MULTI-USE PATHWAY CONNECTION FROM COVENTRY ROAD
TO TRAIN STATION: ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT
STUDY –
STATEMENT OF WORK DOCUMENT 1
INTRODUCTION
The City of Ottawa is the proponent of an
Environmental Assessment (EA) to study a proposed multi-use pathway connection
from Coventry Road, at the baseball stadium, to the transit Train Station.
This Statement of Work (SoW) describes the City’s
intentions with respect to the methodology, public consultation and
deliverables for this study. The SoW
outlines the tasks to be undertaken to complete the EA study, and upon approval
from the City’s Transit Committee, will form the basis for a Request for
Proposal (RFP).
BACKGROUND
The Overbrook Community is an established
residential neighbourhood located inside the Greenbelt, bounded by the Rideau
River, the former City of Vanier boundary, St. Laurent Boulevard and the
Queensway. The neighbourhood is
comprised of a mix of dwelling unit types; served by schools, parks, commercial
and office uses. Access to the area is
limited from the south via the Vanier Parkway and Belfast Road, both of which
include challenging pedestrian environments that do not directly connect with
rapid transit. A paved multi-use pathway
exists along the eastern shore of the Rideau River; however, it also does not
provide convenient access to transit and is not maintained in the winter
months.
The Coventry Road Plan of Development was approved
by former City of Ottawa Council in December 1995 and includes a pathway
connection over the Queensway between the baseball stadium and the transit
Train Station. This link was deemed
necessary to achieve the then targeted transit modal split for the area in the
range of 20 to 25 per cent.
This proposed multi-use
pathway is considered an important link from the community to the transit station
and is encouraged through policies outlined in the Coventry Road Plan of
Development, Official Plan (OP) and Transportation Master Plan (TMP). The City’s Strategic Plan also requires an
emphasis on walking, transit and cycling in communities and employment centres
in developing and redeveloped areas of the City.
The TMP focuses on increasing the modal split to
support transit and encourage new infrastructure to improve access to transit
through a number of mechanisms, including integrating the pedestrian network
with transit facilities such as the transit Train Station. The TMP also specifically identifies this
multi-use pathway connection between the Coventry Road baseball stadium and the
transit Train Station as a required Phase 1 (2009–2015) multi-use pathway
infrastructure project.
PLANNING CONTEXT
As the City is the proponent for this undertaking,
this project is subject to the Ontario Environmental Assessment Act
(OEAA).
Federal EA requirements must also be addressed due
to a potential requirement for Federal lands, permits and funding. All relevant
environmental inventories and analysis undertaken for this assignment will be
of sufficient scope to satisfy both Federal and Provincial EA requirements.
PROJECT
DESCRIPTION
The
multi-use pathway connection involves the extension of the pedestrian and
cycling network over provincial lands (Highway 417) to connect the Overbrook
community with the transit Train Station and other developments to the south,
as shown in Figure 1.
FIGURE 1- General Study Area
MAJOR ISSUES TO BE
ADDRESSED
This study will determine how best to design and
integrate the preferred alignment and profile for the multi-use pathway,
including:
q
Compliance with
Transitway Design Guidelines and future LRT Requirements
q
Compliance with
VIA design goals and strategies
q Aesthetic considerations
q Pathway location, access points and configurations
q Effects on the adjacent residential community and
commercial development
q Integration with the existing pedestrian and cycling
environment, including safety and access considerations
q Effect on cycling
q Access to adjacent land uses
q
Impact on underground
and overhead utilities and services, both existing and proposed
In addition, safety, aesthetic value, functional and
security issues and emergency response will be investigated and addressed
throughout the course of the study.
PROJECT SCOPE, TASKS
AND DELIVERABLES
1.0 General
This project will be consistent with the approach
and requirements set out in the Environmental Assessment Act. Since there may be a requirement for Federal
land, permits and funding, the project must also comply with the requirements
of the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act (CEAA). This project must satisfy both Provincial
and Federal act requirements through a coordinated process to avoid duplication
of effort.
1.1 Study Area
The EA study area shown in
Figure 1 will encompass those lands that are within approximately
800 metres of the transit Train Station.
However, some study tasks will require examination of a broader area,
beyond these limits in order to address environmental impacts and operational
issues; to coordinate with relevant on-going studies and projects; and, to
study and identify tie-ins to future network connections such as drainage and
environmental influences.
The study area could be modified accordingly to
respond to new information and conditions as they emerge during the course of
the study.
The study will establish the requirements of the
connecting links for pedestrian and cycling access and identify any
right-of-way requirements and easements for the crossing.
1.2 Timing
The study is expected to be
completed within approximately 12 months of consultant selection.
1.3 Coordination with Other Studies
The EA Study process will take into consideration
any information including analysis and findings of previous and concurrent
transportation, development and infrastructure projects (i.e. Downtown Ottawa
Transit Tunnel EA) that could influence the direction and/or conclusions of the
Study. Relevant background material will
also be collected and reviewed.
2.0 Environmental
Assessment Study Tasks
The major
study tasks are summarized as follows:
2.1 Project Need
This study will assess and evaluate the need to
provide a pathway connection across the Queensway to the transit Train
Station. The key components of this stage
include:
q Identifying and assessing
future travel demand including the benefits to transit ridership and access to
the transit Train Station
q Identifying current and
projected transportation problems and opportunities within the study area
q Consideration of the implications of any corridor
specific needs and/or constraints on crossing roadways.
This analysis will be used to identify all
reasonable alternatives to the undertaking.
2.2 Environmental Inventory/Existing Conditions
An inventory of the social, economic, physical and
natural environments within the study area will be compiled. The inventory will consider all available
background material and where necessary, supplement this information through
on-site surveys and/or detailed studies.
In general, the inventory will identify and describe
those aspects of the environment that could potentially affect, or be affected
by, the undertaking. Some of the
specific aspects of the environment associated with this project include:
q Effects on green spaces and natural areas
q Adjacent communities including the Overbrook
Community
q Current and future cycling and recreational pathway
corridors/routes
q Potential influence of the project from/on
development patterns in the area
q Current storm water drainage patterns
q Subsurface (geotechnical) conditions
q Utilities including water, sanitary, hydro, gas,
cable, phone, fibre optic
q Heritage and archaeological conditions
The inventory must be completed for the entire study
area so that as alternatives are developed and analyzed, the cumulative effects
can be examined. The complete inventory
will be clearly described and documented within the final report.
2.3 Evaluation Criteria and Evaluation Process
A comprehensive list of evaluation criteria and
methodology will be developed and used to evaluate the various alternative
solutions and designs. Refinements may
be made to the evaluation process in order to accommodate changing conditions
or circumstances as they arise.
2.4 Alternatives to the Undertaking
Developing and examining a full range of options
complies with the EA Act requirement that all reasonable alternatives to the
undertaking be assessed. The
alternatives will be analyzed and evaluated based upon various criteria and
indicators to assess the impacts (with consideration to possible mitigation
measures) on the environment and to recommend a preferred alternative
solution.
The key components of this stage include:
q Identify alternative solutions to address
transportation problems. Examples
include:
o
Do nothing
o
Restrict
pedestrian and cycling access between the two land uses/areas
o
Provide a
pathway link between the two land uses
o Provide an alternative using
existing/proposed pathway connections within the public right-of-way
q Develop evaluation criteria
and indicators to assess the impacts (with consideration to possible mitigation
measures) on the environment by the various alternatives
q Analyse and evaluate the
alternative options and select the preferred solution(s) that best meet the
needs
Alternative options will be developed with input
from the Consultation Groups and will be presented to the public for comments
(see section on Public Consultation Plan).
2.5 Selection
of Design Alternatives
Provided the preferred solution involves provisions
of new pathway infrastructure, the Consultant will identify and evaluate
various design alternatives.
The pathway alignment and cross-section design alternatives
will be identified based on consideration of constraints within the study area,
input from the public and approval agencies, landowners, as well as City
guidelines/standards/practices. All
proposed designs will include any required modifications on crossing/connecting
roadways, either public or private.
The alternative designs will be assessed and
evaluated as to their affects on the natural, social, urban, economic and
transportation environments. To ensure
that all of the impacts are identified, the necessary investigations such as:
noise, air quality, vibration, heritage and archaeological, natural areas and
wildlife habitats, storm water management, geotechnical, traffic impacts,
accessibility and safety, urban and landscape design, property impacts and any
other research that would be required to properly define the effects of the
facility will be carried out.
The alternatives will be compared to each other with the
ultimate goal of determining a recommended design. This exercise will be carried out with input
from the study Consultation Groups.
Following the evaluation of alternatives and determining all necessary mitigation
measures to minimize any adverse impacts, a technically preferred design will
be prepared and the results will be presented at a final Public Meeting.
2.6 Recommended
Plan
Upon receipt and incorporation of public feedback,
the recommended design will then be developed to a sufficient level of detail
as required to produce a functional design plan that is adequate for
submissions for project approvals in principle and to establish a complete
scope of work, baseline budget and implementation schedules for the entire
project. The recommended plan will
incorporate the functional design plan and will include but may not necessarily
be limited to:
q A written
description of the undertaking including the design parameters.
q Functional
design drawings (plan and profile) for the preferred alignment with a coordinated
centerline and property envelope, structural general arrangement drawings
q Cross-section
drawings for typical sections as well as critical areas (e.g. Airport Parkway
connections, etc.);
q Implementation
(phasing) plan
q Recommended
mitigation measures to reduce the environmental impacts of the project
q Storm
water management requirements
q Cost
estimate of the proposed works (prepared in the WBS format with scope
statements for each element) for budgeting/funding purposes
The Recommended Plan will clearly identify and set
out the requirements and timing for all subsequent approvals required to
proceed with the construction phase of the project.
2.7 Environmental Assessment Report
The study findings and recommended design with mitigation
plans will be presented to the Transit Committee for approval. A Draft and
Final Environmental Study Report (ESR) will be prepared to document the entire
study process including the recommended design and any appropriate mitigation plans,
amending procedure, costing, and implementation and Staging Plan, and
commitments to future action, including external approvals known to be
required.
The final ESR, incorporating all pertinent comments, will
be prepared and placed on public record for a minimum 30-day review
period. The Consultant will be available
to address any issues as they arise during this review period. Reference copies of the report will be made available
at local libraries, City Hall, City Client Service Centres and the MOE Regional
and/or District office.
2.8
Federal EA Project Description
Report
Federal permits, property and funding may be sought before
project implementation can proceed. In
order to expedite the future federal approval processes, early discussions will
take place with the relevant federal Responsible Authorities (RAs) to identify
all federal EA requirements and initiate the federal EA screening process. This
will ensure that all relevant existing environmental inventory data collected
and impact assessments carried out during this assignment are scoped
sufficiently to address federal EA screening requirements.
A federal Project Description Report will be prepared,
containing a written description and general arrangement drawings for the
project in accordance with the requirements of the federal RAs. The report will
include enough information on potential impacts, mitigation measures and
conceptual compensation strategies to allow the federal agencies to conclude on
the significance of environmental effects at this early planning stage.
3.0 Consultation
This study will involve a
number of stakeholders, including community groups, property owners,
businesses, institutions, approval agencies and special interest groups. Early in the study process stakeholders will
be identified. This will be accomplished through various forms of consultation,
including liaison with City Councillors, community associations, approval
agencies and public notification.
The consultation program will primarily consist of
meetings with stakeholders, individually and through Consultation Groups, and
Public Meetings with the general public.
Consultation Groups will meet with the Study Team at key stages to
review and comment on specific issues, the study progress and findings. Two consultation groups will be established,
namely:
q Public Consultation Group (PCG)
q Agency Consultation Group (ACG)
The membership, roles and responsibilities of each
Consultation Group will be outlined and communicated to each prior to meetings
taking place.
Specific aspects of the consultation
program are detailed as follows.
3.1 Public Consultation Group
A Public Consultation Group (PCG) will be formed to enable
stakeholder groups to provide direct input to the study, advising and
commenting on local issues and concerns.
PCG members may include representatives from local community groups,
area business representatives, special interest groups, and adjacent property
owners including representation from each of the following groups:
q
Community Council of Overbrook
q
Area businesses and employers (Hampton Inn, VIA, Canadian Tire, RCMP,
etc)
q
Pedestrian and
Public Transit Advisory Committee
q
Roads and
Cycling Advisory Committee
q
Accessibility
Advisory Committee
q Environmental
Advisory Committee
q Other
interested groups or persons identified during the development of the study
design, or that come forward during the course of the study
3.2 Agency Consultation Group
An Agency Consultation Group (ACG) will be formed to
address the full range of technical and policy issues and to comment on all of
the special studies required to fully assess the various alternatives and to
ensure that the City is following the procedures, legislation and addressing
appropriate policies. ACG members will
include experts in their related fields from government agencies and approval
bodies including, but not limited to:
q
Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency
q
Parks Canada
q
National Capital Commission
q
Transport Canada
q
Department of Fisheries and Oceans
q
Ontario Ministry of Transportation
q
Ontario Ministry of the Environment
q
Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources
q City of
Ottawa
·
Public Works Department
·
Infrastructure Services Department
·
Planning and Growth Management Department
·
Real Estate Partnership and Development Office
·
Emergency Protective Services Department (Ambulance,
Fire)
·
Police Services
q Other
interested agencies identified during the development of the study design, or
that come forward during the course of the study
3.3 Notifications
The public will be notified of: the Study commencement,
all Public Meetings and the submission of the EAR for Ministry approval. Notifications will be sent out at appropriate
stages in the Study, and each announcement will take the following forms:
q Advertisements in daily newspapers (The Ottawa Citizen,
Le Droit)
q Advertisements in community papers where appropriate
q The project web site on the City’s web portal
3.4 Public Meetings
Public Meetings will be held to present and obtain feedback
on existing conditions and alternatives to the undertaking, the preferred
solution and alternative design concepts, and the recommended plan.
Background and presentation material will include a
“Project Update Newsletter” which summarizes the information presented at the
public meetings and will be available for general distribution. Bilingual staff will be present during all
public meetings and all material presented at the meetings as well as the
“Project Update Newsletter” will be bilingual.
3.5 Project Web Page
A Project Information Web Page for the Study will be
established on the City’s external web site. The purpose of the Web Page will
be to inform the public of the progress of the study and upcoming meetings or
activities, post the bilingual materials presented at each Public Meeting, and
provide a point of contact for e-mail correspondence. It is imperative that
bilingual information for the Public Meeting be ready and posted on the day of
each event.
3.6 Deliverables
The deliverables for the study include:
q Public Meetings Summary Reports – one for each
public meeting
q Project Web Page data – as required
q Project Update Newsletter – one for each public
meeting
q Draft and Final Environmental Assessment Reports
(EAR)
q Functional design drawings of the preferred design,
including plans and profiles for recommended alignments, proposed station
layouts and elevation drawings, structural general arrangement drawings,
utility relocation details, storm water management plans, landscape design
plans, and property requirement plans
q Project Implementation/Staging Plan, which will
identify all future approval requirements including those for property
acquisitions and easements and other property related matters
q Project capital and maintenance costs in WBS format
q
Approvals in principal as required by regulatory agencies