Philip Avenue Overpass

PHILIP AVENUE OVERPASS

Welcome

Thank you for attending this information session for the Philip Avenue Overpass Project.

The purpose of this information session is to:

• Learn more about the refined Project design including noise walls and road network changes

• Talk with the Project team about your interests and concerns

• Provide your feedback

Please take some time to view the display boards, speak with members of the Project team and complete a feedback form.

For more information: www.dnv.org/philip Project in Context

This project is one of several transportation investment projects in the NSTA Project Benefits Include: North Shore Trade Area (NSTA), which extends along the north shore of • Increased trade efficiency Burrard Inlet. The NSTA includes port terminals and industrial activities and • Reduced noise from rail operations is a critical export gateway to the Asia-Pacific region. Philip Avenue Overpass Information Session • Improved safety Investment in the NSTA generates jobs, increases Canada’s GDP, and helps • Reduced road congestion provide for sustainable management of trade growth, including helping to manage community impacts. • Jobs and economic growth on the North Shore • Improved community connections

Western Lower Level Route Philip Avenue Overpass Low Level Road Project Brooksbank Avenue Lynn Creek Rail Bridge Extension Project Elevate and realign the existing Underpass New rail bridge over Lynn Creek Extend West 1st Street to Marine (Formerly Pemberton Avenue road between St. Andrews Expansion of the Brooksbank to accommodate Neptune and Drive. Grade Separation) Avenue and Kennard Avenue; Avenue underpass to allow Lynnterm West terminals; new Lead Agency: To be determined New overpass to connect West new overpass at Neptune/ ongoing vehicle access to grade-separated pedestrian Status: On hold pending 1st Street to McKeen Avenue; Cargill; eliminate 3 at-grade rail Lynnterm West Terminal crossing of the rail tracks confirmation of additional close the existing Pemberton crossings; provide for 2 new rail and other businesses along at Lynn Creek to provide funding partners Avenue crossing. tracks. Brooksbank Avenue south. train connectivity between Lead Agency: District of North Lead Agency: Port Metro Lead Agency: Port Metro Harbourview Park and the Lynn Vancouver Vancouver Vancouver Creek corridor. Status: Approved Status: Under Construction Status: Complete (March 2012) Lead Agency: Port Metro Vancouver Status: Complete (March 2011) Project Benefits

The Philip Avenue Overpass Project will provide an overpass across the rail tracks to replace the existing at-grade Pemberton Avenue rail crossing near West 1st Street in the District of North Vancouver.

The Project will: Philip Avenue Overpass Information Session • Improve traffic flow in the area • Provide cycling and pedestrian access on the new overpass • Reduce idling time and related air emissions • Allow for longer, more efficient trains with less noise from railcar switching • Close pedestrian access to rail tracks, improving safety and • Signalize the McKeen Avenue rail crossing, eliminating 32 whistles per day reducing noise events from train whistles

Congestion at Pemberton Avenue rail crossing Pemberton Avenue looking north Local area industrial facility Detailed Design

• Existing Pemberton Avenue crossing will be closed • 1m-wide shoulders for cyclists • New bridge will cross the rail tracks at Philip Avenue, with a loop ramp on the south • 1.5m-wide sidewalk on west side side to connect to McKeen Avenue and a straight ramp on the north side to connect to • Lamp standards on one side of structure; West 1st Street will be shielded to limit glare Philip Avenue Overpass Philip Avenue Information Session • Noise barrier walls will be installed adjacent to the CN Rail yard and along Welch • Rail clearance of 7.1m Street north of Philip Avenue • Maximum grade of 8%

Welch Street

1.5 M 4.3 M 4.3 M Garden Ave Garden Ave Bowser Philip Ave

st West 1 Street SB NB

McKeen Ave

CN Rail yard

PHILIP AVENUE OVERPASS CROSS SECTION: LOOKING NORTH

PHILIP AVENUE OVERPASS ELEVATION 22 M 47.8 M 22 M VIEW: LOOKING WEST

7.1 M 5 M 5 M

McKeen Avenue Railway Corridor West 1st Street Visual Assessment Philip Avenue Overpass Information Session

McKeen Avenue looking west Aerial southwest view

Welch Street looking south on Philip Avenue Aerial Philip Avenue view What We’ve Heard

Key Theme Project Response

Rail Noise • The Project will reduce rail noise by signalizing the existing Fibreco rail spur crossing A majority of consultation participants off McKeen Avenue and permanently closing and fencing the Pemberton Avenue rail expressed concerns about existing crossing, eliminating the need for routine whistling at this crossing. Emergency-only Philip Avenue Overpass Information Session rail noise, including train whistles and access will be through a secured gate. shunting, particularly at night. • Two noise barrier walls will be provided, one along the north side of Welch Street at Philip Avenue, and the other next to the CN Rail yard to the west of Philip Avenue.

Traffic Noise • Any increase in traffic noise from potential increase in traffic volume will be offset by Consultation participants noted concern rail noise reductions, meaning that the Project will result in no net noise increase for about potential noise effects from the nearby Norgate community. increased road traffic as a result of the • The noise barrier wall on Welch Street is strategically placed to shield vehicular noise new location and elevated structure. on the overpass.

Traffic Growth & Potential Traffic • The Project Team explored closing Philip Avenue between West 1st Street and Welch Pattern Changes Street to through traffic. More than 20 business representatives expressed concerns on Participants requested more the basis of access, safety and loss of business. Based on this input, Philip Avenue will information about potential increases remain open. in truck traffic on residential streets. • The Project Team is reviewing route signs as a means for directing traffic and deterring vehicles from using local streets.

Construction and Traffic Management • Once a construction contractor is selected, a traffic management plan will be developed Participants indicated that they would to minimize traffic delays and maximize travel time predictability for road users during like more detailed information about construction. construction and traffic management • The Project Team is confident that the Overpass and related road works on West 1st Street plans. can be constructed with no significant impact to traffic.

Air Quality • The Project Air Quality Assessment found that construction of the Project will likely Participants had concerns about reduce air emissions compared to existing conditions due to improved traffic movement potential changes in air quality. and eliminating wait times and idling associated with the at-grade crossing. Noise Mitigation

Two noise barrier walls will be constructed as shown. As a result of these walls, the updated noise assessment determined that the Project will result in no net noise increase for the nearby Norgate community and may reduce noise levels compared to existing conditions for some residents. The updated noise assessment report will be made available on the Project website at www.dnv.org/philip.

Three finish options are being Philip Avenue Overpass Information Session considered for the Welch Street noise barrier walls. Please review each option and fill out a feedback form to let us know your preference.

Finish A: Theme Finish B: Pattern Finish C: Stone

Philip Avenue at Welch Street (5m high) – Welch Street

shields from traffic on overpass

Garden Ave Ave Philip

West 1st Street

Rail yard wall (5m high) – shields from rail McKeen Ave noise switching and general rail operations Road Network Changes

Road network changes will relieve up to three hours per day of congestion at Pemberton Avenue, and will increase safety for all members of the travelling public. A small number of parking spaces at West 1st Street and Philip Avenue may need to be removed to provide space for the new turning lanes; however, care will be taken to remove as few as possible. • The at-grade rail crossing at Pemberton

Philip Avenue Overpass Information Session Avenue will close, eliminating wait times and Marine Drive idling at Pemberton Avenue Pemberton Ave Pemberton • Philip Avenue will remain open from Welch

Philip Ave Philip Street to West 1st Street • A new traffic signal will be installed at the existing West 1st Street/Philip Avenue intersection, and there will be slight adjustments at this intersection to accommodate turning lanes for the overpass

Noise barrier wall • The CN Transload facility entrance will be relocated to West 1st Street, west of Garden Avenue Welch Street • A stop sign will be added for southbound Garden Ave Garden traffic along Garden Avenue. The traffic

st Street assessment indicates that this will have West 1st Street West 1 the best intersection performance with no significant effect on traffic flow

Relocated CN Transload Ave Philip facility access McKeen Ave • A new rail signal will be installed at the Fibreco spur crossing on McKeen Avenue

Noise barrier wall Next Steps

Finalize Detailed Design June 2013 Philip Avenue Overpass Information Session Obtain key permits & approvals June 2013

Retain a construction contractor through a competitive selection process July – Aug 2013

Utility Relocations & Site Preparation Sept 2013 – Feb 2014

Construction March 2014 – April 2015

During construction:

• 2 lanes will remain open on West 1st Street

• Some lane closures may be required on McKeen Avenue for short periods of time

• All work will be done within District of North Vancouver noise bylaw requirements

• Construction staging areas and parking will be away from local streets Thank You for Participating

Please complete a Feedback Form.

Materials for this project are available online at www.dnv.org/philip

For more information, please contact: [email protected]