Report to/Rapport
au :
Transportation
and Transit Committee
Comité des transports et des services de transport en commun
and Council / et au Conseil
24 September 2003 / le 24
septembre 2003
Submitted by/Soumis par : R.T. Leclair, General
Manager/Directrice générale,
Transportation, Utilities and Public Works/Transport, services et travaux
publics
Contact Person/Personne ressource : Michael J.
Flainek, P.Eng., Director/Directeur
Traffic
& Parking Operations/Circulation et stationnement
(613)
580-2424 x 26882, Michael.Flainek@ottawa.ca
REPORT
RECOMMENDATIONS
That
the Transportation and Transit Committee recommend City Council approve:
1. The construction of a northbound
left-turn lane on Sussex Drive to service the proposed development referred to
as 700 Sussex Drive, provided that the proponent, Claridge Homes Corporation:
a) Fund all costs associated with this
modification.
b) Execute legal agreements with respect
to the above.
2. The construction of roadway
modifications on:
a) Sussex Drive, from Rideau Street to
George Street;
b) Rideau Street from Sussex Drive to
MacKenzie Avenue; and,
c) MacKenzie Avenue from the Connaught
Building to Rideau Street,
all
in accordance with National Capital Commission (NCC) Confederation Boulevard
Standards, provided that the proponents, NCC and Claridge Homes Corporation:
a) Fund all costs associated with these
modifications; and,
b) Execute legal agreements with respect
to the above.
RECOMMENDATIONS DU RAPPORT
Que
le Comité des transports et des services de transport en commun recommande au
Conseil municipal d'approuver :
1. la construction d'une voie de virage à
gauche en direction nord sur la promenade Sussex pour répondre aux besoins de
l'aménagement proposé désigné sous le nom de 700, promenade Sussex, à condition
que le promoteur, Claridge Homes Corporation, :
a)
défraie tous les coûts liés à la modification;
b)
conclue un accord juridique en ce qui a trait au point précité.
2. les travaux de modification des
chaussées suivantes :
a)
Promenade Sussex, entre les rues Rideau et George;
b)
Rue Rideau, entre la promenade Sussex et l'avenue MacKenzie;
c)
Avenue MacKenzie, entre l'édifice Connaught et la rue Rideau;
modifications
effectuées conformément avec les normes du boulevard de la Confédération
établies par la Commission de la capitale nationale (CCN):
a) défrai tous les coûts liés à cette
modifications;
b) conclue un accord juridique en ce qui a
trait au point précité.
BACKGROUND
Recommendation 1: Claridge Homes Corporation is developing the site at the northwest corner of the intersection of Sussex Drive and Rideau Street, formerly referred to as the Daly Site and now called 700 Sussex Drive. The site location is shown in Annex A. It will consist of a 9 to 11 storey building, housing condominium apartments with ground floor retail/commercial units. Parking for 171 vehicles will be provided by two levels of underground parking garage. The development received site plan approval on 29 November 2002. One of the conditions of approval is that Claridge Homes receive approval from both the City and National Capital Commission (NCC) on the realignment of Sussex Drive to include a dedicated northbound left-turn lane into the site.
Recommendation 2: As part of the Confederation Boulevard project being implemented by the NCC, roadway modifications on Sussex Drive, Rideau Street and MacKenzie Avenue are proposed and require coordination with the site works for 700 Sussex Drive. These works include shifting MacKenzie Avenue approximately 5.0m to the east, realignment of the Rideau Street north side curb approximately 2.0m to the south and realignment of Sussex Drive to accommodate both the left- turn lane and Confederation Boulevard Streetscape Standards.
The existing roadway conditions are illustrated in Annex B. The proposed roadway alignment is shown in Annex C. Annex D depicts the proposed streetscaping plan developed in accordance with Confederation Boulevard Standards.
ANALYSIS
Preamble:
A Transportation Impact Study prepared in December 2002, examined the expected traffic volumes for full development of the 700 Sussex Drive site. The report determined that:
A northbound left-turn lane is required on Sussex Drive.
Widening of Sussex Drive between George Street and Rideau Street is required to accommodate the northbound left-turn lane.
To accommodate truck turning movements in to and out of the proposed delivery area, a width of 6.7m would be acceptable for two-way access.
Because the site access, which will be shared with the Connaught Building, is not directly aligned with George Street at its intersection with Sussex Drive, the site access will be serviced by a separate traffic control signal phase.
In conjunction with the development of 700 Sussex Drive, the NCC proposes to continue the implementation of Confederation Boulevard to improve both the pedestrian facilities and the pedestrian environment in this area, by means of its signature streetscaping, including wider sidewalks, concrete crosswalks at signalized intersections, surface treatment, tree planting, lighting and banners.
In the winter months, ice falling from the Fairmont Chateau Laurier Hotel constitutes a safety hazard, such that the west sidewalk on MacKenzie Avenue must be closed to pedestrians. To address this situation the NCC proposes to shift the sidewalk and the traffic lanes 5.0m to the east. As a result, modification to the Rideau Street centreline concrete median will be necessary.
Due to the narrow sidewalk along the east side of Colonel By Drive adjacent to the Rideau Centre, the NCC proposes to shift the alignment so that the width of this sidewalk increases to 2.0m from 0.73m at the corner. North of Rideau Street, along the east side of Sussex Drive, the sidewalk width will taper to 4.6m from 3.0m.
Existing Conditions:
Sussex Drive between George Street and Rideau Street is a four-lane, undivided urban arterial roadway, except at the Rideau Street/Sussex Drive/Colonel By Drive intersection, where a 1.0m wide concrete median extends 8.0m north of the intersection.
George Street is a two-lane, undivided street with an additional left-turn lane introduced at the signalized intersection of George Street/Sussex Drive. George Street "tees" into the east side of Sussex Drive.
Rideau Street between Sussex Drive and MacKenzie Avenue, is a six-lane urban divided arterial roadway with two westbound lanes and four eastbound lanes (two left-turning lanes and two through lanes).
MacKenzie Avenue is a one-way urban arterial roadway in the southbound direction with a three-lane cross section comprised of one through lane and two right-turning lanes.
Annex B illustrates the existing travel lane information at the intersections of George Street/Sussex Drive, Sussex Drive/Rideau Street and, MacKenzie Avenue/Rideau Street.
Pedestrians:
Concrete sidewalks exist on both sides of Sussex Drive. Between George Street and Rideau Street, the sidewalk along the east side of Sussex is 3.0m in width while the sidewalk along the west side varies between 2.0m and 3.0m in width.
During an 8-hour traffic survey (7:00-10:00, 11:30-13:30, 15:00-18:00) conducted on Tuesday, 16 July 2002, at the intersection of George Street and Sussex Drive, a total of 3,032 pedestrians were observed crossing Sussex Drive; 1,447 at the southern crosswalk and 1,585 at the northern crosswalk. Meanwhile, 2,032 pedestrians were observed crossing George Street along the west crosswalk and 3,958 pedestrians were counted travelling along the east crosswalk.
The concrete sidewalk along the north side of Rideau Street, between Sussex Drive and MacKenzie Avenue is 3.0m in width. The concrete sidewalk along the west side of MacKenzie Avenue is approximately 3.0m in width while the sidewalk along the east side is approximately 3.3m in width.
During an 8-hour traffic survey carried out on Friday, 9 August 2002, at the intersection of Rideau Street and Sussex Drive/Colonel By Drive, a total of 10,768 pedestrians were observed crossing Sussex Drive, 4,463 at the northern crosswalk and 6,305 crossing Colonel By Drive at the southern crosswalk. Crossing Rideau Street, 1,538 pedestrians were observed walking along the western crosswalk while 5,136 pedestrians travelled along the eastern crosswalk. Based on an 8-hour traffic volume survey carried out on Monday, 28 July 1997, at the intersection of Rideau Street and MacKenzie Avenue, a total of 5,251 pedestrians were observed crossing MacKenzie Avenue, in front of the Fairmont Chateau Laurier.
Bicycles:
Currently, no on-road cycling facilities are provided on Sussex Drive between George Street and Rideau Street, on Colonel By Drive south of Rideau Street, on MacKenzie Avenue between St. Patrick Street and Rideau Street, or on Rideau Street westbound between Sussex Drive and MacKenzie Avenue.
The volume of cyclists at the intersection of Sussex Drive and George Street was recorded in the traffic survey of 16 July 2002. Over the eight-hour period, 662 cyclists, comprised of 574 northbound and 88 southbound, were observed travelling on Sussex Drive and 174 cyclists, 23 eastbound and 151 westbound, were counted on George Street. The 8-hour traffic survey at the intersection of Rideau Street and Sussex Drive/Colonel By Drive counted 423 cyclists - 247 northbound and 176 southbound - travelling on Sussex Drive. A total of 548 cyclists comprised of 443 eastbound and 105 westbound were observed travelling on Rideau Street. The volume of cyclists at the intersection of MacKenzie Avenue and 205m north of Rideau Street (i.e. the pedestrian crossing in front of the Connaught Building) was recorded in a traffic volume survey carried out on Tuesday, 1 August 2000. A total of 215 cyclists were observed travelling southbound on MacKenzie during an 8-hour count.
Transit:
Transit service in this area is provided by the following OC Transpo bus routes.
East and west on Rideau Street, numerous routes provide regular daily service with headways ranging from 5 minutes during the peak periods, to 30 minutes during the off peak hours.
Regular service is also maintained northbound and southbound on Sussex Drive and MacKenzie Avenue with Routes 3 and 306 on headways ranging between 20 minutes during the peak periods, to one hour during the off peak hours.
At present, the bus stops that are provided in the immediate area, are located on Sussex Drive at George Street, servicing Routes 3 and 306 in the northbound direction and on MacKenzie Avenue at Rideau Street, servicing Routes 3 and 306 in the southbound direction. Bus stops are also located on Rideau Street, in front of the Rideau Centre, servicing routes in the eastbound and westbound directions.
Automobiles:
The 2002 traffic survey indicated that at the intersection of Sussex Drive and George Street, during a 24-hour period, 17,400 vehicles approach from the north and south and in addition, 3,300 westbound vehicles approach on George Street. Over 20,700 vehicles travel through this intersection every day. The heavy vehicle component of the traffic volume was determined to be 2% for Sussex Drive and 5% for George Street.
The 2002 traffic survey at the intersection of Rideau Street and Sussex Drive/Colonel By Drive indicated that over a 24-hour period, 12,700 vehicles approach from the north and south and 19,800 vehicles approach from the east and west. It is estimated that 32,500 vehicles travel through this intersection each day. The heavy vehicle component of the traffic volume was determined to be 2% for Sussex Drive and 13% for Rideau Street.
The 1997 traffic survey at the intersection of Rideau Street and MacKenzie Avenue indicated that, over a 24-hour period, 14,950 vehicles approach from the north and 21,500 vehicles approach from the east and west. It is estimated that 36,450 vehicles travel through this intersection every day. The heavy vehicle component of the traffic volume was determined to be 2% for MacKenzie Avenue and 8% for Rideau Street.
The speed limit is 50 km/h on Sussex Drive, George Street, Rideau Street and MacKenzie Avenue.
All streets have street lighting.
Design Proposal:
Site Generated Traffic (700 Sussex Drive): It is anticipated that the proposed development will generate 135 trips on a weekday afternoon peak hour, which will be comprised of 71 vehicles entering the site, and 64 vehicles that exit the site. Of the 71 vehicles entering the site, 14% will be from an east origin and 86% will be from south origin. Conversely, of the 64 vehicles exiting, 40% will exit north on Sussex and 55% will exit south on Sussex. The remaining 5% is expected to head east on George.
Roadway Modifications:
Sussex Drive: To service left-turn access to the site, the following modifications are recommended on Sussex Drive between George Street and Rideau Street.
The construction of a northbound left-turn lane at the Sussex Drive/George Street intersection.
The realignment of the eastern curb along Sussex Drive north and Colonel By Drive south of Rideau Street in order to accommodate Confederation Boulevard design standards. It is proposed to provide additional sidewalk space at the southeast corner of Rideau Street/Sussex Drive/Colonel By Drive, in front of the Rideau Centre.
The relocation of the flared median on Sussex Drive at the Sussex Drive/Rideau Street intersection will better guide northbound through traffic into the appropriate lanes.
Widening and realignment of the western curb along Sussex Drive between George Street and Rideau Street such that an offset of 4.5m from the building face of 700 Sussex Drive may be provided, as well as two southbound lanes, a northbound left-turn lane, one northbound through lane and a shared northbound right--turn through and bike lane.
The construction of a 15:1 transition through the Sussex Drive/George Street intersection for the realignment of the southbound lane.
The construction of a 6.7m wide shared access to the proposed site using the existing Connaught Building entrance.
The implementation of a separate "phase" in the sequence of displays for the traffic control signals, in the intersection of Sussex Drive and George Street to service the shared access for the Connaught Building and 700 Sussex Drive.
MacKenzie Avenue:
For the completion of the Confederation Boulevard Grand Esplanade from Major's Hill Park to Wellington Street the following modifications are required on MacKenzie Avenue.
Shifting the existing three-lane urban cross section 5.0m to the east.
The removal of the existing island at the MacKenzie Avenue/Rideau Street intersection.
Rideau Street:
To provide proper alignment with Rideau Street in front of the Fairmont Chateau Laurier, the northern curb along Rideau Street, between Sussex Drive and MacKenzie Avenue, will be shifted south to line up with the curb in front of the Fairmont Chateau Laurier. The relocation of the median on Rideau Street at the MacKenzie Avenue/Rideau Street intersection is required so as to guide southbound traffic along relocated MacKenzie Avenue into designated lanes (as shown in Annex C).
Pedestrians:
Sussex Drive: The existing sidewalk on the east side of Sussex Drive will be widened to a maximum of 4.6m in the vicinity of the Sussex Drive/Rideau Street intersection, to accommodate the east curb realignment in front of the Rideau Centre, and then taper to a width of 3.0m (existing condition) at the George Street intersection. Along the west side of Sussex Drive, a 4.5m sidewalk will be constructed across the frontage of the proposed 700 Sussex Drive development. This space will allow for pedestrian movement and Confederation Boulevard streetscape improvements.
MacKenzie Avenue: The existing sidewalk along the west side of MacKenzie Avenue will be widened from 3.0m to 8.0m, while the existing sidewalk along the east side of MacKenzie Avenue will be widened from 3.0m to 5.0m. This will improve the pedestrian environment and provide a sidewalk offset space along the east frontage of Fairmont Chateau Laurier Hotel.
Rideau Street: The existing sidewalk on the north side of Rideau Street, between Sussex Drive and MacKenzie Avenue, will be widened from 3.0m to 5.0m.
Bicycles:
Shared-use cycling facilities will be provided via the 4.0m northbound through lane on Sussex Drive, the 4.25m westbound through lane on Rideau Street as well as the 4.0m southbound through lane and the 4.0m southbound right turn lane on MacKenzie Avenue.
Transit:
Existing transit operations will not be affected by these proposed roadway modifications.
Automobiles:
The construction of a northbound left-turn lane on Sussex Drive will separate the through and left-turning movements which will reduce vehicular conflict while maintaining orderly traffic flow. The median on Sussex Drive will be flared to assist motorists in differentiating the northbound through lane from the northbound left-turn lane.
There will be no change to traffic flow on Rideau Street as a result of the realignment of the northern curb along Rideau Street between Sussex Drive and MacKenzie Avenue. Existing paint lines currently restrict traffic from using the full extent of the extra wide curbside through lane, thereby establishing lane continuity with the recently reconstructed portion of Rideau Street in front of the Fairmont Chateau Laurier Hotel.
There will be no change to traffic flow on MacKenzie Avenue as a result of the realignment.
CONSULTATION
A notice of the proposed roadway modifications has been placed in Le Droit and the Ottawa Citizen for two consecutive weeks. Councillor Meilleur is in agreement with the proposed roadway modifications.
TRANSPORTATION MASTER PLAN
The guiding principle from the Transportation Master Plan (TMP) is the responsible management of the City's growth through the encouragement of walking and cycling, with a strong emphasis on an expanded role for public transportation. The following proposed design features support this management principle.
The construction of wider sidewalks and shared bicycle lanes conform to Sections 5.2 and 6.2 of the TMP.
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS
Responsibilities for works associated with the 700 Sussex Drive development, including roadway works and streetscape improvements, have been defined in an agreement between the NCC and the developer, Claridge Homes. The City of Ottawa has identified the need to include the replacement of watermain and storm sewers on MacKenzie Avenue and Rideau Street, through its Capital Budget, and the NCC will be financing the implementation of the remainder of Confederation Boulevard in this sector. A legal agreement similar to past agreements for Wellington Street, the Plaza Bridge, Elgin Street and Sussex Drive North is being prepared to define each party's responsibilities in this area.
SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION
Annex A - Key Plan
Annex B - Existing Roadway Geometry
Annex C - Proposed Roadway Geometry
Annex D - Proposed Streetscaping (Rideau Street to north of George Street)
DISPOSITION
Subject to Council approval of the recommendations contained in this report, it is anticipated that construction of Confederation Boulevard will commence by the Fall of 2004.
ANNEX A
KEY
PLAN
ANNEX
B
EXISTING ROADWAY
GEOMETRY
ANNEX C
PROPOSED ROADWAY GEOMETRY
ANNEX D
PROPOSED STREETSCAPING (Rideau Street to north of George Street)
