ONLINE PUBLIC INFORMATION CENTRE (PIC) Highway 401 ...€¦ · ONLINE PUBLIC INFORMATION CENTRE...

HIGHWAY 401 UNDERPASS REPLACEMENTS AT WESTLEY ROAD AND BAINSVILLE ROAD

A description of the project

The steps in the Environmental Assessment (EA) process

Existing conditions in the study area

A summary of the alternatives considered

A description of the Recommended Plan at each site, including proposed detour

routes

Measures to mitigate environmental impacts at each site

Next steps

ONLINE PUBLIC INFORMATION CENTRE (PIC)

Highway 401 Underpass Replacements at Westley Road (2nd

Line Road) and Bainsville Road (3rd

Line Road)

Detail Design and Environmental Assessment Study

(WP 351-01-01 and WP 4088-13-01)

The purpose of this online PIC is to provide stakeholders and the public with an introduction to the studies and to

provide an opportunity to review and comment on the proposed works, anticipated environmental effects and

proposed mitigation measures for the replacement of each underpass.

As part of this online PIC, you will have a chance to review:

Please share your opinions with us and submit any questions or comments via the project website Contact page.

A member of the Project Team will respond to you directly.

The Ministry of Transportation (MTO) has retained WSP (formerly MMM Group Limited) to undertake this study.

http://www.401bridgeimprovements.com/contact


PROJECT DESCRIPTION

The purpose of the current Ministry of Transportation

(MTO) Detail Design and Environmental Assessment

(EA) Studies is to prepare the Recommended Plans

for the replacement of the Highway 401 underpasses

at Westley Road (2nd

Line Road) and Bainsville Road

(3rd

Line Road). Both underpasses are approaching

the end of their service life and require replacement.

The underpass at Westley Road (2nd

Line Road) is a

six span pre-stressed concrete girder structure. The

underpass was constructed in 1964 and last

rehabilitated in 1992. It carries one lane of traffic in

each direction over Highway 401.

The underpass at Bainsville Road (3nd

Line Road) is

a six span pre-stressed concrete structure. The

underpass was constructed in 1965 and last

rehabilitated in 1992. It carries one lane of traffic in

each direction over Highway 401.

Each underpass will be closed throughout demolition

and construction. Occasional weekend overnight

closures of Highway 401 and County Road 2 will also

be required for erection of new girders and public

safety during construction. During the closures,

traffic is proposed to be detoured using adjacent

County roads. The two underpasses will not be

closed at the same time.


ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT PROCESS

These projects are being carried out in accordance with the approved environmental

planning process for Group ‘B’ projects under the MTO Class Environmental

Assessment (Class EA) for Provincial Transportation Facilities (2000).

The purpose of these studies is to determine the Recommended Plan for the

replacement of each underpass.

At the completion of these studies, separate Transportation Environmental Study

Reports (TESRs) will be prepared for each underpass and will include:

• A summary description of the project;

• An outline of the EA process;

• A description of significant transportation engineering and environmental issues and

how they have been addressed;

• A description of the Recommended Plan;

• A summary of stakeholder and public consultation; and

• A detailed description of anticipated environmental effects and recommended

mitigation measures that will be incorporated into contract documents.

Upon completion of the EA Studies, the TESRs will be submitted for a 30-day public

review period.

January 2016

Notice of Study Commencement

Perform Field Inventory and

Review Existing Conditions

Develop and Evaluate Design and

Construction Staging Alternatives

Identify Preliminary Recommended

Plans, Identify Impacts and

Develop the Mitigation Strategy

July 2017

Online Public Information Centre

Finalize Recommended Plans and

Prepare Transportation

Environmental Study Reports

(TESRs)

September 2017

Submit TESRs for a 30-day Public

Review Period

WE ARE

HERE


EXISTING ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS AT WESTLEY ROAD

Wildlife and Species at Risk

• The study area contains habitat that supports a variety of wildlife

species.

• Species at Risk (SAR) that may occur in the study area include

bobolink, barn swallow, eastern meadowlark, butternut, and snapping

turtle.

• The shell of a SAR, snapping turtle, was observed on the eastern

shoulder of Westley Road, south of the underpass. No other SAR were

observed in the study area.

• One nest of a cliff swallow, a non-SAR migratory bird, was found

beneath the underpass.

Vegetation

• Vegetation in the study area is primarily a mix of forest, meadow, and

marsh.

• No rare plant species or vegetation communities have been found in

the study area.

NATU

RA

L E

NV

IR

ON

MEN

TA

L C

ON

DITIO

NS

AT W

ES

TLE

Y R

OA

D

CUM1-1 Dry-Moist Old Field Meadow Type

CUW1 Mineral Cultural Woodland Ecosite

FOD7-2 Fresh-Moist Ash Lowland Deciduous Forest Type

FOD8-1 Fresh-Moist Poplar Deciduous Forest Type

MAM2 Mineral Meadow Marsh Ecosite

MAS2-1 Cattail Mineral Shallow Marsh Type

Turtle Nest

Snapping Turtle Remains

ELC Boundary

Flow DirectionVegetation Communities and Natural Features

at Westley Road


EXISTING ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS AT BAINSVILLE ROAD

Wildlife and Species at Risk

• The study area contains habitat that supports a variety of wildlife

species.

• Species at Risk (SAR) that may occur in the study area include

bobolink, barn swallow, eastern meadowlark, butternut, and

snapping turtle.

• The SAR snapping turtle was observed in a culvert in the

northwest quadrant of the study area. The SAR eastern

meadowlark was observed flying in the southwest quadrant.

• Seven nests belonging to cliff swallow, a non-SAR migratory bird,

were found beneath the underpass.

Vegetation

• Vegetation in the study area includes forest, meadow and marsh.

• No rare plant species or vegetation communities have been found

in the study area.

NA

TU

RA

L E

NV

IR

ON

MEN

TA

L C

ON

DITIO

NS

AT B

AIN

SV

ILLE

RO

AD

CUM1-1 Dry-Moist Old Field Meadow Type

CUW1 Mineral Cultural Woodland Ecosite

FOD7-2 Fresh-Moist Ash Lowland Deciduous Forest Type

FOD8-1 Fresh-Moist Poplar Deciduous Forest Type

MAM2-2 Reed-canary Grass Mineral Meadow Marsh Type

MAS2-1 Cattail Mineral Shallow Marsh Type

Turtle Location

ELC BoundaryVegetation Communities and Natural Features

at Bainsville Road


EXISTING ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS (Continued)

SO

CIA

L / C

ULTU

RA

L

EN

VIR

ON

MEN

TA

L C

ON

DITIO

NS

Land Use

Lands near the Westley Road underpass are designated Agricultural Resource Lands, Residential District, and Provincially

Significant Wetland (PSW) in the United Counties of Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry Official Plan (SDG OP) (above).

Lands near the Bainsville Road underpass are designated Agricultural Resource Lands, Rural Settlement Area,

Employment District, Residential District, and PSW in the SDG OP.

Provincially

Designated

Areas

The Westley Creek PSW is located approximately 650 m southeast of the Westley Road underpass. Part of the PSW

extends to the banks of MacIntosh Drain, which passes approximately 85 m metres east of Westley Road.

The north boundary of the Bainsville Bay PSW is located approximately 450 m south of the Bainsville Road underpass.

There is no defined surface water connection between the PSW and the study area.

Archaeology

The proposed works will generally take place in areas that have undergone land alterations and subsurface disturbances

as a result of prior work. In these areas, the archaeological potential is considered to be low, and an archaeological

assessment was not required. An archaeological assessment is being completed for approximately 0.375 ha of private

property northwest of the Bainsville Road underpass, which is to be used as a temporary construction staging area.

Cultural

Heritage

The Highway 401 underpasses at Westley Road and Bainsville Road were screened as part of the Heritage Bridges:

Identification and Assessment Guide Ontario, 1945-1965 and were found to not have any heritage value or interest.

Therefore, no further heritage assessments are required.

Provincially Significant Wetland

Rural Settlement Area

Employment District

Residential District

Legend

Agricultural Resource Lands

Land Use Map for the Study Areas (United Counties of Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry Official Plan [2005, Consolidated 2009], Schedule A5)

Highway 401

Underpass at

Westley Road

Highway 401

Underpass at

Bainsville Road


EVALUATION OF ALTERNATIVES

CRITERIA REHABILITATION REPLACEMENT

Environment • Can be completed within the existing footprint of the

underpasses, with minimal environmental impacts.

• A rehabilitated underpass will require future

rehabilitations at regular intervals, which will impact

traffic at both sites.

• May result in environmental impacts outside of the

footprint of the existing underpasses, depending on

bridge design and construction methodology.

Technical

Considerations

• Cannot address all existing deficiencies in terms of

design standards (e.g., vertical clearance, seismic

standards).

• Has a shorter service life than a new underpass.

• Allows design deficiencies to be corrected in order

to meet current design standards (i.e. increasing

vertical clearance).

• Allows for improved geometric design and safety.

• Has a longer service life than a rehabilitated

underpass.

Cost • Slightly lower cost than replacement.

• Increased maintenance costs compared to

replacement.

• Slightly higher cost than rehabilitation with reduced

maintenance costs in the near future.

REPLACEMENT is recommended for both underpasses as they are approaching the end of their service life.

A new underpass can be designed to meet current standards and has a longer service life.

Both studies began with the collection of information through field work and background research to determine the need for the project and

assess existing conditions. The first step in the environmental assessment and design process was to determine whether rehabilitation or

replacement of each underpass is preferred.

Once the replacement strategy was identified as the preferred alternative for each underpass, options for construction methodology (either

full closure of the road or staged construction) were developed. Alternatives were assessed considering environment, transportation and cost.

Alternatives examined as part of this project include:

1. Rehabilitation vs. Replacement

2. Full Road Closure vs. Staged Construction

Rehabilitation means

undertaking repairs to structural

elements of each underpass to

extend its service life.

Replacement means a full

replacement of the existing

underpass with a new underpass.


EVALUATION OF ALTERNATIVES

CRITERIA FULL ROAD CLOSURE STAGED CONSTRUCTION

Natural

Environment

• Minimizes environmental impacts since the underpass

is replaced at the same location.

• Results in greater environmental impacts due to changes in the

footprint of the road embankment and underpass.

Social / Cultural

Environment

• During construction a detour route is required for traffic

wishing to cross over Highway 401 using Westley Road

or Bainsville Road.

• Single-lane closures may be required when the

underpasses are not fully closed.

• Minimizes impacts to Highway 401.

• Requires four (4) short-term, 18-hour overnight closures

of Highway 401 during demolition of the existing

underpasses: two (2) closures per underpass.

• Avoids the use of detour routes; however, the duration of traffic

impacts is longer (two [2] years longer at each site).

• Single-lane operations are required for the duration of construction.

• When traffic is down to a single lane, queues and delays can result

on Westley Road and Bainsville Road.

• Requires more short-duration Highway 401 closures.

Technical

Considerations

• Construction can be completed in two (2) construction

seasons per underpass.

• Horizontal roadway alignment remains unchanged.

• Construction lasts three (3) construction seasons per underpass.

• Requires lane restrictions and reduced lane width over winter.

• Requires a horizontal alignment shift.

• Some areas of a realigned roadway and underpass would settle

unevenly.

Cost • Lower cost due to shorter construction period. • Higher cost due to a longer duration of construction, temporary

works and associated costs, and construction of new embankment.

FULL ROAD CLOSURE is recommended for both underpasses because it allows for a shorter construction

period, which minimizes traffic disruptions and can be done at a lower cost.

Alternatives examined as part of this

project include:

1. Rehabilitation vs.

Replacement

2. Full Road Closure vs. Staged

Construction

Full Road Closure involves the full closure of Westley

Road and Bainsville Road at the underpass location

during construction. A new underpass will be built in

the same place as the existing underpass. Traffic will

be detoured during this time. Construction of the

underpasses at Westley Road and Bainsville Road will

not be taking place at the same time.

Staged Construction allows for

one or two lanes of traffic to

remain open on the Westley Road

and Bainsville Road during

construction.


RECOMMENDED PLAN – WESTLEY ROAD CLOSURE DETOUR ROUTE

RECOMMENDED PLAN – NEW UNDERPASS AT WESTLEY ROAD

STRUCTURE

To permit a longer service life, reduce maintenance

costs, address the substandard design, and provide

for future widening, it is recommended that the

Westley Road underpass be replaced with a new

three-span underpass with integral abutments and a

reinforced concrete deck.

Westley Road (2nd Line Road) at Highway 401 will be closed for the replacement of the underpass. The closure of 2nd

Line Road results in a 7.25 km detour for vehicles that would have crossed Highway 401 at this location. The detour

uses County Road 2 / Old Highway 2 , South Service Road, and the Highway 401 crossing at 3rd Line Road. It is

anticipated that traffic on the 2nd Line Road crossing will be primarily local traffic and that the traffic volume will be low

based on the low-density land use on either side of the crossing. Traffic impacts and delays are not expected on the

local detour route, which will see minimal additional traffic.

SKETCH OF NEW UNDERPASS, LOOKING EAST

SKETCH OF NEW CROSS-SECTION

OF WESTLEY ROAD


RECOMMENDED PLAN – BAINSVILLE ROAD CLOSURE DETOUR ROUTE

RECOMMENDED PLAN – NEW UNDERPASS AT BAINSVILLE ROAD

STRUCTURE

To permit a longer service life, reduce maintenance

costs, address the substandard design, and provide

for future widening, the Bainsville Road underpass is

recommended for replacement with a new three-span

underpass with integral abutments and a reinforced

concrete deck.

Bainsville Road (3rd

Line Road) at Highway 401 will be closed for the replacement of the underpass. The closure of 3rd

Line Road will result in a 6.15 km detour for vehicles that would have crossed Highway 401 at this location. The detour

uses South Service Road and County Road 2, and crosses Highway 401 using the County Road 2 crossing near Curry

Hill Road (4th

Line Road). It is anticipated that traffic on the 3rd

Line Road crossing is primarily local traffic and that the

volume of local traffic will be low based on the low-density land use on either side of the crossing. Traffic impacts and

delays are not expected on the local detour route, which will see minimal additional traffic.

SKETCH OF NEW UNDERPASS, LOOKING EAST

SKETCH OF NEW CROSS-SECTION

OF BAINSVILLE ROAD


RECOMMENDED PLAN – HIGHWAY 401 CLOSURE DETOUR ROUTES

Traffic travelling eastbound on Highway 401 will be directed to exit at

County Road 2 / 34 (Interchange [I/C] 814). Vehicles will follow

County Road 2 east until the 4th

Line Road interchange where they

can get back onto Highway 401.

Traffic travelling westbound on Highway 401 will be directed to exit

at 4th

Line Road (I/C 825). Vehicles will follow County Road 2 west

until the County Road 2 / 34 interchange where they can get back

onto Highway 401.

To demolish the existing underpasses, a rapid demolition process will be used. Rapid demolition improves public safety by using traffic

detours during demolition, and can be completed at a lower cost than a conventional demolition. Demolition of the Westley and Bainsville

underpasses will require two 12-18-hour overnight closures of Highway 401 per underpass (one for the eastbound lanes, and one for the

westbound lanes). These closures will be scheduled for Friday, Saturday or Sunday nights to minimize traffic impacts. During the Highway

401 closures, the detour routes shown below will be in place.

The underpasses that carry Westley and Bainsville Road traffic across Highway 401 also carry traffic over County Road 2. One 18-hour

overnight closure of County Road 2 will be required at each underpass when the span above is demolished. During each closure, local

vehicles may use South Service Road as an alternate east / west arterial.

RECOMMENDED PLAN – COUNTY ROAD 2 CLOSURE DETOUR ROUTES


RECOMMENDED PLAN – CONSTRUCTION SCHEDULE

Construction of both underpasses is currently planned to occur over three

(3) construction seasons (two [2] seasons per underpass). The Bainsville

Road underpass will be under construction in years 1 and 2, and the

Westley Road underpass will be under construction in years 2 and 3. The

construction will take place as follows:

Westley Road Bainsville Road

Year 1 • No work will be done on the

Westley Road underpass during

the first year of construction.

• Both lanes will be open to traffic.

• Demolition of the existing

Bainsville Road underpass.

• The underpass will be closed to

traffic and will require a detour

throughout the summer months.

• The underpass will be reopened

to traffic during the winter

months.

Year 2 • Demolition of the existing

Westley Road underpass.

• The underpass will be closed to



• The underpass will be reopened

to traffic during the winter

months.

• The Bainsville Road underpass

will be open for single lane

operations (i.e., one lane of

traffic will remain open at all

times on the underpass).

Year 3 • The underpass will be closed to



• No work will be done on the

Bainsville Road underpass

during the third year of

construction.

• Both lanes will be open to traffic.

As this design and EA study progresses, MTO will continue to look for

opportunities to shorten the duration of construction.


ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS AND MITIGATION

WILDLIFE & VEGETATION

Wildlife and vegetation may be disturbed during construction.

• Any wildlife encountered during construction will not be knowingly

harmed.

• Should any Species at Risk (SAR) be encountered at any time in the

construction area, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry will be

consulted.

• If work is scheduled during the breeding bird period (April 1st

to August

31st), bird nesting prevention measures will be implemented at each

underpass.

• Nearby Provincially Significant Wetland and vegetation that does not

require removal will be protected during construction.

• Exposed soils will be re-vegetated with native species.

TRAFFIC OPERATIONS AND ACCESS

Short-term closures of Highway 401 are required for the demolition of the

existing underpasses.

• Detour routes will be established during the short-term closures of

Highway 401 and County Road 2.

• Highway 401 and County Road 2 full closures will be scheduled during

off-peak times to minimize impacts to traffic. OPP officers will be present

on County Roads during these closures to assist with traffic

management.

ARCHAEOLOGICAL & CULTURAL HERITAGE

There is potential to uncover archaeological resources during construction.

• No significant archaeological resources are known to exist within either

study area, as both have been significantly disturbed.

• Should the archaeological assessment at the Bainsville construction staging

area identify any archaeological resources, the site will be managed in

accordance with provincial standards.

• In the event that deeply buried archaeological deposits are discovered in the

course of construction, the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport shall be

notified immediately.

• In the event that human remains are encountered during construction, the

Cemeteries Regulation Unit of the Ministry of Consumer Service shall be

notified.

NOISE

There may be elevated noise levels during construction at each underpass,

including night work, for the demolition of the existing underpasses.

• The Contractor will be required to maintain equipment in good operating

condition to prevent unnecessary noise, and to minimize idling of

equipment.

• The Contractor will abide by the municipal nuisance by-law for day-to-day

operations.

• An exemption to the municipal nuisance by-law (2016-20) will be obtained

prior to construction at both underpasses for the required night work.

WASTE MANAGEMENT AND CONTAMINATION

Waste, excess materials (including salt impacted soil) and emissions have the

potential to contaminate the surrounding environment if not managed properly.

• Excess materials will be managed in accordance with provincial standards.

• Stockpiled materials will be kept at least 30 m from watercourses and the top

of steep slopes.

• The Contractor will be responsible for controlling the emission of dust and

other pollutants and preventing them from leaving the work site.

• Fuel spills and salt contaminated soils were found at the Bainsville Road site.

Polluted excavated earth shall be disposed of at an appropriate Hazardous

Waste site.

UTILITIES

Utilities may be present in the Bainsville Road underpass but are not expected

to be impacted by construction.

• If utilities are impacted during construction, they will be relocated, as

required.


NEXT STEPS

Following this Online Public Information Centre, next steps will include:

• Reviewing and responding to comments received;

• Refining the Detail Design and Mitigation Plan;

• Preparing separate Transportation Environmental Study Reports (TESRs) for public review;

• Finalizing the Detail Design and preparing separate contract packages; and

• Submitting the projects for tender.

Mr. Trevor Small, P. Eng.

Consultant Project Manager (WSP)

Phone: 289-835-2606 (direct) / 1-877-562-7947 (toll-free)

Email: [email protected]

Fax: 905-823-8503

Ms. Nancy Elliott

MTO Project Manager

Phone: 613-545-4662 / 1-800-267-0295 (toll-free)

Email: [email protected]

Fax: 613-540-5106

Des renseignements sont disponibles en français:

Mme. Emily Sangster, MCIP, RPP

Urbaniste de la firme (WSP)

Téléphone: 613-690-1119 (direct) / 1-877-998-9912 (sans frais)

Courriel : [email protected]

Fax: 613-736-8710

www.401bridgeimprovements.com

Thank you for participating in the Online Public Information Centre. We welcome your comments. Information is being collected in accordance

with the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. With the exception of personal information, all comments will become part of the

public record. If you have accessibility requirements in order to participate in this project, please contact the undersigned.

Stakeholders and the public will be notified when the TESRs for these projects are available for review.

If you would like more information, please contact:

Please submit any questions or comments to the contacts listed above or here by August 14, 2017.

http://www.401bridgeimprovements.com/contact

ONLINE PUBLIC INFORMATION CENTRE (PIC) Highway 401 ...€¦ · ONLINE PUBLIC INFORMATION CENTRE...

Documents

Transcript of ONLINE PUBLIC INFORMATION CENTRE (PIC) Highway 401 ...€¦ · ONLINE PUBLIC INFORMATION CENTRE...