COMMUNITY SERVICES AND ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE
	TO:	Mayor and Members of Council
	FROM:	Stan Bertoia, General Manager, Construction and Utilities
	PREPARED BY:	Stan Lau, Senior Project Manager
	DATE OF MEETING:	2004 – October - 04
	SUBJECT:	Replacement of 18^th Avenue Bridge over Bruce Creek – Filing of Environmental Assessment Project File

RECOMMENDATION:

That the Environmental Assessment Project File for the replacement of the 18^th Avenue Bridge over Bruce Creek be endorsed.

That Town Clerk be authorized to file the Environmental Assessment Project File for the 30-day public review commencing September 20, 2004.

And that staff report back on the results of the 30-day public review and recommended future actions.

PURPOSE:

The purpose of this report is to seek Council’s endorsement of the Environmental Assessment Project File (Attachment A) and the preferred solution for the replacement of the 18^th Avenue Bridge over the Bruce Creek.

BACKGROUND:

This bridge is located on 18^th Avenue between Warden Avenue and Kennedy Road and over the Bruce Creek. It is a single lane bridge serving a two-lane rural roadway. Due to its poor structural condition and substandard width, the need for a complete replacement was identified by Technical Services Department in 1999. Totten Sims Hubicki Associates (TSH) was retained by the Town in May 1999 for engineering design. However, after completion of some preliminary works, the project was put on hold due to objections from some of the local residents. In July 2001, Council approved retaining TSH to complete the design in accordance with Schedule B of the Municipal Class Environmental Assessment (Class EA).

As required by the Class EA, a Public Information Centre (PIC) was held on June 19, 2002 at the Victoria Square Community Centre. 11 persons attended the PIC. Their major concerns were related to the safety of pedestrians and the volume and speed of the traffic. They also prefer to have the bridge repaired at its existing width instead of its replacement to two-lane.

As a result of the PIC, an in depth bridge condition survey was carried out and a Life Cycle Cost Analysis conducted to compare the cost/benefit of bridge repairs vs bridge replacement.

Also, at the request of the Ministry of Culture, an Archaeological Assessment was conducted in September 2003 at the bridge site to determine whether the proposed bridge replacement would impact any potential archaeological site. Final approval from the Ministry of Culture was received in February 2004 and no more detail study is required.

The Project File is now completed and ready for the 30-day review by the public in accordance with the requirements of the Class EA.

A copy of the Environment Assessment Project file is available for review upon request.

DISCUSSION:

Response to resident’s concerns:

Issue: Traffic volume: Resident would like to have traffic volume reduced.

Response: The average annual daily traffic (AADT) for this section of 18^th Avenue, based on a traffic count conducted in September 2002, is 2,735. With the approved housing developments in Victoria Square area and the opening of the Highway 404/Elgin Mills Road Interchange, the projected 2011 and 2021 traffic volume for this section of 18^th Avenue are 11,500 and 13,600 respectively. Based on the projection, traffic volume will increase and the bridge will need to be replaced to meet the future traffic demand.

Issue: Replacement with a new single lane bridge:

Response: The September 2002 traffic count (2,735) is well in excess of the AADT of 400 stipulated by the MTO Bridge Office Policy Memo 98-04 (Project File - Appendix D, Ontario Highway Bridge Design Code) for consideration of implementing a single lane bridge.

Issue: Installation of Traffic Calming Devices:

Response: The issue of installing traffic calming devices can be addressed during detail design and in accordance with the Town’s policy and process for Traffic Calming Installation.

Alternative Solutions:

Three alternatives were identified in the Class EA:

1) Do Nothing/Interim Structure Repair: Based on its existing structural condition, “Do Nothing” is not an acceptable solution. As a minimum, this alternative would involve maintaining the existing structure and roadway in it’s current configuration and alignment. Minimum repairs would be undertaking to ensure the continued operation of the structure. It is anticipated that the service life of this alternative would be 5 years, after which the structure would have to be replaced. The problems of substandard width for a single lane bridge with high traffic volumes remain unchanged. Estimated construction cost is $50,000.

2) Structural Rehabilitation: This alternative would involve the rehabilitation and widening of the existing structure to meet the minimum geometric requirements for a single lane bridge. It is anticipated that the service life of this alternative would be 20 years, after which the structure would have to be replaced. The problems of a single lane bridge with high traffic volumes remain unchanged. Although Clause 12-6 of the Ontario Highway Bridge Design Code (OHBDC) appears to provide the Town the option of maintaining the deficient width in the event of bridge rehabilitation, the Town would have to reconcile the acceptance of all liability in the event of any traffic accident(s) that may occur after completion of the rehabilitation. Estimated construction cost is $170,000.

3) Structure Replacement: This alternative would involve the removal of the existing structure and replacement with a new two-lane bridge. It is anticipated that the service life of this alternative would be 75 years. This alternative would rectify the existing structural deficiencies and the substandard bridge width and high traffic volumes problems. Estimated construction cost is $325,000.

The width of the existing bridge is substandard for a two-lane roadway. Its structural condition is worsening (Attachment B) and requires immediate remedial actions.

Recommendation:

Complete structure replacement is the preferred solution because:

a) It would rectify all the existing deficiencies.

b) It would provide for future traffic projection needs.

c) The replacement option has the lowest Net Present Cost of the three alternatives based on the Life Cycle Cost Analysis.

FINANCIAL CONSIDERATIONS:

Cost for this bridge replacement project is included in the 2002 Capital Budget, Account No. 65-5350-4872-005 for Bridges and Culverts Rehabilitation.

ATTACHMENTS:

Attachment A – Environmental Assessment Project File – Executive Summary

Attachment B – Bridge Photos

Stan Bertoia, P. Eng.

General Manager, Construction and Utilities

Peter Loukes, P. Eng. Director, Operations and Asset Management

Jim Sales Commissioner of Community and Fire Services

Q:\Commission Share\Operations and Asset Management\Reports\2004\C & U\Capital Works R.O.W\Replacement of 18th Avenue Bridge.doc