Jockvale Road Multi-Use Pathway Rail Grade-Separation Environmental Assessment

In June 2017, the City of Ottawa Transportation Committee and City Council received the Barrhaven and Merivale Road Rail Grade Separation Study which examined the feasibility of grade-separating of four roadways and the Southwest Transitway where they currently have at-grade crossings with the VIA Rail line. The study included review of the at-grade crossing at Jockvale Road and identified a need for grade-separation in the future due to increase in train and auto traffic. The study was undertaken following a recommendation from the Transportation Safety Board in its 2015 report on the VIA Rail and OC Transpo train and bus collision that occurred in 2013.

Consequently, the City of Ottawa has initiated the Jockvale Road Multi-Use Pathway (MUP) Rail Grade-Separation Environmental Assessment (EA) Study to develop a Recommended Plan for a possible grade-separation of the MUP crossing where Jockvale Road crosses the VIA Rail line in Barrhaven.

The MUP runs on the southwest side of Jockvale Road and is currently well used by many residents. A key consideration in undertaking this study is to enhance safety of the MUP users.

The study area is illustrated in the key map.

Study Process

The study is being conducted in accordance with the Ontario's EA Act, fulfilling requirements of the Municipal Class EA process for a Schedule C project. The study will evaluate alternative solutions and designs for the project, assess the potential environmental effects of a Recommended Plan and identify measures to mitigate any such impacts. The objective of the EA will be to recommend a cost effective, context-sensitive, functional design that accommodates all users of the multi-use pathway, is compatible with surrounding land uses, and minimizes impacts on the surrounding environmental (social, natural/physical, and economic) conditions.

Consultation

The EA process requires a comprehensive consultation program involving stakeholders, including Indigenous communities, regulatory agencies, conservation authorities, local community associations, property and business owners, special advisory and interest groups and members of the public. Hence, there will be ongoing consultation activities during the course of the study.

As part of the study process, an Environmental Study Report (ESR) will be prepared to document the planning and design process and to present the Recommended Plan for the project. Upon completion, the ESR will be available for review by the public and review agencies for a period of 30 calendar days. Following the public review period, the project will be considered to have met the requirements of the Municipal Class EA Process and Ontario’s EA Act.

Study Timeline

The study is expected to be completed in Fall 2019.

For further information on this project, please contact:

Jabbar Siddique, P. Eng.
Senior Project Manager
Transportation Planning
Planning, Real Estate and Economic Development
City of Ottawa
613-580-2424, ext. 13914
Email: Jabbar.Siddique@ottawa.ca

The City of Ottawa has completed a Municipal Class Environmental Assessment (EA) Study for the proposed Jockvale Road Multi-Use Pathway (MUP) Rail Grade-Separation. The existing MUP is located on the west side of Jockvale Road and is heavily used by pedestrians and cyclists every day going to and from schools, commercial areas, institutions and other destinations in the community. This Study was carried out in accordance with the requirements for a Schedule ‘C’ project under the Municipal Class Environmental Assessment document (October 2000, as amended 2007, 2011 and 2015).

The EA study recommends an underpass solution to grade-separate the existing at-grade MUP where it crosses the VIA Rail Smiths Falls Subdivision rail line. The underpass solution will improve connectivity for the local and surrounding active transportation network and provide an enhanced environment for pedestrians, cyclists and those with mobility constraints.

The EA study evaluated alternative solutions and designs for the project in order to develop a context-sensitive Recommended Plan (functional design) that is compatible with surrounding land uses. The EA Study assessed potential environmental effects of the Plan and identified measures necessary to mitigate any impacts on the surrounding environment.

An Environmental Study Report (ESR) has been completed to document the planning and design process and the Recommended Plan for the Jockvale Road Multi-Use Pathway Rail Grade-Separation. The ESR will be placed in the public record and available for review and comment at the following locations during regular business hours for a period of 30 calendar days, starting on November 22, 2019. ​​

City of Ottawa
City Hall Information Desk
110 Laurier Avenue West

Ottawa Public Library
Ruth E. Dickinson Branch
100 Malvern Drive

Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks
2430 Don Reid Drive Suite 103
Ottawa, ON

Ottawa Public Library
Main Branch
120 Metcalfe Street

Carelton University
MacOdrum Library
1125 Colonel By Drive

During the public review period, interested persons are encouraged to read the ESR and provide written comments to the City:

Jabbar Siddique, P.Eng.
Senior Project Manager, Transportation
Environmental Assessments Branch
Planning, Real Estate and Economic Development
City of Ottawa, 110 Laurier Avenue West
Ottawa ON K1P 1J1
Tel: 613-580-2424 ext. 13914

If concerns regarding this project cannot be resolved in discussion with the City, a person/party may request that the Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks make an order to change the project status and require a higher level of assessment under an individual Environmental Assessment process (referred to as a Part II Order). A Part II Order request form is available online on the Forms Repository Website by searching “Part II Order”. The form must be received by the Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks and by the Director of Environmental Assessment and Permissions Branch during the 30-day review period at both addresses listed below. Reasons must be provided for the request. A copy of the request should also be forwarded to the City of Ottawa. If there are no requests received by 24 December 2019, the project will be considered to have met the requirements of the Municipal Class EA, and the project may proceed to design and construction as presented in the ESR.

Hon. Jeff Yurek
Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks, Ontario
College Park 5th Flr, 777 Bay St.
Toronto, ON M7A 2J3

Director, Environmental Assessment and Permissions Branch
Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks, Ontario
Environmental Approvals Branch
135 St. Clair Avenue West, 1st Floor
Toronto, ON, M4V 1P5

With the exception of personal information, all comments will become part of the public record. Information collected will be used in accordance with the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act and solely for the purpose of conducting the environmental assessment.