Potential Third Crossing of the Cataraqui River
UPDATE:
On March 3, 2010, the City of Kingston hosted its second Public Information Centre for the Third Crossing Environmental Assessment (EA) to assess the need for and the feasibility of implementing additional transportation capacity across the Cataraqui River.
At 7:00 p.m., J.L. Richards and Associates Ltd. presented their findings and following the presentation provided responses to questions from those attending the Public Information Centre.
Following an overview of the EA purpose and activities to date, the presenters provided background on traffic counts which indicated that additional capacity across the Cataraqui River is necessary to address existing operational deficiencies and to accommodate projected growth east of the river in Kingston.
The presenters then addressed Terrestrial and Marine, Cultural and Heritage, Rideau Canal, Ecological, Geo-environmental, and Geotechnical assessments. Based on these assessments, each of the six possible crossing locations was evaluated. Based on this evaluation, Area 2 (Option 2) Bridge; Area 4 (Option 4A) Bridge and Area 4 (Option 4B) bridge were short-listed for further evaluation. All other possible crossings were deemed inappropriate based on the assessments.
When an evaluation matrix was developed for the three short-listed areas and the criteria and weightings were applied, the areas ranked as follows:
- Area 4 (Option 4A) Bridge
- Area 4 (Option 4B) Bridge
- Area 2 (Option 2) Bridge
When the top two areas were evaluated further using the EA criteria weighting, Area 4 (Option 4A) Bridge at John Counter Boulevard and Gore Road was the preferred option.
At this point in the EA, the consulting team identified no technical or environmental issues that would prevent the construction of a bridge at this location. Following this Public Information Centre, comments from residents will be summarized and presented to the consulting team for review. On April 20, 2010, the EA report will be presented to Kingston City Council. At that time, City Council will decide whether to proceed with Stage 2 of the EA.
For copies of the presentation handout and EA evaluation matrix, please email thirdcrossing@cityofkingston.ca and they will be emailed to you as quickly as possible.
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.
More recently, the 2004 Kingston Transportation Master Plan reconfirmed the increasing need for a third crossing as the LaSalle Causeway was operating at full capacity.
The related links at right provide additional information on the EA study.
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