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Public Information Centre December 10, 2013

Highway 417, Limoges Road (County Road 5) Underpass

The Ontario Ministry of Transportation (MTO) retained Dillon Consulting Limited to complete the Design and Class Environmental Assessment (EA) process for the rehabilitation of the Limoges Road (County Road 5) Underpass on Highway 417 on the border of the Municipality of the Nation and the Township of Russell in the County of Prescott and Russell.

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Highway 417, Limoges Road (County Road 5) Underpass

• Introduce the project and outline the process being followed. • Provide background information on the need for the work. • Obtain input on existing conditions in the study area (natural, social, economic and cultural). • Obtain input on the preferred option for addressing traffic staging during construction. • Answer questions about the project. • Outline the next steps.

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Highway 417, Limoges Road (County Road 5) Underpass

Multi-Year Structure Rehabilitation/Replacement Program:

Limoges Road Underpass:

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MTO is completing a multi-year program to rehabilitate or replace 23 structures in Eastern Ontario, including the Limoges Road Underpass.

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The underpass was constructed in 1971 and was rehabilitated in 1984 to replace expansion joints, and add asphalt and waterproofing to the deck.

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Work is required at the various structures to address the deteriorating conditions, including the railings/barriers, decks, piers, abutments, girders and roadway approaches.

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Three alternatives were considered to address the deteriorating condition of the structure:

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Rehabilitations and replacements are being completed under a number of design assignments.

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Project details and updates are available at www.EastOntarioBridges.ca

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Do Nothing. This alternative does not address the identified need to repair the deteriorations observed on the existing structure.

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Rehabilitate. Based on the age and condition a rehabilitation will extend the life of the structure. This is the preferred alternative.

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Replace. A full replacement is premature at this time.

Construction is currently planned for 2014, subject to funding and approvals.

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Highway 417, Limoges Road (County Road 5) Underpass

This project has been categorized as a Group B project under MTO’s Class EA. A Group B project is considered a major improvement to existing transportation facilities and requires the preparation of a Transportation Environmental Study Report (TESR). The TESR is made available for a 30-day public review period.

Consultation

A Class EA Study considers potential impacts on the full range of the “environment”, including the natural, social, economic and cultural environments.

Generate & Assess Detail Design Alternatives

CONSTRUCTION

Evaluate Alternatives Develop Preferred and Select Design Alternative Preferred Design

Environmental Protection Measures

Environmental Documentation & Opportunity for Bump-Up Request

The Class Environmental Assessment for Provincial Transportation Facilities (2000) provides a decision-making process to ensure that all relevant engineering and environmental factors are considered in the planning and design of transportation facilities.

Transportation Engineering and Environmental Protection

DESIGN PHASE

We Are Here

Notice of Submission of Transportation Environmental Study Report

CONSULTATION THROUGHOUT

Environmental Protection in Construction

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Highway 417, Limoges Road (County Road 5) Underpass

The following summarizes the comments received as part of the Notice of Study Commencement. Frequently Asked Questions Question

Response

Can the underpass be widened to include cycling lanes, sidewalks or a • Based on the type of structure, it is not feasible to widen it. multi-use trail?

Due to the proximity to the Calypso Water Park, work should be completed outside of the summer months if possible.

The study should consider improvements to the full interchange, including a new westbound on-ramp on the north side of the structure for Ottawa bound traffic.

• Due to the extent of rehabilitation required, construction will be completed over two full construction seasons (including the summer months) (see Traffic management display). • The new westbound on-ramp was reviewed to accommodate traffic during construction but it was determined not to be the preferred alternative (see Traffic management display).

• The parking lot will remain open during construction. • Traffic signals will be optimized to minimize delays. Will the existing commuter parking lot be affected during construction? • Those responsible for managing the commuter bus services will be notified of the schedule in advance of construction.

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Highway 417, Limoges Road (County Road 5) Underpass

Community of Limoges

Calypso Waterpark

Eastern Meadowlark and Bobolink (Species at Risk) observed

Commuter Parking Lot Mixed Meadow and Deciduous Forest Habitats

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Highway 417, Limoges Road (County Road 5) Underpass

Typical Parts of a Bridge Proposed rehabilitation work includes: • • • • • • • • •

Repair concrete curbs, deck soffit and deck fascia Reface abutment bearing seats and replace bearings Place rip rap on both the north and south embankments Remove and reconstruct ballast walls Remove and reconstruct concrete approach slabs Remove, repair and reinstall existing expansion joints at both abutments Repair pier bearing Remove parapet walls and railing and reconstruct with new parapet walls with single rails Waterproof and pave deck and approaches

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Highway 417, Limoges Road (County Road 5) Underpass

Four options for addressing traffic during construction were reviewed: Option 1 – Full Closure Not Recommended •

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Close Limoges Road between the Highway 417 Interchange ramp terminals during construction Approximate construction duration is 5 months

Option 2 – Two Stage Rehabilitation Not Recommended •

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One lane of traffic during construction. Two directions of travel maintained using temporary traffic signals to alternate directions Construction completed in two stages

Advantages • • •

Minimizes construction duration • Lower cost based on decreased construction duration. • Improved worker safety •

Advantages

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Disadvantages No suitable detour route available if Limoges Road is closed All access crossing the structure would be cut-off during construction Limoges Road interchange is the primary access to Calypso Waterpark and to the Community of Limoges. Closing the underpass was not considered feasible due to impacts to the community and emergency vehicle access and the waterpark.

Disadvantages

Construction completed over • one construction season Detour is not required Access to existing ramps is maintained during construction •

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Queuing at the traffic signals is expected to create a safety hazard, extending down the ramp and onto Highway 417 and result in significant queuing on Limoges Road. AM peak hour traffic delays would range from an average of approximately 1 minute/vehicle up to over 12 minutes/vehicle for different movements. Due to the traffic safety concerns, this option was not considered feasible. Construction cost approximately 20% higher than Option 1.

Typical Staging Example (Option 2 and 4)

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Highway 417, Limoges Road (County Road 5) Underpass

Traffic Staging Schematic (Option 3) Option 3– Northbound Traffic Only on Limoges Road Underpass Not Recommended • One lane of northbound traffic maintained on Limoges Road during construction • Southbound Limoges Road traffic would be detoured westerly on Highway 417 to the Rockdale Road Interchange and back on the eastbound lanes of Highway 417 • A new on-ramp connecting southbound Limoges Road to westbound Highway 417 would be constructed to manage increased traffic volumes directed onto westbound Highway 417 • Improvements would also be required at the Highway 417 and Rockdale Road interchange

Advantages

Option 4 – Four Stage Rehabilitation Recommended • One lane of traffic during construction. Two directions of travel maintained using temporary traffic signals to alternate directions • Construction completed in four stages (north half one year and south half completed the next year) • Limoges Road re-opened to two lanes of traffic over the winter

Advantages

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Disadvantages

Minimizes northbound traffic delays • Improves access to westbound Highway • 417 from the community of Limoges Majority of traffic impacts would be • limited to year two, with the rehabilitation of the bridge •

New on-ramp has significant cost Southbound traffic on Limoges Road would require a long (20 km) detour No southbound access to the eastbound Highway 417 on-ramp, existing carpool lot and commuter bus stop Construction completed over two construction seasons: • Ramp construction – year one • Bridge rehabilitation – year two

Traffic Staging Schematic (Option 4)

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Disadvantages

Detour is not required • Shorter construction area across the structure allows the temporary signals to • operate more efficiently than Option 2, minimizing the safety and queuing concerns Access to existing ramps is maintained during construction AM peak hour traffic delays reduced to an average ranging from approximately 30 seconds up to 2 - 3 minutes/vehicle for different movements.

Construction completed over two construction seasons Construction cost approximately 40% higher than Option 1.

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Highway 417, Limoges Road (County Road 5) Underpass

In order to minimize traffic disruptions during construction, the following measures will be in place: • Traffic signal operations will be coordinated to maintain traffic flow and help reduce delays during daytime hours. • Advanced notification signing placed on Highway 417 and Limoges Road to advise of potential delays. • Single lane closures on Highway 417 will be required. Closures will be restricted to overnight periods. • Full closure of Highway 417 will be required once per year for temporary electrical work. Closures will be restricted to a maximum of 15 minutes per hour during overnight periods. • Full closure of the on-ramps at Limoges Road may be required. Closures, if required, will be restricted to a maximum of 15 minutes per hour during overnight periods. • Full closure of Limoges Road will be required 4-6 times per year for bridge jacking operations. Closures will be restricted to a maximum of 15 minutes per hour during overnight periods. • Advanced notification to Emergency Services, Municipality, Public Transit and School Boards of road closures. • Coordinate with municipality to keep public informed via local media and websites.

Mitigation measures will also be included in the contract to limit impacts to area residents and the natural environment, including: • Contract will outline type of work permitted overnight. An exemption to the local noise by-law will be sought for overnight work. • Access to the carpool lot will be maintained.

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Highway 417, Limoges Road (County Road 5) Underpass

Thank You For Attending. Your input is important to the outcome of this project. Fall 2013

Please complete a comment form and speak with a member of the project team regarding any comments, questions or concerns you may have. Information for this project 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.

Use input received from the Public and Agencies to confirm preferred rehabilitation plan

Winter 2014

Complete detailed design and environmental assessment

Transportation Environmental Study Report published for public review

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