Welcome! Haldimand County Caledonia Arterial Road and New Highway 6 Interchange Class Environmental Assessment
Thank you for participating in the Online Public Information Centre (PIC) for Haldimand County’s Class Environmental Assessment (EA) for a new Caledonia Arterial Road and Highway 6 Interchange.
At the present time, the Province of Ontario has implemented a State of Emergency requiring measures to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic, including restrictions on public gatherings. As a result, this Public Information Centre is relying on web-based communications. Should you have any questions regarding the study, please contact the County or Consultant Project Managers.
There is an opportunity at any time during the Class EA process for interested persons to provide written input. Any comments received will be collected under the Environmental Assessment Act and, with the exception of personal information, will become part of the public record.
Comments can be submitted by emailing [email protected] and/or [email protected] by November 24, 2020.
1 Introduction Haldimand County (County) has initiated a Harmonized Class Environmental Assessment (EA) Study to develop a transportation plan for:
A new Arterial Road from the intersection of Argyle Street South and the Sixth Line extension to a new intersection at McKenzie Road; and
A new Highway 6 interchange in a location to be determined between Sixth Line and Argyle Street.
This Study will complete the planning and preliminary design steps of the Provincial and Municipal Class EA by conducting a transportation needs assessment, generating and evaluating planning alternatives, and proactively involving the public in defining a recommended plan for improvements.
This Study is being completed as a Municipal Schedule C/ MTO Group B Class EA undertaking, based on the range of anticipated effects. A Potential Long Term Draft Study Design Report Extension not recommended as describing the study process part of this study (subject to future EA has been made available for Study) agency and public comments and is available on the County’s website.
2 Indigenous Peoples Traditional Territory
The lands within the Study Area are traditional First Nations lands that predate occupation by European settlers. Today, the active First Nations governments are the Six Nations of the Grand River and the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation. In addition, the Haudenosaunee Confederacy Chiefs Council (HCCC) has legislated the Haudenosaunee Development Institute (HDI) to represent HCCC interests in the development of lands within areas of Haudenosaunee jurisdiction, including but not limited to the lands granted by the 1784 Haldimand Proclamation. Lands within the Study Area are within areas where a land claim is ongoing and before the courts. Although a land claim is ongoing in the Study Area, the EA Study is focused on developing a transportation plan to facilitate the land use planning in the County and is not addressing land ownership. The land claim is therefore considered to be outside the scope of the EA Study.
The following exhibits illustrate the location and history of ongoing land claims. These exhibits have been provided by Six Nations of the Grand River’s Lands and Resources Department.
3 CALEDONIA ARTERIAL ROAD (PROPOSED)
STUDY AREA
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Six Nations Claim Areas Plank Road (Hwy #6) Said lands as granted to the Six Nations of the Grand River on October 25, 1784 "Which them and their posterity are to enjoy Caledonia Town Plot forever", Oneida Township, lands along the Hamilton Port Dover Oneida Township Plank Road, Highway #6 and the Town Plot of Caledonia. Hamilton Port Dover Plank Road
Sources: Esri, HERE, Garmin, Intermap, increment P Corp., GEBCO, USGS, FAO, NPS, NRCAN, GeoBase, IGN, Kadaster NL, Ordnance Survey, Esri ALL SUBJECT TO LITIGATION, COMMENCED MARCH 7, 1995 Japan, METI, Esri China (Hong Kong), (c) OpenStreetMap contributors, and SIX NATIONS LANDS & RESOURCES DEPT., 2020 the GIS User Community Plank Road Tier Lots
This exhibit is taken from the Six Nations Lands & Resources Department’s document: Land Rights – A Global Solution for the Six Nations of the Grand River. 5 Caledonia Town Plot
This exhibit is taken from the Six Nations Lands & Resources Department’s document: Land Rights – A Global Solution for the Six Nations of the Grand River. 6 Class Environmental. Assessment (Class EA) Process
This study is being initiated as a Municipal Schedule C / Provincial Group B project as defined by the Municipal Class Environmental Assessment (MCEA) and Ministry of Transportation’s (MTO) Class Environmental Assessment for Provincial Transportation Facilities documents. The County will be the proponent of the project and will consult with the MTO regarding all aspects of the joint Class EA.
Consultation is a key component of the Class EA process. The goal of consultation is to provide stakeholders and affected individuals opportunities to make their interests and concerns known to the project team throughout the EA process. The early identification of issues and concerns allows the project team to investigate with the goal of, if possible, resolving the concern.
At the completion of the EA process, an Environmental Study Report (ESR) / Transportation Environmental Study Report (TESR) will be produced. The Report will document key components of the study: need and justification; the range and types of consultation; natural and socio-economic environmental inventories; evaluation of alternatives; selection of the recommended alternative; and supporting reports produced for the project. Upon the completion of the ESR/TESR, the public and interested stakeholders will be made aware of 30 day public review of the Report.
If, after viewing the future ESR/TESR and having made your concerns known to the project team, you still have concerns during the 30 day review period, you have rights under the Environmental Assessment Act. These rights will be outlined in the public notice advising of the 30 day public review period.
The MTO and Municipal Class EA processes are illustrated on the following exhibits. 7 Municipal Class EA Process
Draft Study Design Report June 2020 Provincial (MTO) Class EA Process
Draft Study Design Report June 2020 Background
The southern limits of Caledonia will experience an increase in traffic volumes as a result of planned/proposed development shown. Major corridors within the Study Area include:
➢ Argyle Street: North-south arterial road providing access to residential and commercial properties. Provides a connection to the Highway 6 bypass and the only crossing of the Grand River within the urban area.
➢ McKenzie Road: North-south collector road providing access to residential properties and planned/proposed development (i.e. McKenzie Meadows, Beattie Estates).
➢ Sixth Line: East-west arterial road providing access to residential and commercial properties and the Six Nations Territory. A highway underpass is currently located at the Highway 6/Sixth Line crossing.
➢ Highway 6: 2-lane undivided highway through the Study Area. The highway bypasses the Caledonia urban area to the west of downtown Caledonia and is referred to as the Caledonia Bypass.
Six Nations of the Grand River Territory
Beattie Estates McKenzie McKenzie Meadows Meadows (Phase 1) (Phase 2)
10 Problem and Opportunity Statement
Road network improvements are required within the southern urban boundary of Caledonia to accommodate planned/proposed development south of the Grand River. Access between the areas north and south of the Grand River is limited to the two river crossings (Argyle Street and the Highway 6 Bypass), and by the lack of east-west corridors providing access to Highway 6. A transportation management plan is required to provide improvements or new facilities (i.e. new corridor, interchange) that can safely and reliably serve all modes of travel including vehicular traffic, goods movement, cyclists and pedestrians.
The Study will provide an opportunity to: ➢ improve efficiency of the road network; ➢ improve access and reduce traffic delays; ➢ define a long-term transportation plan to support travel within the County; ➢ support future growth within Caledonia; ➢ improve transportation for all road users; and ➢ improve access to the Six Nations of the Grand River Territory.
11 Highway 6 Planning
The MTO currently have no long-term plans for expansion of Highway 6 within the Study Area. The traffic analysis completed as part of this study is examining a shorter timeframe that will not address the potential for a longer–term future extension of the controlled access facility. Rather, the traffic analysis has defined that the project need and justification is to provide road connections to support the land development in the southeast section of Caledonia and improve access to the Six Nations of the Grand River Territory.
12 Study Considerations
Transportation – Improvements are required to: improve access between the Six Nations of the Grand River Territory and Highway 6; and accommodate planned growth in Caledonia south of the Grand River. The proposed arterial road and improved Highway 6 connection will accommodate traffic travelling to/from the new development in the southern part of the urban area with destinations or origins to/from areas north of the urban area. Using the Highway 6 travel route reduces congestion on the existing Argyle Street crossing of the Grand River.
Land Use – There are several planned/proposed subdivisions located within or adjacent to the Study Area in the southern urban area, and an identified Intensification Corridor along Argyle Street South. Additional land uses in the Study Area are predominantly Riverine Hazard Lands surrounding Douglas Drain, Agriculture Lands and Community Commercial Lands.
Natural Environment – The majority of the Study Area has been converted over time from a natural state to an agriculturally-dominated landscape. Remnant woodlots, the Douglas Drain and agricultural swales remain as the primary natural environmental features with the potential to support locally rare species or Species at Risk (SAR).
Consultation and Engagement – Communication and consultation with the public and stakeholders will be a key component of the environmental assessment process; providing an opportunity for input, information exchange and identification of issues/desires.
Utilities – The Study Area encompasses existing utilities including: a high voltage hydro transmission corridor; Enbridge and Trans-Northern pipeline; and primary/secondary hydro lines.
Indigenous Communities: The Study Area is located within the traditional territory of the Six Nations of the Grand River, and there is a duty to consult with Indigenous Communities. This Study will consider providing improved access to the Six Nations of the Grand River Territory, and input into decisions regarding infrastructure improvements will be sought through various means such as meetings with the communities.
13 Assessment of Alternative Planning Solutions Alternative Planning Solutions (Alternatives to the Undertaking) represent alternative ways or methods of addressing the problem to be solved by the project. In determining the preferred undertaking for the County, Planning Solutions were developed and evaluated including:
Do Nothing: This alternative would maintain the existing road network and would not construct a new arterial road or interchange.
Transportation Demand Management (TDM): Reduces vehicular traffic demand (encourages alternative ✓ work hours, work at home and active modes of transportation).
Greater Use of Local Roads: Encourage the use of local roads to reduce the demand on Argyle Street. However, local roads are generally not designed or maintained to accommodate high traffic volumes.
Limit Land Use Development: Limit any new residential, commercial or industrial development and therefore reduce the generation of new trips. ✓ New Infrastructure: Provides a long-term solution for improved traffic capacity, operations and safety. Based on the preliminary review of Alternative Planning Solutions, “Transportation Demand Management” and “New Infrastructure” are recommended. This Planning Solution addresses the problem statement by improving transportation service and safety.
The evaluation is documented in the Draft Study Design Report for public review and comment. All comments received will be reviewed and considered before proceeding with the Study and the evaluation of TDM (Active Transportation Improvements) and New Infrastructure alternatives.
14 Existing Conditions Traffic
Road network improvements in Caledonia are required for the safe and efficient movement of all modes of transportation (i.e. vehicles, pedestrians and cyclists). The Caledonia Master Servicing Plan (2019) evaluated traffic operations for the 2035 horizon year and accounted for planned/proposed development including the Beattie Estates and McKenzie Meadows. This report recommended implementation of a “Ring Road” (new arterial roadway) from the Argyle Street/Sixth Line intersection to McKenzie Road. The “Ring Road” would eliminate the need for traffic generated by future development to travel through residential developments/local roads to access Highway 6 (Caledonia Bypass).
Highway 6 through the Study Area is classified as a 2A-Principal Arterial under MTO’s Access Management Classification System and is a fully Controlled Access Highway (CAH). This study will consider an interchange on Highway 6 between Sixth Line and Argyle Street. A new interchange will improve access to the Six Nations of the Grand River Territory, Highway 6 and the second Grand River crossing.
15 Existing Conditions Natural Environment The Study Area contains a number of environmental features as detailed on the Environmental Constraints Map below. The majority of the Study Area is comprised of agricultural lands, existing road corridors, rural residential and drainage corridors. Remnant woodlands are present in the east part of the Study Area. Detailed terrestrial and aquatic field investigations will be conducted upon selection of a preferred corridor alternative. A memo detailing the preliminary site reconnaissance is available on the County’s website.
Woodlot east of Sixth Line
Limited flow, low depth Douglas Drain upstream of McKenzie Road
16 Existing Conditions Drainage / Stormwater Management
The Study Area is located within the Lower McKenzie Creek watershed in the Douglas Drain subwatershed (see below). There are several watercourses within the Study Area as illustrated on the adjacent exhibits.
Legend: Culvert Location Watercourse
17 Preliminary Design Alternatives – Arterial Road Alternatives
Preliminary design alternatives for the new Arterial Road were categorized into 3 groups including:
o Alignment Alternatives;
o Cross Section Alternatives; and
o Intersection Alternatives (Argyle Street/Arterial Road and McKenzie Road/Arterial Road).
These groups of alternatives are presented on the following exhibits.
18 Preliminary Design Alternatives Arterial Road Alignment – Do Nothing
19 Preliminary Design Alternatives Arterial Road Alignment – Alternative 1
20 Preliminary Design Alternatives Arterial Road Alignment – Alternative 2
21 Preliminary Design Alternatives Arterial Road Alignment – Alternative 3
22 Arterial Road Alignment – Coarse Screening Criteria Do Nothing Alignment 1 Alignment 2 Alignment 3 Access to/from ✘ - Poor ✓ - Good ✓ - Good ✓ - Good Caledonia development south of the Grand River Access to/from Six ✘ - Poor ✓ - Good – - Fair ✘ - Poor Nations of the Grand River Territory Property Impacts ✓ - Good ✓ - Good ✘ - Poor ✘ - Poor Natural Environment ✓ - Good – - Fair ✘ - Poor ✘ - Poor Social Environment ✘ - Poor ✓ - Good – - Fair – - Fair Cost ✓ - Good – - Fair ✘ - Poor ✘ - Poor Recommendation: • Not recommended • Recommended to • Not recommended to • Not recommended to to be carried be carried forward. be carried forward. be carried forward. forward. • Provides more • Results in significant • Results in significant • No property or direct access to property impacts. property and environmental Highway 6. • Poor traffic operation environmental impacts. • Some impacts to and safety (i.e. new impacts. • Does not provide the natural intersection located • Longest travel route. improved access to environment. in proximity Highway 6. • Portions are located horizontal curves, • No east-west within lands owned undesirable connection to by the County. intersection spacing serve planned and an additional at- development. grade crossing of the • Results in out-of- railway). way travel • Results in cut- through traffic on local roads. 23 ✘ ✓ ✘ ✘ Preliminary Design Alternatives Cross Section Alternatives
24 Preliminary Design Alternatives Intersection Alternatives (Argyle Street/Arterial Road)
25 Preliminary Design Alternatives Intersection Alternatives (Argyle Street/Arterial Road)
26 Preliminary Design Alternatives Intersection Alternatives (McKenzie Road/Arterial Road)
27 Preliminary Design Alternatives Intersection Alternatives (McKenzie Road/Arterial Road)
28 Preliminary Design Alternatives – Interchange Alternatives
Based on the existing municipal street network and infrastructure (i.e. hydro corridor, railway) the potential locations of interchanges are: o Interchange Location 1: Highway 6 and Sixth Line; o Interchange Location 2: A new Highway 6/ midblock connection. o Interchange Location 3: Highway 6 and Argyle Street;
These locations were coarse screened to only include those that can improve access to existing development and accommodate future growth.
Interchange Location 1
Interchange Location 2
Interchange Location 3
29 Preliminary Design Alternatives Interchange Alternative 1
30 Preliminary Design Alternatives Interchange Alternative 2
31 Preliminary Design Alternatives Interchange Alternative 3
32 Analysis and Evaluation
Alternatives will be evaluated following this Public Information Centre. The following long list of evaluation criteria (factor groups and subfactors) is being considered for the assessment of the alternatives:
Natural Environment Social and Cultural Environment Air quality Historic archaeological potential Species at Risk (SAR) Prehistoric archaeological potential areas impacted Cold / cool / and warmwater fish habitat impacted Built heritage sites impacts Water quality – stormwater runoff Cultural landscape features Migratory bird nesting impact/loss of existing Noise impacts vegetated areas Vibration impacts Provincially significant natural areas and habitat Excess materials management Regionally significant natural areas and wildlife Water wells impacted habitat (i.e. woodlots, Douglas Drain, unevaluated Lighting and visual impacts wetlands, fauna and flora) Economic environment Natural habitat impacted (e.g. specimen trees Improved access to local businesses removed) Transportation Groundwater Traffic operations - delays Climate change Highway safety - collision potential Land Use and Property Highway safety – design consistency Property required (Residential) Arterial road safety – design consistency Property required (Agricultural) Municipal traffic operations (delays) Property required (Community Commercial) Movement of goods Riverine Hazard Lands required Pedestrian access Number of potentially contaminated sites Ability to accommodate cyclists Cost Emergency vehicle access Capital cost Movement of farm equipment Future life cycle cost Utility relocation
33 Next Steps Following this meeting we will: ➢ Review all comments ➢ Carry out environmental inventories and technical Host Public Information Centre No. 2
We want to hear from you! ➢ Please provide comments by filling out the comment form or by contacting the County’s representative or the consultant below:
Steve Taylor, P.Eng. Kris Franklin EA Project Manager, Manager – Engineering Services BT Engineering Inc. Haldimand County 509 Talbot Street 53 Thorburn Street South London, Ontario N6A 2S5 Cayuga, ON N0A 1E0 Tel: 519-672-2222 Tel: 905-318-5932 ext.6438 Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected]
Please provide your comments on or before November 24, 2020.
Thank you for your participation in the study. ➢ To receive updates on the project, request that your name/e-mail be added to the mailing list. ➢ Your input into this study is valuable and appreciated.
All information is collected in accordance with the Freedom of Information and Privacy Act. ➢ investigations ➢ Complete the analysis and evaluation of alternatives 34