Transcript Beckwith St. Reconstruction Presentation

Beckwith Street Reconstruction
2011
Agenda
1.0 Welcome
2.0 Explanation of Reconstruction EA Process
and Downtown Master Plan Process
3.0 Presentation EA Consultation
4.0 Potential Construction Schedules and
Measures
5.0 Comments
6.0 Next Steps
Reconstruction 2011
Reconstruction EA Process
The Town has initiated the Environmental Assessment process
for reviewing alternative solutions and designs for the
rehabilitation of this critical arterial transportation corridor.
The environmental assessment process is a planning tool to
identify the possible adverse effects of proposed
infrastructure projects Act for capital works projects on the
environment. It is required process under the Ontario
Environmental Assessment Act.
Before
2010
Reconstruction 2011
Reconstruction EA Process
“Environment" is applied in a broad sense and is defined
in the EA Act as:
 air, land or water;
 plant and animal life, including human life;
 the social, economic and cultural conditions that
influence the life of humans, or a community;
 any building, structure, machine or other device or
thing made by humans;
 any solid, liquid, gas, odour, heat, sound, vibration or
radiation resulting directly or indirectly from human
activities; or,
 any part or combination of the foregoing and the
interrelationships between any two or more of them.
Reconstruction 2011
Downtown Master Plan Process
Council has supported Councillor Cummings and the
Economic Development Department in commencing a
Downtown Master Plan process.
The master plan process will strive to develop a theme
for the downtown, investigate heritage improvements
and façade programs and develop list of capital priority
projects (such as benches, garbage bins).
These two processes will run concurrently and where
some of the items complement each other, such as
streetscaping details like streetlights and sidewalk
recommendations, they will by synergized.
Master Plan Process Status – Call for volunteers
currently. Anticipate 1st Meeting in next few weeks &
conclusion by September.
Reconstruction 2011
Back to the Beckwith Street Reconstruction
EA Process
The Town will be requesting connecting link funding for Beckwith
Street in the year 2011.
This funding will assist with:
 asphalt removal and replacement,
 manhole lid adjustments and other surface works related to
the drainage of the pavement and public accessibility
(depressed sidewalks, ramps)
 all underground works such
as sewer and water and
street light wiring are
not covered by this funding
Reconstruction 2011
Reconstruction 2011
We want to make sure we get it
right, so we are asking you!
Reconstruction 2011
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Smiths Falls is unique in that we are a hub to commerce (one
hour in each direction will get you to a town or city centre),
tourism, and we are affordable.
By being located where we are; traffic from neighbouring
communities travels through our town daily to deliver goods and
services.
To ensure the safe passage of residents, commuters , be it
work or commerce related or visitors, we would like to ensure
our main roadway is well maintained. We have been provided
in the past two years funding to provide an upgraded
connecting link roadway that takes people through the core of
our town and would like to continue this program and also
ensure the roadway is not disturbed after placement. Hence the
need for upgrades to our infrastructure.
Existing Services
Our main street which is “Beckwith Street” is a very unique
feature to our Town.
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Its width is 99’ instead of the standard 66’.
It is one of the widest streets in Ontario with wide sidewalks, area
for parking and room for movement of large trucks without
affecting regular traffic flow.
As we remove and replace services, the existing
“streetscaping” will be disturbed and therefore provide us an
opportunity to determine if we want to stay status quo or are
there other alternatives we could explore to enhance our Down
Town Core. Any upgrades completed would be subject to cost
being borne by the Town and will have to be examined by
Council for cost benefits.
Reconstruction 2011
Watermains
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Beckwith Street has two watermains that run within the
parking areas of Beckwith Street.
Initially in 1886 Adam Foster placed waterworks on the east
side of Beckwith Street to supply the water tanks in the CPR
yard.
In the following decade Frost expanded the waterworks to
major town streets.
In 1891 the waterwork system was purchased by the Town
of Smiths Falls and expanded upon.
By 1899 an additional watermain was placed on the
Westside of Beckwith Street within the parking area.
Several isolated areas of watermain replacement has
occurred over the years, however there are several large
sections of 4inch (100mm) main are still in use and are
beyond their life cycle (65 year life cycle) and are now
below the standard watermain size stipulated by the
Ministry of the Environment.
The Town will be replacing the following sections of
watermain:
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East Side: From Church St. connect to existing 6
inch watermain and replace 4inch to William Street (
create loop). Then from Main St. remove and
replace 4 inch to connect to existing 6 inch line located
north of the Chambers Street intersection
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West Side: From Town Hall to William replace 4 inch
(100 mm) line with 6inch (150 mm) watermain.
The following street crossings will be replaced as
well :
 Church St. - remove and replace existing 6 inch
line and place required minimum shut off valves to
facilitate maintenance of water system in the area
 William St. - remove and replace existing 10 inch
from and remove “donut” ring from around manhole
and place required water valves to facilitate
maintenance
 Main St. - remove and replace existing 10 inch
tying into 6 inch running north/ south
Sanitary Sewers:
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Existing sanitary sewers are combined in nature, carrying both
sanitary and storm waters.
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Sewers consist of clay pipe varying from 10 inch (250 mm) to
15 inch (380mm) diametre and have been in place for as long
as the watermain.
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Due to the introduction of nodes and green scaping (addition of
trees, flowers grass areas) the selection of tree types used in
the area, there have been issues with roots in the sewer and
throughout the limits of the work. Many of the trees in the
nodes will have to be removed to complete the work.
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The Town of Smiths Falls has had the sewer mains on
Beckwith Street cleaned and close circuit televised to view the
existing conditions of the mains located on either side of
Beckwith Street.
Results of CCTV work:
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There are apparent root mass issues and infiltration
concerns; there are no apparent major collapses
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Refer to CCTV investigation pictures and reports.
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Please do not be alarmed as to the amount of creaks and
fissures you see; you have to remember you are looking
a picture inside a 250 mm diametre pipe and everything
appears to be exaggerated. The important point to note
is that the majority of pipes are still in reasonable circular
shape and there appears to be minimal deflection of the
pipe from either poor bedding or backfilling operations
that could have potentially created a sump or
compression of the pipe. Hence alternative rehabilitation
technologies can be explored.
Storm Sewers:
Existing Storm Water Management for the Beckwith
Street corridor is being handled by the existing
sanitary pipe system. Catch basins had been
introduced to facilitate drainage of the roadway and
node areas.
 In the past year, we have provided some minor
improvements around the Chambers St. intersection
to prevent flooding due to the present gradient on
Beckwith Street.
 As part of our on going infrastructure improvements
it is recommended that we separate the sanitary and
storm line to two different piping systems.
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To achieve this it is recommended that there be
two lines placed within proximity of the existing
sanitary line to facilitate maintenance if required
at a later date.
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Management of storm water should be primarily
treated using a storm septor (settling basin - be it
a manhole or some thing of that type of
configuration) prior to entering an approved storm
water outlet into the Rideau River Basin.
Traffic
Counts
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Beckwith Street is an intrinsic part of Highway # 15
Connecting Link, which is used to connect Kingston with
Smiths Falls and surrounding areas, namely, Perth,
Merrickville, Carleton Place and Ottawa.
The Connecting Link is provincially maintained through
funding provided to the Town upon assessment of repairs
required of the riding surface of the roadway.
Traffic Count Studies or visual counts of intersections were
completed the summer of 2007 and used to provide data
on which to base road needs upon.
By defining users and yearly visual assessments; we
can project pavement wear and identify areas of
concern for priority of road repair works.
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Upon initial analysis of counts taken it has been
determined that there is approximately 34% commercial
traffic (2,200 heavy trucks use this route daily).
This is significant based on the weight of the trucks on
the existing pavement.
Being part of a connecting link, we are obliged to carry
this truck traffic.
Traffic counts indicate that there is a variance of
25,200 to 14,700 vehicles travelling on Beckwith at a
given intersection (Chambers being most at 25,224
and William being lest at 14,721). Be it here nor
there, this street is of significant value to us:
historically, culturally and visually, as it is viewed by
so many each day be it residents or visitors passing
through. What we do to enhance its appearance
and structure will ultimately provide prosperity for the
Town of Smiths Falls.
Existing Lighting - History
Through the years lighting has gone from candle to
kerosene to hydro powered lighting.
In an age of conservation and fiscal constraints,
technology has provided the opportunity to change
out our existing street light system from High
pressure sodium light bulb to a more economical
type of bulb (induction) which will reduce our hydro
costs by an average of 60%.
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With this change out, there are some upgrades required
as well as additional pole placement due to existing
spacing. Therefore we will be enhancing the lighting
within the downtown core on Beckwith with a heritage
type light fixture.
This will add to the prosperity of the Town of Smiths Falls.
Retain cobras at intersections or all
heritage/theme lighting?
Design Ideas
Raised Intersections, Crosswalks
(raise road to sidewalk level, drainage away from walking
area, intersections typically have gentle 1:40 slopes)
• make it safer to cross the street (visibility to vehicles, speed
reduction)
• make crossing with wheelchairs and strollers easier.
• push winter slush out of pedestrian route
• Cost & emergency service considerations (3-10sec. slow) &
vehicle comfort
Design Ideas
Curb extensions (nodes) at intersections
-benefit pedestrians by creating shorter crossing distances
-increased pedestrian visibility
-and tighter curb radii that reduce the speeds of turning
vehicles
-Keeps parking spaces away from intersection
-More difficult for snow plowing
Design Ideas
Center island narrowings
(raised islands located at the centerline of a street)
- People with disabilities/slower walking speeds benefit from
decreased crossing distances; and
- are able to cross one leg of traffic and then wait on a
pedestrian refuge before crossing a second leg of traffic.
Design Ideas
Chokers
(midblock curb extensions that narrow the street)
Chokers reduce pedestrian crossing distances and enhance
pedestrian visibility at a midblock crossing.
Design Ideas
Controlled Pedestrian Crossings/Traffic Controls
Bike Lanes
Is there a need for more controlled pedestrian crossings?
e.g. Lombard & Lavinia for access into Victoria Park
Is there a need for more controlled intersections?
(William, Church)
Currently discourage use of Beckwith as part of bike route.
Should we considered bike lanes?
Beckwith Street Revitalization
The eventual revitalization of Beckwith Street will have a significant impact
from an economic development standpoint. In 2010 the economic
development department will be undertaking and leading three critical
master planning initiatives; Tourism Master Plan, Downtown Master Plan
and a Waterfront Re-Development Master Plan. These three planning
initiatives although important as a standalone initiative must evolve into an
integrated master plan which incorporates the needs of all three initiatives
and provides direction for the future direction of tourism and business
development in our community.
Beckwith Street acts as the central business core within the
community. The street provides wide angle parking and is
seen as a unique across the region. Beckwith is also the
principle link between the Waterfront/Rideau Canal and
municipal waterfront park areas and the downtown business
core. The Downtown Business Association is working to
address issues relating to parking, road re-paving and street
cleanliness, all matters critical to overall first impressions of
the community.
From an economic development standpoint, the revitalization of
Beckwith Street is a high priority project and must be introduced to
the business community in an open and seamless manner with
ample opportunity for public input and project notice. The
revitalization initiative should also take into account signage and
opportunities to influence the business community to consider
upgrades to store fronts, signage and facades. Plans should also
include the ongoing maintenance of the street following
revitalization efforts.
Ultimately, Beckwith Street will be the major access to and from the
Rideau Canal and the business core of the community and the
Highway #15 Connecting Link to motorists travelling through to
Ottawa, Carleton Place and Perth. How our community is viewed
inevitably has a major impact on overall economic development and
word-of-mouth, which if positive, can have a significant impact on
the success of our municipality moving forward.
Potential Construction
Schedule and Measures
Beckwith Street needs to be as open as possible for livelihood of
businesses and access by residents during construction.
Timing of Construction will vary with funding approval
Ideally: February – April, Alternately: September – November
Vehicular & Pedestrian Access
One lane open at all times
Other considerations
Day or night construction
Your Turn !
Do you See Any Adverse
Environmental Affects?
- air, land or water;
- plant and animal life, including human life;
- the social, economic and cultural
conditions that influence the life of humans
or a community;
- any building, structure, machine or other device or thing made
by humans;
-any solid, liquid, gas, odour, heat, sound, vibration or radiation
resulting directly or indirectly from human activities;
- any part or combination of the foregoing and the
interrelationships between any two or more of them.
Your Turn !
Do you have Any Design
Comments?
Bike Lanes?
Trees?
Heritage/Theme Lighting?
Nodes (Curb Extension)?
Raised Intersections/Sidewalks?
Centre Island Narrowing?
Chokers?
Pedestrian crossings/traffic controls?
Other Comments/Concerns?
Next Steps
Comments to be received by May 21, 2010 to Lynda McKimm @ 613-283-4124
ext. 1148 or via [email protected]
Public Consultation Centre (Townhall) to review the alternative designs and the
possible impacts of the designs on the environment (to assist in the selection of
the preferred design for the chosen solution). Anticipated Mid June.
(all persons signing the list will receive direct notification)
Report to Council anticipated early July
(all persons signing the list will receive direct notification)
Submission to Minister of the Environment & Ministry of Transportation
2011 potential construction (pending funding)