Summary of Existing Environmental Conditions Report
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F SUMMARY OF EXISTING ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS REPORT Summary of Existing Environmental Conditions HIGHWAY 417 NICHOLAS STREET UNDERPASS REPLACEMENT (GWP 4048-11-00) Prepared for: Ministry of Transportation OCTOBER, 2017 1 INTRODUCTION ............................................. 1 1.1 Project Background ......................................... 2 1.1.1 Preliminary Design ...................................................2 1.1.2 Value Engineering Study ..........................................6 TABLE OF 1.1.3 Alta Vista Transportation Corridor Environmental CONTENTS Study Report (City of Ottawa)...................................6 1.2 Project Description (Detail Design) .................. 8 2 METHODOLOGY ............................................ 9 2.1 Natural Environment ........................................ 9 2.1.1 Terrestrial Ecosystems .............................................9 2.1.2 Aquatic Ecosystems .................................................9 2.2 Social / Economic Environment ....................... 9 2.2.1 Land Use ..................................................................9 2.2.2 Traffic and Active Transportation............................10 2.2.3 Site Contamination .................................................10 2.2.4 Utilities ....................................................................10 2.2.5 Context Sensitive Design .......................................10 2.3 Cultural Environment ..................................... 10 2.3.1 Archaeology............................................................10 2.3.2 Cultural Heritage.....................................................11 3 EXISTING CONDITIONS .............................. 12 3.1 Natural Environment ...................................... 12 3.1.1 Terrestrial Ecosystems ...........................................12 3.2 Social / Economic Environment ..................... 16 3.2.1 Land Use ................................................................16 3.2.2 Traffic and Transportation ......................................19 3.2.3 Site Contamination .................................................19 3.2.4 Utilities ....................................................................20 3.2.5 Context Sensitive Design .......................................21 3.3 Cultural Environment ..................................... 21 3.3.1 Archaeology............................................................21 3.3.2 Cultural Heritage.....................................................21 4 CONCLUSIONS & NEXT STEPS ................. 23 5 REFERENCES .............................................. 24 TABLES Table 1: Summary of Environmental Concerns and Commitments ...........................................................3 Table 2: Potential Species at Risk in the Study Area .........14 FIGURES Exhibit 1: Key Map of the Highway 417 Nicholas Street Underpass ................................................................2 Exhibit 2: Alta Vista Transportation Corridor Environmental Study Preferred Design ............................................7 Exhibit 3: Highway 417 Expansion - Vegetation Communities...........................................................13 Exhibit 4: Land Use Designations at the Nicholas Street Underpass (Ottawa Official Plan, Schedule B) .......17 Exhibit 5: Lees TOD Plan - Pedestrian Network.................18 APPENDICES Appendix A ........................................................ MNRF Letter Highway 417 Nicholas Street Underpass Replacement (GWP 4048-11-00) WSP Summary of Existing Environmental Conditions ii 1 Introduction The Ministry of Transportation (MTO) has retained WSP Canada (WSP), formerly MMM Group Ltd., to complete the Detail Design and Class Environmental Assessment study for the replacement of the Highway 417 Nicholas Street Underpass (Site #3-224) (GWP 4048-11-00) in the City of Ottawa, Ontario. Between 2002 and 2008, MTO completed a comprehensive operational review of Highway 417 (Ottawa Queensway) from west of Highway 416 easterly to Anderson Road (GWP 663-93-00) in response to growing traffic volumes in the City of Ottawa. This Preliminary Design study evaluated opportunities to optimize the use of the existing facility, while providing for the efficient movement of people and goods. The Recommended Plan for the Nicholas Street Underpass included relocation of the bridge piers in order to accommodate mainline widening of Highway 417 to four lanes in each direction. In 2009, MTO undertook a Value Engineering (VE) study to investigate and recommend alternative designs, construction methods, and construction staging plans for the Nicholas Street Underpass. The VE study recommended the full replacement of the bridge with a new two-lane structure. The purpose of this report is to confirm and expand on the existing environmental conditions and sensitivities that were identified during Preliminary Design. This information will inform the development of the Detail Design and will be used at the environmental impact assessment stage to refine the mitigation strategy for inclusion in the contract package. In order to update and confirm existing conditions, available background information was reviewed and appropriate databases were consulted. No ecological field work was completed during Detail Design. However, site reconnaissance was completed as part of engineering investigations, and confirmation of land uses in the vicinity of the project limits. The location of the Highway 417 Nicholas Street Underpass is identified in Exhibit 1. Highway 417 Nicholas Street Underpass Replacement (GWP 4048-11-00) WSP Summary of Existing Environmental Conditions 1 Exhibit 1: Key Map of the Highway 417 Nicholas Street Underpass 1.1 Project Background 1.1.1 Preliminary Design In 2007, the Preliminary Design for improvements to the Queensway from Highway 416 to Anderson Road was completed. The Recommended Plan was documented in a Transportation Environmental Study Report (TESR), which received environmental clearance in 2008. The TESR documents environmentally significant features along the study corridor and was supported by a series of speciality reports including: - Botanical and Wildlife Survey Report (Blythe and Associates, 2003); - Fisheries and Aquatic Ecosystem Technical Report (Warmé Engineering and Biological Services, 2006); - Social, Land Use and Planning Review Report (TSH, 2002); - Landscape Documentation (CSW, 2002); - Noise Report (NCE, 2002); - Air Quality Assessment (RWDI, 2005); and - Stage I and Stage II Archaeological Assessment Reports (C.R. Murphy Archaeological Consulting, 2002 & 2004). Highway 417 Nicholas Street Underpass Replacement (GWP 4048-11-00) WSP Summary of Existing Environmental Conditions 2 The key environmental concerns and commitments identified in the TESR that are relevant to the Nicholas Street Underpass replacement are summarized in Table 1. This table has been provided as a reference and forms the foundation upon which the impact assessment for the Detail Design will be completed. Highway 417 Nicholas Street Underpass Replacement (GWP 4048-11-00) WSP Summary of Existing Environmental Conditions 3 Table 1: Summary of Environmental Concerns and Commitments (Modified from Ministry of Transportation, 2007)* I.D. Issue/Concern Responsible I.D. Mitigation/Protection/ # Potential Effects Agencies # Monitoring 2.0 Terrestrial Ecosystems Ministry of 2.1 Minimize vegetation removal; provide protection for those trees to remain. Natural Impact on wildlife habitats - Resources due to removal of vegetation at the edge of forested 2.2 Replace vegetation where feasible (refer to landscape concept plan). areas. 3.0 Surface Water/Stormwater City of Ottawa, 3.1 Reduce runoff to pre-construction rates by using underground detention. Management Ministry of - Increased runoff resulting Transportation from increased pavement platform. 4.0 Land Use City of Ottawa, 4.2 Prepare Traffic Management Plan during Detail Design. - Traffic delays/access Ministry of 4.3 Maintain existing number of lanes on Queensway at most times during restrictions during Transportation construction except for minor reductions during off-peak travel times. Preclude construction. lane restrictions during peak travel times. - Impact on emergency service routes/access. 4.4 Implement elements of an Advanced Traffic Management System including changeable message signs and incident detection. - Restricted pedestrian/cyclist passage at the Queensway. 4.5 Maintain access to businesses and other properties throughout construction. 4.6 Ensure ongoing communication with emergency services during construction. 4.7 Free flow channelizations at ramp terminals removed, where possible, to better accommodate pedestrians/cyclists. *note that issues and mitigation measures not relevant to the Nicholas Street Underpass replacement have been removed; ID numbering is not in sequence due to these omissions. Highway 417 Nicholas Street Underpass Replacement WSP Summary of Existing Environmental Conditions 4 4.8 Accommodate the needs of pedestrians and cyclists during construction. Do not close adjacent crossings at the same time during construction. Provide alternative route and advance warning during temporary closures. 6.0 Aesthetics/Landscape City of Ottawa, 6.1 Minimize vegetation removal; provide protection for those trees to remain. Composition National - Loss of vegetation to Capital 6.2 Replace vegetation where feasible (refer to landscape concept plan). accommodate Commission, recommended Design. 6.3 Enhance aesthetic