Report to/Rapport à: Select a Committee in English Select a Committee in French

 

3.         Cooper Street and O’Connor Street – Intersection Modifications

 

            Rue cooper À la hauteur du rue o’connor – modification À  l’intersection

 

 

Committee Recommendations

 

Having held a public hearing, that Council approve:

 

1.                  The proposed roadway modifications at Cooper Street and O’Connor Street as shown in Annex B (Stantec Consulting Drawing FM-227); and,

 

2.         That eastbound through movements at the intersection of Cooper Street and O’Connor Street be prohibited at any time, bicycles excepted.

 

 

Recommandations du ComitÉ

 

Une réunion publique ayant été tenure, que le Conseil d’approuver que :

 

1.         la modification proposée à l’intersection de la rue Cooper et la rue O’Connor indiquées à l’attachement 2 (Stantec Consulting Dessin FM-227);

 

2.         le trafic de passage en direction est soit interdit à l’intersection de la rue Cooper et la rue O’Connor en tout temps, à l’exception des bicyclettes.

 

 

 

Documentation

 

1.         General Manager, Transportation, Utilities and Public Works report dated 11 March 2002 is immediately attached (ACS2002-TUP-TRF-0008).

 

2.         A draft Extract of Minutes, 20 March 2002, immediately follows the report and includes the voting record.

 

3.         Letter dated 13 March 2002 from the Centretown Citizens Ottawa Corporation is held on file.

Report to/Rapport au:

 Transportation and Transit Committee/

Comité des transports et des services de transport en commun

 

and Council/et au Conseil

11 March 2002/le 11 mars 2002

Submitted by/Soumis par:  R.T.  Leclair, General Manager/Directeur général

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

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

 

 

 

Ref N°: ACS2002-TUP-TRF-0008

 

 

SUBJECT:     COOPER STREET AND O’CONNOR STREET - INTERSECTION MODIFICATIONS

 

OBJET:          CHEMIN COOPER À LA HAUTEUR DU CHEMIN O’CONNOR –MODIFICATION À L’INTERSECTION

 

 

REPORT RECOMMENDATIONS

 

That the Transportation and Transit Committee recommend Council approve:

 

1.                  The proposed roadway modifications at Cooper Street and O’Connor Street as shown in Annex B (Stantec Consulting Drawing FM_227); and,

 

2.         That eastbound through movements at the intersection of Cooper Street and O’Connor Street be prohibited at any time, bicycles excepted.

 

 

RECOMMANDATIONS DU RAPPORT

 

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

 

2.                  la modification proposée à l’intersection de la rue Cooper et la rue O’Connor indiquées à l’attachement 2 (Stantec Consulting Dessin FM_227);

 

3.                  le trafic de passage en direction est soit interdit à l’intersection de la rue Cooper et la rue O’Connor en tout temps, à l’exception des bicyclettes.

 

BACKGROUND

 

At its meeting of 20 June 2001, the Transportation and Transit Committee approved a report on the 2000 Traffic Control Signal Program.  The report noted that:

 

“The intersection of Cooper Street and O’Connor Street meets the installation warrants for a traffic control signal based on the combination of vehicle/pedestrian volumes and angle collisions; however, the vehicle/pedestrian volumes themselves do not meet the warrants.  Under such circumstances, the Ontario Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices recommends that before a traffic control signal is installed, less restrictive remedies first be investigated.

 

This intersection is comprised of two one-way streets and was previously reviewed in the 1997 Safety Improvement Programme.  As a result, eastbound straight-through movements on Cooper Street across O’Connor Street were prohibited between 3:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m., as that was the period when most collisions occurred.  Despite the presence of that signed regulation, the angle collision experience has not diminished and a high percentage of those mishaps continue to occur during the 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. period; therefore, a more restrictive measure must now be considered.

 

Accordingly, it is proposed that a right-turn channel be provided to physically prevent eastbound vehicles from proceeding straight through the intersection, forcing them instead to turn right (south) onto O’Connor Street.  Capacity analysis indicates that this diversion of eastbound traffic will not affect service levels at downstream-signalized intersections along either O’Connor Street or Somerset Street and, channelization of that type has successfully reduced the incidence of angle collisions at the intersections of Kent Street at Lisgar Street and Bank Street at McLeod Street. 

 

The Ward Councillor concurs with this proposal and final design work is underway, following which public consultation will commence.  A Public Hearing will then be advertised and a report on the matter presented to the Transportation and Transit Committee for approval.”

 

Council approved the report and the detailed design and public consultation process commenced.  Results of that process are presented in this report and form the basis of the stated recommendations.

 

 

ANALYSIS

 

Existing Conditions

 

This intersection is located in Centretown.  A map is attached as Annex A and shows the street pattern and signalized intersections in the area.

 

Intersection Control

 

Stop control currently faces eastbound drivers on Cooper Street.

 

Pedestrians

 

There are sidewalks on both sides of these roadways.  An eight-hour survey conducted on Wednesday, 24 May 2000, revealed that approximately 400 pedestrians crossed O’Connor Street and 1,400 crossed Cooper Street.

 

Cyclists

 

There are no dedicated cycling facilities on either roadway.  During the course of the survey, 49 cyclists travelled through the intersection on Cooper Street and 31 travelled through the intersection on O’Connor Street.

 

Transit

 

There is no transit service in the area.

 

Automobiles

 

The survey showed that during the eight-hour period, 1,100 vehicles used Cooper Street and 7,300 vehicles used O’Connor Street. 

 

Collisions

 

During the three-year period ending 31 October 2001, 41 collisions were reported at this site of which 28 were angle types. 

 

Proposed Design

 

In reviewing options to improve safety at this location, it was determined that physical measures to prevent straight-through movements across O’Connor Street were most appropriate.  While the installation of a traffic control signal would meet the safety objective, it would also increase the attractiveness of Cooper Street to commuters seeking a non-arterial route through that part of Centretown.  Therefore, to protect the residential character of Cooper Street against such cut-through activity, that option was discarded.

 

Accordingly, it is proposed that the intersection be modified to compel eastbound drivers on Cooper Street to turn right (south) at O’Connor Street and that a cycling lane be incorporated into those modifications so that cyclists may continue to cross O’Connor Street at this point.   The proposed design is illustrated in Annex B.

 

This design addresses the safety concern, reduces the distance for pedestrians crossing Cooper Street and facilitates through movements for eastbound cyclists. Capacity analysis reveals that traffic diverted in this manner will not affect service levels at downstream-signalized intersections along either O’Connor Street or Somerset Street.

 

 

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPLICATIONS

 

There are no environmental implications

 

RURAL IMPLICATIONS

 

There are no rural implications

 

 

CONSULTATION

 

A Public Open House was held at City Hall on 20 November 2001.  Most attendees were pleased with the proposed design and a number expressed relief that the current safety issues at the intersection were being addressed.   

 

Further, in accordance with Section 300 of the Municipal Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. M.45, as amended, the roadway changes required for this project were advertised in the Ottawa Citizen, the Ottawa Sun, and Le Droit for four successive weeks commencing on 11 January 2002.  The advertisement provided notice of the proposed changes and provided those who believe they will be prejudicially affected by the changes, an opportunity to notify the City Clerk of their concern(s) and be given an opportunity to address the Transportation and Transit Committee.  The fourth advertisement was published on 1 February 2002 and to date (25 February 2002), no written objections have been received.

 

Also, temporary signs have been placed at the intersection to inform pedestrians, cyclists and drivers that an intersection modification is proposed.  The signs display a telephone number at which comments and concerns may be left and from which additional information can be obtained, should callers wish to discuss the matter with staff.

 

This report has been discussed with the Ward Councillor and she concurs with the recommendations.

 

 

TRANSPORTATION MASTER PLAN

 

A guiding principle of the Transportation Master Plan (TMP) is the provision of a modal hierarchy with emphasis on walking, cycling, and transit usage.  This principle is reflected in the following features of the proposed intersection modifications that directly conform to the TMP. 

 

4.      The provision of “bulb-outs” on Cooper Street will reduce the travel distance for pedestrians crossing Cooper Street, which conforms to section 2.2 of the TMP.

 

5.      The provision of a facility to enable cyclists to continue to cross O’Connor Street at this point conforms to section 2.3.2, item 3 of the TMP.

 

 

FINANCAL IMPLICATIONS

 

The estimated cost to construct the proposed intersection modification and install the associated signage is $70,000.

 

Funds for this intersection improvement have been provided for in the 2001 Capital Budget, internal order 900431, New Traffic Control Signal Program.  

 

DISPOSITION

 

Subject to approval of the recommendations contained in this report, construction would begin in the Spring of 2002 and be completed within a month.

 

 

ATTACHMENTS

 

ANNEX A – KEY PLAN

ANNEX B – PROPOSED INTERSECTION MODIFICATION

 

Extract of Draft Minutes 22

20 March 2002

 

Extrait de l’ébauche du

procÈs-verbal 22 - 20 mars 2002

 

 

            COOPER STREET AND O'CONNOR STREET - INTERSECTION MODIFICATIONS – PUBLIC HEARING

            CHEMIN COOPER À LA HAUTEUR DU CHEMIN O’CONNOR –MODIFICATION À L’INTERSECTION – AUDIENCE PUBLIQUE

ACS2002-TUP-TRF-0008                                                                                                     

 

            The committee received a letter dated 13 March 2002 from the Centretown Citizen’s Ottawa Corporation in support of the staff recommendations.  A letter dated 20 March 2002 was also distributed after the meeting from the Centretown Citizens Community Association.

 

            Jim Kargakos objected to implementing the through movement prohibition 24 hours a day.  He indicated there are already many streets where similar movement restrictions have been imposed and he believed adding more will only make it confusing, especially for visitors to the City.  He suggested that one alternative would be to install a traffic signal which would allow for all movements to be made safely.  He also suggested the shrubs at the church on the corner of O’Connor Street be trimmed, as this would improve visibility.  Mr. Kargakos was also concerned that restricting the through movement, will divert the traffic elsewhere throughout the area.  He recalled that similar restrictive measures were implemented as part of the Kent Street traffic calming plan, but noted these had to be changed when difficulties arose.  He urged committee to do it right the first time.

 

            Councillor Arnold stated that the residents are in favour of the proposed recommendations and urged committee members to support the report.

 

Having held a public hearing, that the Transportation and Transit Committee recommend Council approve:

 

1.                  The proposed roadway modifications at Cooper Street and O’Connor Street as shown in Annex B (Stantec Consulting Drawing FM-227); and,

 

2.         That eastbound through movements at the intersection of Cooper Street and O’Connor Street be prohibited at any time, bicycles excepted.

 

                                                                                                CARRIED

 

ANNEX A

 

 


ANNEX B