Barrhaven Light Rail Transit (Baseline Station to Barrhaven Town Centre) and Rail Grade- Separations Planning & Environmental Assessment Study

Public Consultation Group Meeting #3 08 September 2020

Confidential 1 Agenda • Introductions • Study Objectives • Preliminary Recommended Plan – Baseline Station to Nepean Sportsplex – Nepean Sportsplex to Barrhaven Centre • Next Steps • Discussion

Confidential 2 Study Objectives • Study commenced September 2018 • Develop Recommended Plan for: – LRT alignment and stations – SW Transitway, Woodroffe, Fallowfield rail grade- separations – Train Storage and Servicing Facility (TSSF) – Supporting Facilities • Environmental Assessment following Ontario’s Transit Project Assessment Process (TPAP)

Confidential 3 Study in 2 Parts

• Baseline Station to Nepean Sportsplex: – Identify preferred LRT alignment • Nepean Sportsplex to Barrhaven Centre: – Convert existing at-grade BRT Transitway to LRT – New rail grade-separations at VIA Rail crossings

Confidential 4 Baseline Station to Nepean Sportsplex

Confidential 5 Overview • 2.4 km long corridor • 2 km protected corridor west of Woodroffe ROW • 3 new stations

Confidential 6 Three Key Design Considerations

• Grade-separation and associated clearance requirements • Geotechnical conditions of concern • Limited available right-of-way in the “pinch point”

Confidential 7 Grade Separation

• Extension of the City’s O-Train Line: – Fully grade-separated facility designed to the same operational and safety requirements • Close spacing between street crossings and need to go over or under CN Rail line – Allowable slope and required clearance dictate vertical alignment choice needs to be consistent for entire 2.4 km segment (no mix and match)

Confidential 8 Geotechnical Conditions of Concern

• Recent investigations – Woodroffe and Fallowfield Grade Separations (2002, 2003) – SW Transitway Extension – Baseline to Norice (2008, 2009) – Woodroffe Watermain replacement (2014) – This EA Study (2018) • Ground conditions: – Topsoil over Sensitive Marine Clays – Up to 13 m thick, over – Sands, Silts and Glacial Till – Up to 17 m thick, over – Bedrock – depth varies from 10 to 25 m over Study Area

Confidential 9 Geotechnical Conditions of Concern

• These ground conditions common in the Ottawa area • Well understood by geotechnical specialists to be very challenging to address – Groundwater levels would be several meters above any the base of any below-grade alternative – All below-grade alternatives extend into permeable sands below the sensitive marine clay level – Below-grade alternatives need to be designed to prevent any lowering of groundwater as this would lead to dewatering of the clay – Dewatering of clay is likely to cause settlement of the clay and the homes and structures it is supporting – This could extend several hundred metres either side of the LRT alignment

Confidential 10 Extent of Geotechnical Risks with Trench Option

• Number of buildings within potential impact zone (250 m from LRT alignment): – Commercial - 18 – Institutional - 13 – Office - 10 – Residential - 647 • Roads • Underground Utilities

Confidential

1111 Right-of-Way in Pinch Point • 1997 EA Plan located Transitway extension through pinch point in a cut-and-cover tunnel underneath SB lanes of Woodroffe Avenue

• ROW limited to less than 40 m

Confidential 12 Right-of-Way in “Pinch Point” • Approved 1997 EA plan through the “Pinch Point” to be re- evaluated • Both below-grade and elevated alternatives would be considered • Results of this focused evaluation would determine the preferred alternative for the entire Baseline Station to Nepean Sportsplex section

Woodroffe Avenue facing South at Pinch Point

Confidential 13 Alternatives Considered • Six alternatives between Knoxdale and West Hunt Club evaluated – Bored tunnel options screened out due to geotechnical considerations and cost – East side options screened out due to geometric design challenges, construction disruption and utility conflicts

Confidential 14 Alternatives 1 and 2: Below-grade in Woodroffe Avenue ROW

• Cut-and-cover tunnel or open trench

Confidential 15 Alternatives 3 and 4: Elevated in Woodroffe Avenue ROW • Elevated to reduce construction challenges • Median and west-side alternatives • Median option has potential to provide a new station at Nepean Sportsplex on the east side of Woodroffe

Confidential 16 Alternatives 5 and 6: West of Woodroffe Avenue ROW • Open trench and elevated alternatives • Continuous straight track geometry • Impacts some residential properties

Confidential 17 Evaluation Criteria

• A comprehensive list of criteria that respond to all aspects of the environment was used to evaluate the six (6) alternatives. Criteria groups included: – Transportation System Sustainability – NCC Greenbelt Sustainability – Ecological and Physical Sustainability – Land Use and Community Sustainability – Economic Sustainability

Confidential 18 Findings – Elevated vs. Below-grade • Below-grade alternatives: – expose the City to more risk and liability associated with geotechnical conditions – are more expensive and challenging to construct – have reduced noise, privacy and view impacts but creates barrier – generally supported by the community (tunnel preferred) • Elevated alternatives: – reduce risk and liability associated with geotechnical conditions – are more cost-effective and easier to construct – have the potential for use of the at-grade space below the guideway for mobility or community uses

Confidential 19 Preferred Alternative: Elevated West of Woodroffe Avenue

Confidential 20 Evaluation Rationale (Elevated versus Trench) Geotechnical Risks • Trench options must be within continuous permanently water-tight structure to prevent leaks • Leaks could lead to lowering of water table resulting in settlement of surrounding structures and underground utilities • Leaks very difficult to repair or correct – potentially require ongoing pumping/ recharge to prevent settlement • Legal liability for possible damages

Confidential 21 Below-grade Construction Methodology 2.4 Km of Continuous Watertight Wall

1 2

34 Confidential 22 Elevated Construction Methodology O/H Structure Supported on Piers every 30 – 40 m

1 2

34 Confidential 23 Evaluation Rationale (Elevated versus Trench) Minimizing Underground Utility Conflicts

Confidential 24 Evaluation Rationale (Elevated versus Trench) Underground Utility Conflicts • Elevated alignment avoids conflicts with existing underground utilities that cross the corridor, thus do not require complicated solutions to maintain existing or provide new crossings. • Major impacted utilities* include: – 2100mm dia. Tallwood Storm Collector Sewer – 2250mm dia. Lynwood Sanitary Collector Sewer – 1800mm dia. Sovereign Storm Collector Sewer – 1350mm & 1200mm dia. West Hunt Club Storm Collector Sewers – Proposed Enbridge Gas Distribution Main & others • Geotechnical conditions add challenges to utility relocations and connections due to depth of watertight cut-off wall *Note: only sewers > 1000mm dia. listed, there are many more utilities that cross the corridor

Confidential 25 Preferred Alternative Why Elevated? • Avoids geotechnical risks • Minimizes underground utility conflicts • Simpler and faster to build • Lower cost • Completely covering trench not a viable option Ottawa, Hurdman Station

Confidential 26 Preferred Alternative Why Elevated? • Does not create community barrier that limits pedestrians and cyclist movement across corridor • Trench option requires additional crossing structures • Open space below guideway can be programmed for community benefit • Provides opportunity for new N- S MUP within corridor

Confidential 27 Preferred Alternative Why West of Woodroffe Avenue? • Avoids impact to Woodroffe Avenue during and post construction • Straight alignment reduces noise, maintenance costs and provides best ride quality • Allows optimization of station locations and potential for integrated development opportunities • Best enables continuous MUP connection from Baseline Station to south of Hunt Club Road

Confidential 28 Impacts to Existing Residential Properties

• Three properties 1 between Knoxdale and West Hunt Club affected

• 120 of 205 existing 1 dwellings directly impacted 2 • Majority of the buildings 2 constructed prior to 3 1965 (55+ year old)

3 Confidential 29 Redevelopment Potential (Concept)

Confidential 30 Tallwood Station

Looking Southwest

Confidential 31 Knoxdale Station

Looking Southeast

Confidential 32 Nepean Sportsplex Station

Looking Southwest Confidential 33 Public Feedback – What We Heard • Support advancing LRT and rail overpasses sooner • Elevated facility: – Noise and visual concerns – How would snow be managed? – What would space underneath be used for? • Avoid traffic impacts to Woodroffe Avenue during and post-construction • Groundwater quality impacts

Confidential 34 Responses / Mitigation • Noise and vibration: no source mitigation needed • Views/Privacy: – alignment not close to existing dwellings – new developments designed to mitigate impacts • Seasonal Maintenance: snow management design guidelines such as wider guideway; MUP location • Corridor landscaping and space programming opportunities being developed • West of Woodroffe ROW avoids traffic impacts • No impact to groundwater anticipated

Confidential 35 Nepean Sportsplex to Barrhaven Centre

Confidential 36 Overview

• Convert 7.6 km existing Transitway to twin-track electric Light Rail Transit • Includes modifying Fallowfield, Longfields, Strandherd Stations • New LRT/BRT transfer terminal station with 250 space Park-and-Ride at Barrhaven Centre • Train Storage and Servicing Facility • Woodroffe Avenue, Southwest Transitway, and Fallowfield Road rail grade-separations

37 Nepean Sportsplex to Fallowfield Station

• South of Nepean Sportsplex station elevated LRT line will transition back down to grade • Will follow existing Southwest Transitway alignment west of Woodroffe Avenue through the NCC Greenbelt • LRT right-of-way to be fenced • Buses will operate in mixed traffic on Woodroffe Avenue during conversion – with transit priority measures at intersections

Confidential 38 NCC Greenbelt Considerations

• NCC land requirements minimized • Access for Greenbelt tenants maintained • Maintained and improved multi-use pathways • Views and vistas considered • Areas having natural environment value protected • New eco-crossings for wildlife movements

Confidential 39 Fallowfield Station • Major elements: – Elevated LRT station with new bus loop at-grade – New signalized connection to Woodroffe Avenue – New pathway connections – Integration with VIA Rail station

Hurdman Station Confidential 40 Conversion of SW Transitway Through Barrhaven • Grade separating existing roads: – Berrigan Drive – Marketplace Avenue – Chapman Mills Drive • Train Storage and Servicing Facility on existing City-owned lands • New LRT/BRT transfer terminal station and Park and Ride at Barrhaven Town Centre

Confidential 41 Longfields Station

• Major elements: – Conversion of existing station from BRT to LRT – Expanding lower level to accommodate fare gates and ticket vending machines – Existing below-grade MUP crossing maintained – Improvements to pedestrian and cycling facilities in the station vicinity

Confidential 42 Strandherd Station

• Major elements: – Conversion of existing station from BRT to LRT – Centre island platform in below-grade open trench – New pedestrian bridge connection to provide access to platform and retail uses west of station – Existing Park and Ride remains

Confidential 43 Barrhaven Centre Station

• Major elements: – Below-grade LRT station with new at-grade bus loop – Connects to future Chapman Mills and Greenbank Road BRT corridors – Compatible with future “civic complex”

Confidential 44 New Park and Ride Lot

• 250 spaces • Initial facility on west side of future station, compatible with existing Transitway • Potential for permanent shared-use facility underground in future “civic complex”

Confidential 45 Train Storage and Servicing Facility

• Stage 1 & 2 Confederation Line includes MSF at Belfast Road and Moodie Drive • Long distance between Barrhaven Centre and these sites requires additional storage facility • Allows for off-peak and overnight storage of trains to increase operational flexibility, reduce non-revenue train movements

Confidential Stage 1 & 2 Confederation Line LRT Map 46 Train Storage and Servicing Facility

• Storage to accommodate 8 trains (16 vehicles) • Servicing space for inspection, minor repairs • Facility to consist of: – Covered storage tracks (6); service tracks (2) – Administrative building for LRT staff, including parking • A site located directly adjacent to the LRT corridor near the end of the line is preferred

Confidential 47 Train Storage and Servicing Facility

• Six alternative sites considered:

1.Baseline Station 2.Woodroffe Open Space 3.Slack Road 4.Fallowfield 5.Greenbank 6.Barrhaven Town Centre

Confidential 48 Preferred Alternative - Greenbank • Accommodates all functional requirements • City-owned, close to end of line • Access from Highbury Park

Confidential 49 Mitigation Measures • Naturally buffered from existing residences by VIA tracks, Greenbank Road and SW Transitway corridor • Noise wall/berms around periphery of the site • Servicing activities to occur inside closed building • Lighting design to ensure no spill-over effects • Security fencing and landscaping

Confidential 50 Rail Grade-Separations

Confidential 51 Rail Grade-Separations • New bridges over VIA Rail for: – Woodroffe Avenue – Southwest Transitway – Fallowfield Road

Confidential 52 Woodroffe Avenue / SW Transitway Rail Grade-Separations

Confidential 53 Woodroffe Avenue / SW Transitway

Looking Southwest

Confidential 54 Woodroffe Avenue / SW Transitway

Looking Southeast

Confidential 55 Woodroffe Avenue / SW Transitway

Royale Equestrian Centre

New Signalized Intersection

Looking Northwest

Confidential 56 Detours During Construction

Confidential 57 Detours During Construction

Woodroffe Avenue Bus Priority Queue‐jumps at Slack Road

Woodroffe Avenue Bus Priority Queue‐jumps at Sportsplex Intersection

Confidential 58 Fallowfield Road Rail Grade-Separation

Confidential 59 Fallowfield Road

Looking Northeast

Confidential 60 Barrhaven Bus Detours

• Required during conversion of Transitway from Fallowfield Station to Town Centre – Use Chapman Mills Drive median BRT between Barrhaven Centre and Nepean Woods Stations – Some routes will connect to Fallowfield Station via Woodroffe Avenue – Some routes will cross Rideau River to connect to Trillium Line in Riverside South

Confidential 61 Implementation and Phasing

• Dependent on funding availability • Potentially two major phases: – Phase 1 – Baseline Station to Fallowfield Station (incl. grade-separations) – Phase 2 – Fallowfield Station to Barrhaven Centre Station • Transit priority measures at several locations in Woodroffe corridor to reduce bus delays • VIA Rail grade-separations can be built independent of LRT project

62 Next Steps

Scheduled Task Timeline Key Stakeholder Meetings July / August 2020 Study Consultation Group Meetings August / September 2020 Virtual Public Open House 09 ‐ 23 September 2020 Transportation Committee/Council November 2020 TPAP Notice of Commencement Winter 2021 TPAP Notice of Completion Mid 2021

Confidential 63 Discussion

Confidential 64 Thank You!

Contact:

Jabbar Siddique, P.Eng. Tel: (613)580-2424 Ext. 13914 [email protected]

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