1 Report to Rapport au: Transportation Committee Comité des transports 2 May 2018 / 2 mai 2018 Submitted on April 17, 2018 Soumis le 17 avril 2018 Submitted by Soumis par: John Manconi, General Manager / Directeur général, Transportation Services Department / Direction générale des transports Contact Person Personne ressource: Vivi Chi, Director / Directeur, Transportation Planning / Planification des transports, Transportation Services Department / Direction générale des transports (613) 580-2424, 21877, [email protected] Ward: BEACON HILL - CYRVILLE (11) File Number: ACS2018-TSD-PLN-0005 AND RIDEAU-ROCKCLIFFE (13) SUBJECT: Montreal-Blair Road Transit Priority Corridor (St. Laurent Boulevard to Blair Station) Environmental Assessment Study – Statement of Work OBJET: Étude d'évaluation environnementale du couloir prioritaire de transport en commun sur le chemin de Montréal et le chemin Blair (du boul. St-Laurent à la station Blair) – Énoncé de travail REPORT RECOMMENDATION That the Transportation Committee approve the Statement of Work for the Montreal-Blair Road Transit Priority Corridor (St. Laurent Boulevard to Blair Station) Environmental Assessment Study, as outlined in this report and detailed in Document 1. 2 RECOMMANDATION DU RAPPORT Que le Comité des transports approuve l’énoncé de travail de l’étude d’évaluation environnementale du couloir prioritaire de transport en commun sur le chemin de Montréal et le chemin Blair (du boul. St-Laurent à la station Blair), comme présenté dans le présent rapport et expliqué dans le Document 1. BACKGROUND The City's Official Plan (OP) emphasizes urban intensification and increased mixed-use development centred around transit corridors as one of the means to manage future travel demand and minimize the use of single occupancy vehicles during peak travel periods. The Transportation Master Plan (TMP) identifies a number of modifications to road and transit infrastructure to accommodate future travel demand on the City’s transportation infrastructure and to meet modal share objectives. Transit priority corridors complement the rapid transit network by providing improved city-wide transit access to major employment, commercial, and institutional land uses. Montreal Road and Blair Road are identified in the TMP as part of the 2031 Affordable Rapid Transit and Transit Priority Network shown in Figure 1. Figure 1: TMP Rapid Transit and Transit Priority Corridors A section of Montreal Road’s transit priority measures was already assessed through the 2017 Montreal Road Transportation Planning and Functional Design Study (North 3 River Road to St. Laurent Boulevard). This new study will examine the section of Montreal Road from St. Laurent Boulevard to Blair Road, and along Blair Road south to Blair Station. The Environmental Assessment (EA) Study will be completed in accordance with the Transit Project Environmental Assessment Process (Ont. Reg. 231/08). The EA Study will: Investigate options to improve transit service efficiency and travel environment for active and other modes of transportation along the corridor; Establish right-of-way requirements; Allow the City to protect land for the project; and, Allow the project to proceed to design and construction. Since the corridor is adjacent to federal lands (National Capital Commission (NCC), National Research Council Canada (NRCC), Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS), Communications Security Establishment Canada (CSEC) and Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC)), the project may also need to comply with requirements from the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act (CEAA) if federal land is affected. If that is the case, the EA processes will be co-ordinated to avoid duplication of effort. This Statement of Work (SoW) report outlines the scope, methodology, and deliverables of the EA Study. Details of the SoW are outlined in Document 1. DISCUSSION The Montreal-Blair Road Transit Priority Corridor (Figure 2) is approximately 4.4 km in length between St. Laurent Boulevard and Blair Station. The section along Montreal Road is designated as an Arterial Mainstreet in the City’s Official Plan. Arterial Mainstreets are prime locations that present opportunities to intensify and enhance development in a manner that creates attractive pedestrian environments, contributes to vibrant new neighbourhoods, and creates transit-friendly places. Blair Road (Montreal Road to Blair Station) is a north-south urban arterial. 4 Figure 2: Study Corridor After the opening of the O-Train Confederation Line, Blair Station will play a critical role as a high volume transfer station. The EA Study will investigate options to provide an efficient and reliable transit service connection between the Montreal-Blair Road corridor and Blair Station. This will complement the on-going planned changes at Blair Station as part of O-Train Confederation Line project. Key tasks for the EA Study include the following: Confirmation of future transportation demand in the study area including transit service and ridership; Development of options to address future demand for transit and other modes; Application of the Complete Streets framework and multi-modal level of service analysis within the context of existing and future land use; Assessment of walking and cycling infrastructure requirements and connections; Assessment and evaluation of environmental implications; o Geotechnical conditions; o Wetlands, natural environmental areas and features; o Stormwater management and hydrology; 5 o Noise, Vibration and Air Quality impacts; and, o Adjacent land uses and communities (existing and future). Undertaking of climate change adaptation and mitigation assessment and greenhouse gas emission analysis; Development of mitigation measures; Development of a Recommended Plan for the corridor (including functional design); Identification of capital costs for implementation; Consultation with federal agencies and departments, community groups, and stakeholders; and, Documentation. The EA Study is expected to be completed in approximately 24 months. RURAL IMPLICATIONS This report does not have a direct impact on the rural area of the city, as the study area is located within the urban boundary. CONSULTATION Consultation will include meetings with key stakeholders through the Agency Consultation Group, Public Consultation Group, and Business Consultation Group. Stakeholders include Indigenous People, federal government agencies and Crown corporations such as NCC, NRCC, CSIS, CSEC and CMHC, City’s Advisory Committees as appropriate, affected landowners, representatives of business groups and Community Associations. Consultation with the general public will occur primarily through Open Houses. A dedicated project web page will also be set up to share study information. COMMENTS BY THE WARD COUNCILLOR(S) Comments from Councillor Tierney (Ward 11) The Councillor is in concurrence with the report and does not have any specific comments to add to it at this time. 6 Comments from Councillor Nussbaum (Ward 13) Councillor Nussbaum is aware of this report. ADVISORY COMMITTEE(S) COMMENTS The City’s Advisory Committees will be engaged as part of consultation process. Typically, representatives of the Advisory Committees will be invited to participate in the study’s Public Consultation Group. LEGAL IMPLICATIONS There are no legal impediments to approving the recommendation in this report. RISK MANAGEMENT IMPLICATIONS There is no risk involved in approving the recommendations of this report. ASSET MANAGEMENT IMPLICATIONS The recommendations in this report are consistent with the City’s Comprehensive Asset Management (CAM) Program (City of Ottawa Comprehensive Asset Management Program) objectives. Undertaking the recommend studies and environmental assessments will provide the necessary information for the City to fulfill its obligation to deliver quality services to the community in a way that balances service levels, risk, and affordability. FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS Funding for this EA study recommended by this report is available in capital project account 908554 2017 Rapid Transit EA Studies. ACCESSIBILITY IMPACTS There are no accessibility implications in this report. As part of the development of functional design, the City’s Accessibility Design Standards will be applied. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPLICATIONS The EA Study will examine and evaluate the project’s effects on the social, cultural, physical, and natural environments within the study area. Appropriate mitigation measures will be developed and post mitigation environmental impacts will be determined. 7 TERM OF COUNCIL PRIORITIES The recommendation contained herein aims to support the following Strategic Objectives adopted by Council: Transportation and Mobility TM2 - Provide and promote infrastructure to support safe mobility choices; TM3 - Integrate the rapid transit and transit priority network into the community; TM4 - Improve safety for all road users; and, TM5 - Ensure reliable, safe, accessible and affordable transit services. SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION Document 1 – Montreal-Blair Road Transit Priority Corridor (St. Laurent Boulevard to Blair Station) Environmental Assessment Study – Statement of Work DISPOSITION Following the Transportation Committee’s approval of the Statement of Work, the Transportation Services Department will initiate the process to retain a consulting firm to assist the City with this Environmental Assessment Study. A call for proposal will be undertaken with the assistance of Supply Services.