Potential Third Crossing of the Cataraqui River
Update: At the May 25 2010 Council meeting, Council authorized that Stage 2 of the Environmental Assessment (EA) study proceed. This will complete the EA study by building on the EA Stage 1 Summary Report. This report assessed the need for and the feasibility of implementing a third transportation crossing over the Cataraqui River. It looked at a number of crossing options and recommended a bridge crossing location at John Counter Boulevard and Gore Road as the preferred option.
Stage 2 activities, which will focus on the John Counter Boulevard / Gore Road corridor, will include:- Undertaking fieldwork studies at and adjacent to the John Counter Boulevard / Gore Road corridor (e.g. archaeology, ecology, geotechnical, geoenvironmental, hydrology).
- Assessing the traffic impacts of a bridge crossing at John Counter Boulevard / Gore Road on surrounding roads such as at Kingston Road 15 and at Montreal Street and recommending ways to address possible shortcutting in nearby neighbourhoods.
- Continuing public consultation activities, including:
- maintaining the mailing list;
- providing regular updates by mail and/or E-mail;
- updating the EA study website;
- hosting future Public Information Centres at key study milestones;
- vetting decision-making and project activities through the Technical Advisory Committee;
- engaging the community through the Public Liaison Committee; and
- meeting with First Nations communities.
- Developing and assessing design options and capital and maintenance costs.
- Identifying a preferred design option, including mitigation measures and capital and maintenance costs.
- Developing a capital funding and financing program.
- Preparing an Environmental Study Report that documents the decision-making process.
Stage 2 of the EA Study is to be completed by November 2011. Once approved, the EA will have a ten-year life span. It will not commit Council to provide funding or start construction. Rather, it will allow current and future Councils to plan for long-term growth and development programs and apply for funding from senior levels of government. In the interim, the City will continue to assess ways to reduce congestion on the LaSalle Causeway and enhance public transit services.
Recent Activity
The Report to Council (prepared for its April 20 meeting) on Stage 1 of the Environmental Assessment (EA) is available for download at right. It is based on the EA Stage 1 Summary Report. Hard copies of the report are available for viewing at the Clerk's Office at City Hall (at 216 Ontario Street) and at the Department of Engineering (at 1211 John Counter Boulevard). Electronic copies may be obtained by contacting the Department of Engineering at thirdcrossing@cityofkingston.ca, or by phone at 613-546-4291, ext. 3136. A limited number of printed copies are available for purchase by contacting Mark Van Buren at 546-4291 ext 3218.
Background
The City is undertaking an Environmental Assessment (EA) to evaluate the need for and the feasibility of implementing a third transportation crossing over the Cataraqui River. The EA study area is along the Cataraqui River from the LaSalle Causeway in the south to Highway 401 in the north. Other main roads in the EA study area are John Counter Boulevard, Montreal Street, Kingston Road 15 and Gore Road. The Cataraqui River forms part of the Rideau Canal, a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site, a National Historic Site and Canadian Heritage River.
Currently, there are two crossings of the Cataraqui River in the City:
- The LaSalle Causeway located on Highway 2, near the point of the Cataraqui River's discharge to Lake Ontario.
- The Highway 401 crossing located approximately 6 kilometres upstream of the LaSalle Causeway.
Studies dating back to 1964 have recognized the need for a third crossing of the Cataraqui River in the City in order to:
- Relieve traffic congestion on the LaSalle Causeway during rush hour times and when Highway 401 is closed.
- Improve access to areas of the City on both sides of the Cataraqui River.
- Enhance routes for the delivery of emergency services in the City.
The 2004 Kingston Transportation Master Plan reconfirmed the increasing need for a third crossing as the LaSalle Causeway was operating at full capacity. More recently, the 2009 KTMP Update further reaffirmed the need for additional transportation capacity across the Cataraqui River.
The related links at right provide additional information on the EA study.
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