Renforth Gateway Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Project Transit Project Assessment Process

Transcription

1 Renforth Gateway Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Project Transit Project Assessment Process Public Information Centre 1 June 1, 2011 RENFORTH GATEWAY

2 Welcome Please sign in and review the display materials. GO Transit staff and the study consultants are available to discuss plans and answer questions. Comment sheets are available. Your input is appreciated. 2 RENFORTH GATEWAY

3 Objective of the Public Information Centre Objectives: To inform the key stakeholders and the general public regarding the scope of the project; To present the preferred design alternative; To receive public input related to the preferred design; To outline the project process and the on-going public involvement opportunities. 3 RENFORTH GATEWAY

4 The Transit Project Assessment Process (TPAP) 4 RENFORTH GATEWAY

5 Project Description The proposed Renforth Gateway Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) is a critical project that proposes exclusive bus lanes to interconnect several individual public transit projects to help facilitate reduced travel time and improve on-time performance. These transit initiatives include: The Mississauga Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) will provide exclusive transit operations between Winston Churchill Boulevard through the City Centre to Renforth Drive; Bus-only ramps connecting Eglinton Avenue with Highway 427 to and from the south; and The Airport Renforth Precinct Study to investigate the transportation demand and development opportunities within the study area. The Renforth Gateway BRT Study has examined options to provide bus-only links between the eastern limits of the Mississauga BRT and Eglinton Avenue and Renforth Drive. 5 RENFORTH GATEWAY

6 Study Scope Develop the full range of design alternatives considering the constraints of current and future development in the Study Area; Quantify and evaluate design alternatives related to the: Natural Environment; Socio-Economic environment; Built Environment; Construction-related Impacts; Property Impacts; and Order of Magnitude Cost Estimate Prepare and submit an Environmental Project Report (EPR) documenting the findings of the TPAP for public, agency and stakeholder review. 6 RENFORTH GATEWAY

7 Study Area 7 RENFORTH GATEWAY

8 Renforth Gateway Key Connection 8 RENFORTH GATEWAY

9 Study Area Features The study area has been fully urbanized; High traffic volumes on area road network (401, 427, Eglinton, Matheson, Renforth); Most of the vacant lands are under public ownership (MTO and ORC); No environmentally sensitive areas have been identified; and The area south of the Eglinton corridor is occupied by large utility installations (Hydro One, oil pipelines, gas pipelines). 9 RENFORTH GATEWAY

10 Design Objectives Provide connections between the Mississauga BRT, Eglinton Avenue, and Renforth Drive; Avoid disruption of environmentally sensitive areas; Avoid costly relocation of utilities and municipal services; Maintain a good level of traffic operations during and after construction; Limit property impacts; and Protect for the possible future implementation of the Eglinton-Scarborough Crosstown LRT. 10 RENFORTH GATEWAY

11 Land Use 11 RENFORTH GATEWAY

12 Design Alternatives Considered Base Case: Do nothing bus use of the existing arterial road network Future Mississauga BRT Proposed grade-separated busway from Mississauga BRT to Hwy RENFORTH GATEWAY Future bus-only ramps by MTO Alternative 1: Extend grade-separated busway to Highway 427

13 Design Alternatives Considered Alternative 2: Bus-only links to arterial road network Future Mississauga BRT Proposed bus-only ramps to arterial road network 13 RENFORTH GATEWAY Future bus-only ramps by MTO

14 Impact Assessment Methodology Alternatives were assessed using comparative factors consistent with the direction provided by the MOE for the TPAP. Key assessment tasks: Data collection: detailed inventory of study area features, reference to past inventories of natural environment features; Development of scaled plans of the alternatives to measure property requirements; Identification of air quality and noise impacts; Preparation of order-of-magnitude construction cost estimates; Detailed inventory of municipal services and utilities; Stormwater and drainage modelling; and Archaeological and Cultural Heritage Assessment. 14 RENFORTH GATEWAY

15 Summary of Comparison of Alternatives Least Preferred Most Preferred Impact Assessment Factor Base Case Do Nothing Alternative 1: Grade-Separated Busway Alternative 2: Bus-Only Links Transit Operations Natural Environment Socio-Economic Environment Built Environment Construction-Related Impacts Property Impacts Order-of-Magnitude Cost Estimate Recommendation Not Recommended Not Recommended Preferred 15 RENFORTH GATEWAY

16 Plan and Profile of Preferred Alternative 16 RENFORTH GATEWAY

17 Current and Future Use by Transit Services Existing Future GO Transit Service Concept* Future MiWay (Mississauga Transit) Service Concept* Future TTC Service Concept* 17 RENFORTH GATEWAY * The final operational plan will be developed by the respective transit operators.

18 Impact Assessment Summary For Preferred Alternative Impact Assessment Factor Natural Environment Potential Impact 18 RENFORTH GATEWAY Mitigation Measure Air Quality No air quality impacts anticipated No mitigation required Watercourses / No watercourses present in study No mitigation required Fish Habitat area Groundwater Potential for impacts to shallow groundwater resources Obtain Permit(s) to Take Water from the Ministry of the Environment prior to construction if required Surface Water Vegetation Wildlife Habitat New stormwater runoff proposed to be conveyed to existing stormwater management system Removal of previously disturbed vegetation comprised of common and disturbance-tolerant species that will rapidly re-establish themselves following construction activities. No area-sensitive wildlife species or significant wildlife habitat known within the study area. Provide enhanced quality control for new stormwater runoff Re-establish vegetation areas following construction Ensure proper contaminant filtering of constructiongenerated sediment Environmental inspection during construction

19 Impact Assessment Summary For Preferred Alternative Impact Assessment Factor Socio-Economic Environment Potential Impact Mitigation Measure Visual Impacts No significant visual impacts anticipated No mitigation required Noise Conditions No significant impacts No mitigation required Soil Contamination Built Heritage and Archaeological Resources Property Impacts Existing contaminated soils may be encountered during the excavation of material for the construction of the bus-only links. No heritage or archaeological resources in the study area The project requires acquisition of or agreements to construct on municipally or provincially owned lands. No private lands are affected 19 RENFORTH GATEWAY Testing of excavated soil and shale during detailed design Development of a plan for disposal of contaminated excavated material during detailed design No mitigation required Liaison with affected provincial and municipal property owners to obtain agreement to acquire or construct on subject lands

20 Impact Assessment Summary For Preferred Alternative Impact Assessment Factor Built Environment Potential Impact Transit Operations Transit operations will improve by removing transit services from the influences of general traffic Mitigation Measure No mitigation required Traffic Operations No long-term traffic impacts are anticipated Reduce bus use of public roads No mitigation required Pedestrian and Cyclist Network Utilities and Municipal Services Impacts to existing sidewalks/paths along Eglinton and Renforth Impacts to local distribution facilities and municipal services No major pipelines or hydro facilties affected Incorporate re-aligned/reinstated pedestrian/cyclist connections in design to maintain continuity of network Re-align and re-instate affected utilites in accordance with utility owners requirements 20 RENFORTH GATEWAY

21 Impact Assessment Summary For Preferred Alternative Impact Potential Impact Assessment Factor Construction-Related Impacts Traffic Management Dust Control Construction Noise Potential for temporary detours and closures during construction Construction may result in creation of dust Potential for noise associated with typical construction activities Mitigation Measure Develop detailed traffic staging plan during detailed design phase of study Advise public of works in advance of implementation of detours or closures Ensure proper watering/dust suppressant techniques in accordance with mandated construction procedures Limit construction to time periods specified in the local noise control By-laws All equipment will be properly maintained to limit noise emissions in compliance with current regulations. 21 RENFORTH GATEWAY

22 Opportunities to Provide Input Written submissions to: Mr. James Hartley, PMP EA Project Leader GO Transit 20 Bay Street, Suite 600 Toronto, ON M5J 2W3 Tel.: , ext Mr. Dale Turvey, P.Eng. Project Manager McCormick Rankin Corporation 2655 North Sheridan Way, Suite 300 Mississauga, ON L5K 2P8 Tel.: , ext Fax: Comment online at: Please feel free to ask questions and complete a comment sheet before you leave 22 RENFORTH GATEWAY

23 Next Steps Comments submitted to the project team by June 15 th, 2011 Refinement of the preferred alternative Complete assessment of project impacts and development of mitigation measures Finalize and submit Environmental Project Report summarizing the investigations and findings of the study. THANK-YOU! 23 RENFORTH GATEWAY