NEW ROUTE 2 TRANS-CANADA HIGHWAY PROJECT PERTH-ANDOVER TO WOODSTOCK Final Comprehensive Study Report Volume 1 of 2 FINAL COMPREHENSIVE STUDY REPORT NEW ROUTE 2 TRANS-CANADA HIGHWAY PROJECT PERTH-ANDOVER TO WOODSTOCK NEW BRUNSWICK PROJECT NO. NBF14677 FINAL COMPREHENSIVE STUDY REPORT NEW ROUTE 2 TRANS-CANADA HIGHWAY PROJECT PERTH-ANDOVER TO WOODSTOCK NEW BRUNSWICK NEW BRUNSWICK DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION PLANNING AND LAND MANAGEMENT BRANCH Prepared by: Jacques Whitford Environment Limited 711 Woodstock Road Fredericton, NB E3B 5N8 Tel:(506) 457-3200 Fax:(506) 452-7652 May 21, 2004 TABLE OF CONTENTS Page No. 1.0 INTRODUCTION ...........................................................................................................................1 1.1 Project Overview .................................................................................................................1 1.2 Purpose and Need for the Project.........................................................................................1 1.3 Regulatory Framework ........................................................................................................2 1.4 Organization of the Report...................................................................................................3 2.0 PROJECT ALTERNATIVES..........................................................................................................5 2.1 Alternatives to the Project....................................................................................................5 2.1.1 Null Alternative .......................................................................................................6 2.1.2 Upgrading Existing Alignment................................................................................7 2.1.2.1 Third Lane..............................................................................................7 2.1.2.2 Twinning................................................................................................7 2.1.3 Alternative Modes of Transportation.......................................................................8 2.2 Alternative Means of Carrying Out the Project ...................................................................9 2.2.1 Overview of Alignment Selection Process ............................................................10 2.2.2 Route Selection ......................................................................................................11 2.2.2.1 Initial Alignment..................................................................................11 2.2.2.2 1998 Alignment ...................................................................................18 2.2.2.3 1999 Alignment ...................................................................................19 2.2.2.4 2003 Alignment ...................................................................................20 2.2.2.5 Summary of Alignment Selection Process ..........................................21 2.2.3 Watercourse Crossing Alternatives........................................................................21 2.2.4 Ancillary Facilities Alternatives ............................................................................33 2.2.4.1 Waste Disposal Areas ..........................................................................34 2.2.4.2 Borrow Pits and Quarries.....................................................................34 2.2.4.3 Removal or Modification of any Existing Structures ..........................34 2.2.4.4 Asphalt Plant(s) (Construction, Installation and Operation)................34 3.0 PROJECT DESCRIPTION............................................................................................................35 3.1 Project Overview ...............................................................................................................35 3.1.1 Project Definition and Location.............................................................................35 3.1.2 Proposed Highway Design.....................................................................................39 3.2 Purpose, Rationale, and Need ............................................................................................39 3.3 Proposed Project Elements ................................................................................................43 3.3.1 Proposed TCH Alignment......................................................................................44 3.3.2 Interchanges ...........................................................................................................44 3.3.3 Grade Separations ..................................................................................................45 3.3.4 Secondary Road Modifications..............................................................................46 3.3.5 Bridges and Stream Crossings ...............................................................................46 Project No. NBF14677 x Final Comprehensive Study Report x NBDOT ©Jacques Whitford, 2004 May 21, 2004 Page i TABLE OF CONTENTS (Continued) Page No. 3.3.6 Property Access Roads ..........................................................................................46 3.3.7 Other Proposed Project Elements ..........................................................................51 3.4 Project Activities................................................................................................................52 3.4.1 Construction Activities ..........................................................................................52 3.4.1.1 Site Preparation....................................................................................52 3.4.1.1.1 Surveying and Geotechnical Investigations...................... 52 3.4.1.1.2 Clearing and Grubbing...................................................... 53 3.4.1.1.3 Modification, Relocation, or Removal of Existing Structures .......................................................................... 54 3.4.1.2 Roadbed Preparation............................................................................55 3.4.1.2.1 Subgrade ........................................................................... 55 3.4.1.2.2 Excavation, Blasting and Ripping .................................... 55 3.4.1.2.3 Subbase and Base Construction........................................ 58 3.4.1.2.4 Structures (Overpasses/Underpasses) ............................... 58 3.4.1.2.5 Work Progression ............................................................. 58 3.4.1.3 Watercourse Crossing Structures.........................................................59 3.4.1.4 Surfacing and Finishing .......................................................................60 3.4.1.5 Ancillary Structures and Facilities.......................................................61 3.4.1.6 Decommissioning of Temporary Facilities..........................................64 3.4.2 Operations Activities .............................................................................................64 3.4.3 Maintenance Activities ..........................................................................................65 3.5 Accidents, Malfunctions, and Unplanned Events..............................................................66 3.5.1 Hazardous Material Spill .......................................................................................66 3.5.2 Erosion and Sediment Control Failure...................................................................67 3.5.3 Bridge or Culvert Washout ....................................................................................67 3.5.4 Fire .........................................................................................................................67 3.5.5 Vehicular Collision ................................................................................................68 3.5.6 Wildlife Encounter.................................................................................................68 3.5.7 Disturbance of Archaeological or Heritage Resources..........................................68 3.6 Environmental Management..............................................................................................68 3.6.1 Design and Construction........................................................................................68 3.6.2 Operations and Maintenance..................................................................................70 3.7 Project Schedule ................................................................................................................71 4.0 ISSUES SCOPING AND ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT METHODOLOGY ................73 4.1 Environmental Assessment Methodology .........................................................................73 4.1.1 Step 1—Scoping of Issues and Selection of Valued Environmental Components ...........................................................................................................73 Project No. NBF14677 x Final Comprehensive Study Report x NBDOT ©Jacques Whitford, 2004 May 21, 2004 Page ii TABLE OF CONTENTS (Continued) Page No. 4.1.2 Step 2—Establish Boundaries and Residual Environmental Effects Rating Criteria ...................................................................................................................74 4.1.2.1 Boundaries ...........................................................................................74 4.1.2.2 Residual Environmental Effects Rating Criteria..................................75