placement of the new sidewalk will provide for two Sshared bicycle
and vehicle lanes of 4.25 metres will be provided. lanes. See Annexes 2D and 2E. This recommendation is made in relation to a
motion by the former Regional Transportation Committee to improve conditions on
this section of Woodroffe Avenue.
The Study recommended
that rumble strips be provided in advance of the NCC Multi-use Pathway at the
north end of Woodroffe Avenue, and that the crossing be marked with colour
pressed asphalt, and “cow gates” at the path. However, after further public
consultation, Staff Recommendation 4b) is that the rumble strips not be installed
given the potential for noise and vibration. . The Cycling Advisory
Committee (CAC) will be considering, at their next meeting, a motion officially
opposing the use of rumble strips across roadways, due to potential safety
issues with respect
to bicycles.
In addition, using colour pressed asphalt at the crossing is not recommended, as this may give the pedestrians crossing Woodroffe Avenue a false sense of security, and is of limited value in actually improving safety of the crossing. The issue of “control gates” at the path has been forwarded to the NCC, as this is within their jurisdiction. As an alternative, Staff Recommendation 4c) is that roadway narrowings be placed at the path at City cost, such that the overall road width would be reduced from 9.0 metres to 7.5 metres. As this area is under NCC jurisdiction, a copy of these modifications has been sent to the NCC, requesting its concurrence. See Annex 2E.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPLICATIONS
No environmental implications directly arise from approval of this report.
RURAL IMPLICATIONS
N/A
CONSULTATION
Public consultation consisted of two Public Open House meetings, held on 18 March and 8 April 2002. In addition, the Ward Councillor attended the general meeting for the Woodroffe Avenue North Community on 9 April 2002 to present changes. Details are provided in Annex 3.
The Municipal Act, Section 300, requires that public
notice of any modifications to the roadway be placed in daily papers for four
consecutive weeks, which took place from 26 April to 1724 May 2002. No objections or requests to speak at Transportation and Transit
Committee were received.
Some revisions have been made to the recommendations of the original Woodroffe Avenue Transportation Study; however, public consensus was obtained at the Public Open House meetings.
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 $223,000 for Woodroffe Avenue and Fairlawn Avenue are available in the approved 2001 Capital budget Internal Order 900685 - (Traffic Calming Measures – Woodroffe Avenue Study).
Subject to all approvals, Recommendations 1d) and 2 through 4 can be implemented this year. Should the construction costs exceed the allowable budget, it may be necessary to defer Recommendations 1a), 1b) and 1c) pending additional funding. Given the significant changes in the design from the original Woodroffe Avenue Transportation Study, the roadway modifications on Fairlawn Avenue may require a two-year implementation plan.
The Surface Operations
Branch is reviewing these roadway modifications to determine operational
impacts and may require additional funding to maintain them. The funding if
required would be to cover increased costs related to winter maintenance,
Spring cleaning, and life cycle (repair) costs and would be identified in the
2003 Operating Budget.
ATTACHMENTS
Annex 1: Key
Plan
Annex 2A: Roadway
Modifications, Fairlawn Avenue and Lenester Avenue
Annex 2B: Roadway
Modifications, Fairlawn Avenue and Carling Avenue
Annex 2C: Roadway
Modifications, Woodroffe Avenue and Saville Row
Annex 2D: Roadway
Modifications, Woodroffe Avenue and Richmond Road
Annex 2E: Roadway
Modifications, Woodroffe Avenue and Rice Avenue
Annex 3: Public
Consultation Process
DISPOSITION
Recommendations 1 to 4
Staff of the Transportation, Utilities and Public Works Department will implement roadway modifications on Woodroffe and Fairlawn Avenues and Richmond Road.
ANNEX 1
KEY PLAN
ANNEX 2A
ROADWAY
MODIFICATIONS – FAIRLAWN AVENUE AND LENESTER AVENUE
ANNEX 2B
ROADWAY
MODIFICATIONS – FAIRLAWN AVENUE AND CARLING AVENUE
ANNEX 2C
ROADWAY MODIFICATION – WOODROFFE AVENUE AND SAVILLE ROW
ANNEX 2D
ROADWAY MODIFICATIONS – WOODROFFE AVENUE AND RICHMOND ROAD
ANNEX 2E
ROADWAY MODIFICATIONS – WOODROFFE AVENUE AND RICE AVENUE
Annex 3
Public Consultation Process
Input to the
proposed roadway roadway modifications
was obtained largely through two Public Open House meetings held on 18 March
and 8 April 2002 at Woodroffe Avenue Public School. Approximately 100
residences were represented at the Public Open House meetings. Ward Councillor
Alex Cullen was present.
On 9 April 2002, Councillor Alex Cullen attended the Annual General Meeting of the Woodroffe North Community Association, where he displayed the drawings of the proposed designs regarding the Woodroffe Area Traffic Study. Some 40 people attended this AGM.
Summary of 18 March and 8
April, 2002 Public Open House Meetings and 9 April 2002 Woodroffe North
Community Association Annual Council Meeting
Question 1: Fairlawn Avenue
Which Option do you prefer?
Option 1:
Remove parking on west side of street and construct a 5.5 metre concrete median in the
middle of Fairlawn Avenue (7 are in support of this option).
Option 2:
Leave parking on west side of street and construct a 3.5 metre concrete median in the
middle of Fairlawn Avenue (8 are in support of this option).
Option 3:
Leave parking on west side of street but narrow Fairlawn Avenue by 1.8 metres on each
side of road (36 are in support of this option).
Additional
Comments:
(9) Maintain concrete island at Fairlawn Avenue/Lenester Avenue.
(6) Remove concrete island at Fairlawn Avenue/Lenester Avenue.
(18) Maintain both northbound lanes on Fairlawn Avenue/Carling Avenue.
(1) Suggested that bulb outs be provided in parking lane.
At the Annual
General Meeting of the Woodroffe North Community Association, there were no
comments on the choice of the median(s) versus narrowing options along Fairlawn
Avenue from Lenester Avenue to Fox Crescent, but there was consensus that the
right lane northbound on Fairlawn Avenue from the Fairlawn Plaza entrance/exit
to Carling Avenue should be retained and not removed as proposed in the Study.
Question 2: Woodroffe Avenue from Saville Row to Richmond Road
Do you support
the removal of parking on the west side of the road and create a boulevard on
east side of Woodroffe Avenue adjacent to the United Church?
(36) Support.
(12) Do not support.
At the Annual General Meeting of the Woodroffe North Community Association, there was consensus supporting the proposed road narrowing along Woodroffe Avenue (i.e. extending the boulevard onto the roadway on the east side of Woodroffe Avenue).
Question 3: Woodroffe Avenue at Richmond Road
Leave or remove
existing channelized eastbound right turn and the concrete island?
(40) Leave existing concrete island on southwest corner.
(3) Remove existing concrete island on southwest corner.
At the Annual General Meeting of the Woodroffe North Community Association, there was consensus:
· that the turning radius from Byron Avenue westbound, turning right onto Woodroffe Avenue northbound, should be adjusted to better facilitate turns (the current angle is acute);
· to support the proposed removal of the eastbound right turn lane on Richmond Road;
· to support the retention of the traffic island on the south-west corner of Richmond Road and Woodroffe Avenue;
· to support replacing the yield sign with a stop sign for right-turning vehicles going from eastbound Richmond Road onto southbound Woodroffe Avenue (at the traffic island); and,
·
to support the rest of the proposed changes to this
intersection.
Question
4: Woodroffe Avenue at the Ottawa River
Parkway
Provide comments on rumble strips and
narrowing of Woodroffe Avenue at Multi-Use Path.
(19) Oppose Rumble Strips.
(11) Support Rumble Strips (if designed in acceptable fashion).
(5) Oppose Narrowing.
(15) Support Narrowing.
At the Annual General Meeting of the Woodroffe North Community Association there was consensus:
· to support the proposed sidewalk re-construction (and consequent road narrowing) on the east side of Woodroffe Avenue;
· to support the road narrowing at the NCC bicycle path intersection; and,
· to not supporting the proposed rumble strips.
The following options were voted on by the remaining attendees (this was the last item):
· On supporting the installation of the rumble strips: in favour 2; opposed 21.
· On supporting speed humps to replace the rumble strips: in favour 15; opposed 10.
· On supporting the status quo: in favour 13; opposed 12.