COUNTY OF BRUCE BRIDGE INFRASTRUCTURE MASTER PLAN CENTRAL BRUCE COUNTY COUNTY OF BRUCE BRIDGE INFRASTRUCTURE MASTER PLAN CENTRAL BRUCE COUNTY April 24, 2013 B. M. ROSS AND ASSOCIATES LIMITED Engineers and Planners 62 North Street Goderich, Ontario N7A 2T4 Phone: (519) 524-2641 Fax: (519) 524-4403 www.bmross.net File No. 11101 Z:\11101-Bruce_County-Bridge_Master_Plan\WP\Master Plan\11101-13Apr24-Bridge Master Plan.docx TABLE OF CONTENTS 1.0 INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................1 1.1 Purpose of the Report........................................................................................................1 1.2 General Description of Master Plans ................................................................................2 1.3 Integration with the Class EA Process ..............................................................................2 1.3.1 Class EA Project Phases ....................................................................................2 1.3.2 Classification of Project Schedules ...................................................................4 1.4 Master Plan Framework ....................................................................................................4 1.4.1 Alternative Approaches .....................................................................................4 1.4.2 Applied Framework ..........................................................................................5 1.4.3 Approval Requirements ....................................................................................6 1.5 Study Coordination ............................................................................................................6 2.0 STUDY AREA DESCRIPTION ....................................................................................7 2.1 Background Review ..........................................................................................................7 2.2 General Environmental Setting .........................................................................................7 2.2.1 Central Bruce County ........................................................................................7 2.2.2 Physiography and Soils .....................................................................................9 2.2.3 Hydrology .........................................................................................................9 2.2.4 Sensitive Natural Features in the Vicinity of the Project Sites .......................10 2.3 Bruce County Road Network ..........................................................................................12 2.4 Bridge Descriptions ........................................................................................................14 2.4.1 12th of Brant.....................................................................................................14 2.4.2 McCurdy’s .......................................................................................................14 2.4.3 Watson’s Bridge ..............................................................................................16 2.4.4 Big Irwin .........................................................................................................17 2.4.5 Little Irwin ......................................................................................................17 2.4.6 Dudgeon Bridge ..............................................................................................18 2.4.7 Gregg ...............................................................................................................18 2.4.8 20th Concession ...............................................................................................19 2.5 Background Studies ........................................................................................................19 2.5.1 General ............................................................................................................19 2.5.2 Bruce County Studies ......................................................................................20 2.5.3 Cultural Heritage Evaluation Report ...............................................................21 2.5.4 Natural Environment Characterization Report ................................................23 2.5.5 Stage 1 Archaeological Assessment ................................................................27 3.0 CLASS EA MASTER PLAN PROCESS ....................................................................28 3.1 Overview .........................................................................................................................28 3.2 Problem Identification ....................................................................................................28 3.3 Identification of Alternative Solutions............................................................................29 3.3.1 General ............................................................................................................29 3.3.2 Steering Committee Meetings .........................................................................30 3.3.3 Guiding Principles ...........................................................................................30 3.3.4 Identification of Alternative Solutions ............................................................30 3.3.5 Engineering Review ........................................................................................33 Table of Contents Cont’d 3.4 Evaluation of Alternatives ..............................................................................................35 3.4.1 General Process ...............................................................................................35 3.4.2 Assessment Methodology ...............................................................................36 3.4.3 Identification of Environmental Components and Sub-Components .............37 3.5 Environmental Effects Analysis ......................................................................................39 3.6 Preliminary Transportation Analysis ...............................................................................45 3.6.1 Background .....................................................................................................45 3.6.2 Methodology ...................................................................................................45 3.6.3 Preliminary Results .........................................................................................45 3.7 Preliminary Identification of a Preferred Solution ..........................................................46 3.7.1 County Highways Committee .........................................................................46 3.7.2 Steering Committee Meeting ..........................................................................46 3.7.3 Presentation to Municipal Councils ................................................................49 3.7.4 Revised Transportation Analysis ....................................................................49 4.0 CONSULTATION PROGRAM ..................................................................................51 4.1 Public Consultation .........................................................................................................51 4.2 Notice of Study Initiation................................................................................................51 4.3 October 19, 2011 Public Meeting ...................................................................................51 4.4 Review Agency and Stakeholder Circulation .................................................................53 4.5 First Nations Consultation ..............................................................................................54 4.6 November 21, 2012 Public Meeting ...............................................................................56 5.0 EVALUATION OF THE PRELIMINARY PREFERRED ALTERNATIVE .......58 5.1 Framework of Analysis ...................................................................................................58 5.2 Identification of Potential Impacts ..................................................................................58 5.2.1 General ............................................................................................................58 5.3 Impact Assessment and Mitigation ..................................................................................59 5.3.1 Potential Adverse Impacts ...............................................................................59 5.3.2 Traffic Movement – Short Term .....................................................................60 5.3.3 Traffic Movement – LongTerm ......................................................................60 5.2.4 Aquatic Habitat ...............................................................................................62 5.2.5 Terrestirl Habitat .............................................................................................63 5.3.6 Economic Impacts ...........................................................................................63 5.3.7 Cutltural Heritage Resources ..........................................................................64 5.3.8 Impacts to Navigation .....................................................................................65 6.0 CONCLUSIONS AND PROJECT IMPLEMENTATION .......................................65