SOUTHDALE ROAD WEST - london.ca 2 Boards... · Phase 2 of the Class EA process has been completed....

SOUTHDALE ROAD WESTEnvironmental Assessment StudyEnvironmental Assessment Study

PUBLIC INFORMATION CENTRE 2May 31, 2018

PUBLIC INFORMATION CENTRE 2May 31, 2018

2015Under the Accessibility Standards for Customer Service Regulation (2008), theCity of London (City) is committed to ensuring that public participationopportunities are accessible to all participants. This Public Information Centre(PIC) incorporates the following accessibility features:

• Accessible venue location for persons with disabilities, includingwheelchair ramps, accessible washrooms, parking and elevators

• For persons requiring assistance, project team members will:o Explain presentation board contento Assist with the preparation and submission of comment forms

• Reading aids are available, including magnifying glasses.

ACCESSIBILITY

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Significant improvements are required to the grade and cross-section of Southdale Road West and Wickerson Road.

This study is assessing the need for traffic operations andsafety improvements, access modifications and pedestrian and

cyclist friendly design features on the two roads.

PRESENT the Study process and the problem

SUMMARIZE existing/future engineering and environmental conditions in the Study Area

PRESENT the preferred alternative solution and design option for the improvements

OBTAIN public/agency input and comments

OUTLINE the next steps in the planning and design process.

WELCOME!

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STUDY AREA

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PHASE 1:Problem/

Opportunity

PHASE 2:AlternativeSolutions

PHASE 3:Design Options

for PreferredSolution

PHASE 4:EnvironmentalStudy Report

(ESR)

PHASE 5:Implementation

ü Identify problems/opportunities to beaddressed in the planningand design process

ü Confirm the need forimprovements

ü Prepare a “ProblemStatement“

ü Develop alternativesolutions for improvingthe roads

üOverview of existing andfuture conditions

ü Consultation with reviewagencies and the public

ü Identify design options forthe preferred solution

ü Detailed overview ofexisting/future conditions

ü Evaluate design optionsand select a preferreddesign option

ü Consultation with reviewagencies and the public

ü Complete an impactassessment of thepreferreddesign option

ü Document the decision-making process in an ESRfor a Schedule C project

ü Design and constructionphase

ü Project must be designedand constructed asoutlined in the ESR

PUBLICINFORMATION

CENTRE 2May 31, 2018

The Southdale Road West study will follow all five phases of the Class EAprocess:

• Phase 1 involved the development of a “Problem Statement”• Phase 2 consisted of the development and evaluation of alternative

solutions. A preferred solution was chosen following PIC #1• Phase 3 evaluates design options for implementing the preferred

solution. A preferred design will be chosen at the end of Phase 3• In Phase 4, the ESR will be placed on the ”public record” for a 30-day

public and agency review period.

The Study is following the requirements of the Municipal ClassEnvironmental Assessment (EA) (2011) for a Schedule ‘C’(major) project.

The Class EA process ensures:ü All relevant engineering and environmental factors are

considered in the planning and design processü Public and agency input is integrated into the EA process.

WE AREHERE

CLASS EA PROCESS

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SUMMER 2018

PHASE 1 – PROBLEM/OPPORTUNITY

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Improvements are required to the grades and cross sectionsof Southdale Road West and Wickerson Road to meet theCity’s minimum design standards and improve road safety.The improvements will be planned and designed to:

• Implement the policies of the London Plan*, LondonON Bikes Cycling Master Plan Update and 2030 TMP

• Avoid or minimize impacts to the Lower DingmanCorridor Environmentally Significant Area,surrounding farmlands, neighbourhoods, naturalheritage features and cultural heritage features

• Incorporate required infrastructure and makeprovisions for future infrastructure, where feasible.

*As designated in the London Plan, Southdale Road West is classified as a Rural Thoroughfare and Wickerson Road as a Neighbourhood Collector.

Phase 1 of the Class EA process has been completed. The process involved the development ofa Problem Statement.

Southdale Road looking East

PHASE 2 – ALTERNATIVE SOLUTIONS

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Phase 2 of the Class EA process has been completed. The processinvolved the development of alternative solutions forimprovements to the roads.

Two alternative solutions were developed:• Do Nothing – Southdale Road West and Wickerson Road

would remain in the same condition with no improvements• Improvements to Southdale Road West and Wickerson Road

to meet minimum design standards• Alternative 1 – vertical and cross section reconstruction

to meet design standards on the existing horizontalalignment

• Alternative 2 – horizontal realignment of SouthdaleRoad West and Wickerson Road outside of the currentfootprint of the roadway. This alternative would alsoinclude vertical and cross section reconstruction tomeet design standards.

Alternative 2 was dismissed due to the significant impacts outside ofthe existing road footprint.

Evaluation Factors “Do Nothing” Alternative 1

Road Design Standards Does not meetdesign standards

Meets designstandards

Traffic Operations and Safety Does not meetdesign standards

Meets designstandards

Opportunities for Active Mobility No opportunities Opportunitiesavailable

Opportunities for new infrastructureinstallation (watermain, etc.) No opportunities Opportunities

available

Impacts on Natural Heritage No impacts Impacts

Impacts on Land Uses, Socio-EconomicEnvironment and Cultural HeritageResources

No impacts Impacts

PHASE 2 – ALTERNATIVE EVALUATION

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Alternative 1 – vertical and cross section reconstruction to meet design standards on the existinghorizontal alignment is recommended as the preferred solution as it can meet the City’s minimum roaddesign standards, improve safety, provide opportunities for active mobility, improve drainage andaccommodate other planned servicing improvements. Although it will have some impact on naturalheritage features, existing land uses and archaeological resources, these impacts will be minimizedthrough mitigation measures development during the completion of an environmental impact study aspart of the Class EA planning and design process.

The Preferred Solution will provide a 2-lane roadway with profiles designed to current standards. Theimprovements will result in improved sightlines for road users along the corridors, at intersections and atresidential access. Property will be acquired along right-of-ways to implement the preferred solution.

PHASE 2 - PREFERRED ALTERNATIVE

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Southdale Road West looking East

PHASE 3 - DESIGN OPTIONS

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1. Rural vs. Urban Cross Section• Urban section was chosen to minimize

footprint and manage stormwater

2. Cut Slopes in constrained areas -Options included: retaining walls/reinforcedslopes/2:1 slopes• Standard 2:1 slopes were chosen to

minimize cost, simplify construction,provide a more natural appearance andprovide additional area for replantingon slopes with no significant increase inimpacts to trees or vegetation

...continued

During the design development, several options were evaluated to minimize impactsto trees and the natural environment, including:

Phase 3 of the Class EA process is in progress. The process involves the evaluation of design optionsfor implementing the preferred solution. A Preferred Design will be chosen at the end of Phase 3.

Cross Section – Urban vs Rural Options



PHASE 3 - DESIGN OPTIONS

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Cross Section – Fill Slope Options

continued...

3. Fill Slopes at culvert in valley –Options included: retaining walls/reinforcedslopes/2:1 slopes• 1:1 Reinforced slopes were chosen to

minimize the footprint, provide a morenatural appearance and minimize thelength of culvert

4. Profile Optimization –Options included: standard (6% max) /substandard (8%) grades• Current profile was chosen to meet

standards for arterial roads, managecuts/fills and minimize driveway impacts

• No significant benefit by increasing gradesto 8%

5. Stormwater Management –• Storm sewers and low impact

developments (LIDs) will beimplemented to manage stormwater

6. Active Transportation• Sidewalks to be provided on North side

of Southdale Road/East side ofWickerson Road, multi-use trail to beimplemented per cycling master planand on-street bike lanes to be provided

PHASE 3 - PREFERRED SOLUTION

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NATURAL HERITAGE FEATURES

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1. Naturalized ConiferousPlantation

2. Dry-Fresh Sugar Maple-OakDeciduous Forest

3. Dry Fresh Sugar Maple- OakDeciduous Forest

4. Common Reed GraminoidMineral Meadow Marsh

5. Cattail Graminoid MineralMeadow Marsh

6. Dry-Fresh Mixed Meadow

7. Greenlands

8. Business Sector

9. Transportation

10. Sewage and Water Treatment

11. Single Family Residential

12. Rural Property

13. Annual Row Crops

14. Perennial Cover Crop

15. Open Pasture

16. Open Aquatic

17. Fencerow

18. Fresh-Moist Mixed Meadow

Turtle Overwintering Area andAmphibian Breeding Habitat

Potential Bat Maternity Colony

Environmentally SignificantArea (ESA)

Mature Trees Adjacent to theConstruction Zone

Observation of Species at Risk

Habitat for Eastern Wood-peweeand Wood Thrush

(Species of Conservation Concern)

An Environmental Impact Study was completed to understand natural heritage features in theStudy Area, including existing aquatic, terrestrial and wildlife conditions.

Natural Heritage features outside of the impacted areas will be mitigated. Strategies formitigating these impacts are outlined in the next slide.

Watercourses in the Study areaprovide Potential Habitat for Fish

Extensive large diameter treeremovals will be required forconstruction (see next slide)

LEGEND

Impacted Areas

Potential EnvironmentallySignificant Area



MITIGATING IMPACTS TO NATURALHERITAGE FEATURES

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The following mitigation measures are recommended to reduceimpacts to natural heritage features in the construction zone:

DuringDetailed Design

• Create a Tree Preservation Plan, including tree protection fencing andremoval timing guidelines and compensation planting plans includingcompensation ratio’s to be used for planting

• Develop Invasive Species Management Plan to target invasive flora• Develop Edge Management and Compensation Planting Plan, including

compensation ratio• Develop Erosion and Sediment Control Plan• Develop Wildlife Impact Mitigation Plan• Investigate low impact development techniques

Prior toConstruction

• Vegetation removals should take place outside of active season for birds andbats

• Invasive species removal

DuringConstruction

• Minimize area of disturbance and avoid sensitive vegetation and in-waterwork

• Necessary in-water work will be completed timing windows for fish• Sediment and erosion control measures• Incorporate wildlife impact mitigation measures• Develop an environmental monitoring plan, including monitoring in areas

where impacts to wildlife are possible and erosion and sediment controlmeasures are undertaken

• Contractors should receive SAR training

FollowingConstruction

• Planting of new trees to compensate for tree removals required forconstruction. Trees should be monitored to ensure health and survival

• Develop monitoring plan

THANK YOU FOR ATTENDING

Your input is important to the outcome of this project.Please complete a comment form and return it by:

June 15, 2018Personal information collected and recorded at the Public Information Centre or submitted in writing on this subject is collected under the authority of the

Municipal Act, 2011 and will be used by members of Council and City of London staff in their review of this matter. With the exception of personal information,all comments will become part of the public record. Questions about this collection should be referred to the City Clerk’s office at 519-661-2489.

NEXT STEPS

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• An Environmental Study Report (ESR) will be published to document the decisionmaking process for improvements to Southdale Road West and Wickerson Road

• The ESR will be available for public review in Summer 2018.

SOUTHDALE ROAD WEST - london.ca 2 Boards... · Phase 2 of the Class EA process has been completed....

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