Post on 26-Aug-2020
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.
HIGHWAY 401 UNDERPASS REPLACEMENTS AT WESTLEY ROAD AND BAINSVILLE ROAD
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.
HIGHWAY 401 UNDERPASS REPLACEMENTS AT WESTLEY ROAD AND BAINSVILLE ROAD
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
HIGHWAY 401 UNDERPASS REPLACEMENTS AT WESTLEY ROAD AND BAINSVILLE ROAD
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
HIGHWAY 401 UNDERPASS REPLACEMENTS AT WESTLEY ROAD AND BAINSVILLE 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
HIGHWAY 401 UNDERPASS REPLACEMENTS AT WESTLEY ROAD AND 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
HIGHWAY 401 UNDERPASS REPLACEMENTS AT WESTLEY ROAD AND 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.
HIGHWAY 401 UNDERPASS REPLACEMENTS AT WESTLEY ROAD AND BAINSVILLE ROAD
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.
HIGHWAY 401 UNDERPASS REPLACEMENTS AT WESTLEY ROAD AND BAINSVILLE ROAD
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
HIGHWAY 401 UNDERPASS REPLACEMENTS AT WESTLEY ROAD AND BAINSVILLE 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
HIGHWAY 401 UNDERPASS REPLACEMENTS AT WESTLEY ROAD AND 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
HIGHWAY 401 UNDERPASS REPLACEMENTS AT WESTLEY ROAD AND BAINSVILLE ROAD
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
traffic and will require a detour
throughout the summer months.
• 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
traffic and will require a detour
throughout the summer months.
• 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.
HIGHWAY 401 UNDERPASS REPLACEMENTS AT WESTLEY ROAD AND BAINSVILLE ROAD
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.
HIGHWAY 401 UNDERPASS REPLACEMENTS AT WESTLEY ROAD AND BAINSVILLE ROAD
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: Trevor.Small@wsp.com
Fax: 905-823-8503
Ms. Nancy Elliott
MTO Project Manager
Phone: 613-545-4662 / 1-800-267-0295 (toll-free)
Email: Nancy.Elliott@ontario.ca
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 : Emily.Sangster@wsp.com
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.