Project:

Highway 417, from west of Highway 416 easterly to west of Anderson Road

Agreement #4005-A-000090

G.W.P. 663-93-00

TSH No.

42-91026

Meeting Date:

Tuesday January 14, 2003

Meeting Time:

7:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.

PUBLIC ADVISORY COMMITTEE (PAC)

Report Date:

Friday January 31, 2003

MEETING REPORT No. 1

Recorder:

Brenda Jamieson

Page:

1 of 4

Note: If any of the contents of this meeting report differ in any respect from your own recollection of the points discussed or decisions reached, please notify us immediately. In the meantime, we will proceed in accordance with the understanding described herein.

LOCATION:

Boardroom 2A, Ben Franklin Place, 101 Centrepointe Drive, Nepean

PRESENT:

REGRETS:

Jay Baltz

David Jeanes

Pierre Johnson

Trevor Lyons

David Morrow

Cam Robertson

David Lindensmith

Dave McAvoy

Brian Ruck

Paul Moore                                 

Brenda Jamieson

Lionel Dugue

David Gladstone

Joel McGrath

Steve Thibert

Mark Seymour

Hintonburg Community Association

Transport 2000

Ottawa East Community Association

Rosebery Avenue Residents Committee

Glabar Park Community Alliance

City Centre Coalition

Ministry of Transportation

Ministry of Transportation

Totten Sims Hubicki

Totten Sims Hubicki

Totten Sims Hubicki

City Centre Coalition

Qualicum Community Group

OTA – Tibbs Transport Inc.

OTA – Kriska Transportation

PAC 1.0          Introduction of Attendees

1.1

The meeting commenced with a round of introductions.

PAC 2.0          Presentation of Background Material

2.1

B. Ruck provided an overview of the project. A copy of the presentation material is attached. The following comments were noted:

·         The Municipal Technical Advisory Committee (MTAC) is comprised of City of Ottawa, OC Transpo and National Capital Commission staff.

·         To-date, there has been limited self-identification by individuals for the Public Advisory Committee (PAC). PAC participation will be encouraged at the PICs. If PAC membership increases substantially, multiple PACs may be formed.

·         The Draft Study Design Report will be available for review at the PICs. The report will be finalized after the first round of PICs, taking into consideration comments received from the public.

·         Air quality assessment should consider network benefits/disbenefits not just Queensway corridor benefits/disbenefits.

·         Consider deleting the word “improvement” in future consultation material since some individuals may not view the “alternatives” as “improvements”.

·         Concern expressed about traffic growth (induced traffic) that may occur if Queensway widened.

·         Concern expressed about the reliability of the EMME2 model forecasts. It was noted that the model was calibrated using actual traffic counts provided by MTO and the City.

·         The new population and employment forecasts and the transit targets developed by the City in the Spring of 2002 as part of the Transportation Master Plan Study were used in the demand forecasting. The urban boundary was based on status quo. Several members of the PAC noted that the City is contemplating a change to the urban boundary which may affect the modelling results. TSH will follow-up with the City regarding this issue.

TSH

·         The safety review for the corridor did not identify the existing narrow median on the Queensway as a problem. A detailed study of collision potential was notlikely done when the additional through lane was previously added. It was noted that the absence of the median shoulder can affect capacity since there is no refuge for a broken down vehicle.

·         ITS alternatives (eg. traveler information systems, incident management, etc.) will be considered for Highway 417 from Highway 7 easterly to Anderson Road.

·         Transit has not been carried forward as a standalone solution for the Queensway project. Transit is, however, an integral component of the demand modelling. The City’s transit targets have been used in all demand forecasting analysis.

·         Increased transit usage through increased/improved transit service should be considered rather than widening of the Queensway. MTO funding of transit initiatives is essential for the City to achieve their transit targets. MTO noted that the Ministry has committed funding to transit, particularly for fleet refurbishment.

·         Existing transit use in the corridor will need to be addressed as part of the study. The Project Team noted that the planned West Transitway at the west end of the project has been identified as a constraint.

·         High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lanes are being considered in the median. Vehicles with 2 or more persons would be eligible to use the lane.

·         Consideration should be given to changing the speed limit on the Queensway to 60 km/h. One member of the PAC noted that some research has shown that 60 km/h is the optimal speed for maximum throughput on a freeway facility.

PAC 3.0          Review of Corridor Analysis Plans

3.1

The corridor analysis plans, which will be presented to the public at the first round of PICs, were reviewed. The corridor analysis plans summarize existing and future conditions within the corridor from a geometry, traffic operations and safety perspective, document the identified problems and present a range of alternatives to address the identified problems. Major alternatives under consideration were highlighted in the presentation slides.

The following comments were noted:

·         Consider an alternative that changes the EB Metcalfe Street on-ramp from a two-lane on-ramp to a single lane on-ramp.

·         Concern expressed about the impact of alternatives under consideration on the adjacent communities through the downtown area.

·         Traffic calming measures have been implemented on Lyon Street.

PAC 4.0          Role of PAC in Alternative Selection

4.1

Not discussed. Will be discussed at future meetings.

PAC 5.0          Public Involvement Centres

5.1

The first round of Public Involvement Centres is scheduled for January 21, 22 and 23, 2003. It was noted that the same information will be presented at all three PICS.

5.2

Concern was expressed about the location of the venue for the central PIC (i.e. Jim Durrell Arena). Venue suggestions for future PICs are welcome. The venue must be large to accommodate the exhibits and attendees, must be fully accessible and must be available from mid-afternoon into the evening. Alternate venue suggestions included local Community Centres, the Old Algonguin Campus and the Tom Brown facility.

5.3

Attendees were provided with additional copies of the PIC notice for distribution to interested individuals.

PAC 6.0          Other Business

6.1

None noted.