Third Crossing of the Cataraqui River FAQs
Environmental Assessment
QUESTIONS:
Why has the City initiated this Environmental Assessment?
What is an Environmental Assessment?
What is the EA study schedule?
What alternative solutions have been considered?
Which possible crossing points have been considered?
Why won't the tunnel option solve the problem?
What is left to be done to complete the EA study?
How will the public be consulted during the rest of the EA study?
Will First Nations Communities be consulted?
What is the Technical Advisory Committee?
What is the Public Liaison Committee?
Is there Federal and Provincial Involvement?
What will be the construction cost of this project, and how will it be funded?
Who can I contact to get more information about the EA study?
ANSWERS:
Why has the City initiated this Environmental Assessment?
A: The 2004 Kingston Transportation Master Plan (KTMP) outlines the City of Kingston's strategic direction for the development of its transportation networks, programs, and priorities. The KTMP reviewed, at a conceptual level, the need for and location of additional transportation capacity across the Cataraqui River. It was determined that the exisiting LaSalle Causeway is operating at capacity and that there is a need for one additional lane of capacity in each direction to satisfy the anticipated 2026 afternoon commuter peak hour traffic demand. The KTMP was updated in 2009 and reaffirmed the need for additional transportation capacity across the Cataraqui River.
The City of Kingston has initiated an Environmental Assessment to evaluate the need for and the feasibility of implementing additional transportation capacity across the Cataraqui River, which forms part of the Rideau Canal, a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site, National Historic Site, and Canadian Heritage River.
What is an Environmental Assessment?
A: An Environmental Assessment (EA) is an evaluation of the possible impact, positive or negative, that a proposed project may have on the environment. An EA provides the framework for a seamless, open, transparent, and traceable decision-making process involving public and agency consultation, including consultation with First Nations.
The purpose of this particular EA is to ensure that City Council considers the potential impacts, including but not limited to environmental, social, cultural, economical, heritage, archeological, ecological, biological, and financial impacts, in evaluating the need and feasibility of adding additional transportation capacity across the Cataraqui River and whether to proceed with its implementation.
The EA is proceeding as a Schedule C undertaking, in accordance with the requirements of the Ontario Municipal Class EA, October 2000, as amended in 2007. As the project may involve construction within lands under Federal jurisdiction or may involve a number of Federal approvals, the EA must also address the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act requirements.
A: The Figure below illustrates the Environmental Assessment (EA) study area, which extends along the shoreline and lands adjoining the Cataraqui River from the LaSalle Causeway (Highway 2) corridor in the south to Highway 401 in the north. Additional main road networks in the study area include John Counter Boulevard and Montreal Street west of the river as well as Kingston Road 15 and Gore Road east of the river.
A: The Environmental Assessment (EA) started in March 2009 and is being completed in two stages:
Stage 1: Stage 1 assessed a number of crossing options and locations. A Report to Council (prepared for its April 20 meeting) recommended a bridge crossing location at John Counter Boulevard and Gore Road as the preferred option. This report was based on the EA Stage 1 Summary Report.
This information assisted Council in authorizing at its May 25 meeting that the EA proceed to Stage 2, which will complete the EA study.
Stage 2: The balance of the EA study will include field investigations, traffic analyses, preliminary and final designs of the preferred crossing concept, cost estimates, funding and financing options and public consultation. It is to be finalized by November 2011 for a mandatory 30-day public and agency review and consideration by City Council.
What alternative solutions have been considered?
A: Stage 1 of the Environmental Assessment study assessed the following alternative solutions:
- Retain the status quo or "do nothing", which means that no facilities would be constructed to provide additional transportation capacity across the Cataraqui River and the problem would remain and/or an opportunity would not be addressed;
- Increasing the capacity of the LaSalle Causeway (Highway 2);
- Increasing the capacity of Highway 401 from Montreal Street to Kingston Road 15; or
- Implementing a new crossing at a location between the LaSalle Causeway (Highway 2) and Highway 401 through either a bridge or tunnel.
Which possible crossing points have been considered?
A: As shown on the Possible Crossings link at right, for evaluation purposes during Stage 1 of the Environmental Assessment (EA) study, the EA study area was subdivided into six corridor areas with nine possible crossing links based on potential connections to existing roads. The potential links included:
Area 1, which deals with the expansion to the LaSalle Causeway, and also shows a crossing from North Street on the west to James Street on the east.
Area 2 shows a crossing from Russell Street on the west to Craftsman Boulevard on the east.
Area 3 shows a crossing from Belle Island on the west to Craftsman Boulevard on the east.
Area 4 shows 2 crossings. One is from John Counter Boulevard on the west to Gore Road on the east. The other crossing is from John Counter Boulevard on the west to just north of the Kingston Frontenac Public Library at 80 Gore Road.
Area 5 also shows 2 crossings. One is from Weller Avenue on the west to Kingston Road 15 on the east. The other crossing is from Sutherland Drive on the west to Kingston Road 15 on the east.
Area 6 deals with the expansion to Highway 401 by a parallel, but separate, crossing for local traffic.
These corridor areas were assessed based on technical feasibility, transportation effectiveness and potential social, cultural, environmental impacts. Based on this evaluation, Area 2 and Area 4 were short-listed for further consideration. An evaluation matrix made up of forty-eight criteria was then developed and applied to the short-listed bridge crossing options.
A: Based on the Environmental Assessment (EA) Stage 1 Summary Report, a bridge crossing location at John Counter Boulevard and Gore Road is the preferred option as it would provide better opportunities to:
- Relieve existing and future traffic congestion on the LaSalle Causeway through improved road connections and traffic flows;
- Enhance the Rideau Canal through the use of state-of-the-art and sustainable design practices;
- Accommodate long-term planned urban growth and development through improved east-west road connections;
- Enhance public transit services by creating new east-west routes;
- Enhance emergency and municipal services to the eastern portion of the City; and
- Promote alternate modes of transportation by creating new pedestrian and cycling routes.
Why won't the tunnel option solve the problem?
A: A tunnel through rock is not feasible as the rock elevation is roughly 20 metres to 40 metres below the river surface and the tunnel could not connect to existing roads due to vertical profile constraints.
The other option would involve constructing the tunnel using what is known as a cut and cover technique. Tunnel construction would be carried out in about 100 metre sections inside a 25 metre wide cofferdam area excavated and dewatered to a depth of approximately 12 metres below the water surface. This would be repeated until the entire tunnel was constructed. This option is also not viable due to:
- Significantly greater environmental impacts compared to a bridge;
- Insufficient distance being available between the river's edge and Kingston Road 15 to connect the tunnel with Kingston Road 15;
- Public safety and access issues; and
- Major capital costs estimated in the $400 million range.
What is left to be done to complete the EA study?
A: Stage 2 will complete the EA study. Stage 2 activities, which will focus on the bridge crossing location at John Counter Boulevard and Gore Road, 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.
- 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.
How will the public be consulted during the rest of the EA study?
A: Public and agency consultation is a key element of the Environmental Assessment (EA) process. A Consultation Plan has been developed to facilitate input throughout the EA study. Consultation activities during Stage 2 of the EA study will continue to focus on:
- Maintaining a comprehensive and complete agency, stakeholder group, and contact list;
- Providing regular project 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 and facilitating decision-making through thr Public Liaison Committee; and
- Working with the Sub-Committee that has been established to provide direction and representation for consultation activities with First Nations Communities.
A contact list for notification by mail or E-mail of project status updates, public information meetings, and other opportunities for public input is being updated regularly. If you wish to be added to the contact list, please advise:
Mark Van Buren, P.Eng.
Director, Engineering Department
City of Kingston
216 Ontario Street, Kingston, Ontario K7L 2Z3
Phone: 613-546-4291, Ext. 3218
Fax: 613-542-7880
E-mail: thirdcrossing@cityofkingston.ca
Will First Nations Communities be consulted?
A: Yes, a Sub-Committee led by City staff, project team members and special advisors has been established to provide direction and representation for consultation activities with First Nations Communities.
Communications and meetings took place during Stage 1 of the Environmental Assessment (EA) study with a broad range of First Nations communities, including:
- The Algonquins of Ardoch;
- The Mississaugas of Alderville;
- The Mohawk Nation Council of Chiefs;
- The Algonquins of Sharbot Lake; and
- The Council of the Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte at Tyendenaga.
Correspondence was also forwarded to other First Nation communities and to Kingston's urban aboriginal organizations.
Consultations with First Nations communities and organizations will continue during Stage 2 of the EA study.
What is the Technical Advisory Committee?
A: A Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) has been established to provide guidance to the Project Team throughout the Environmental Assessment (EA) study and to assist in identifying potential approval requirements. The following agencies/organizations are part of the TAC:
- Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency
- Canadian Forces Base (CFB) Kingston
- Cataraqui Region Conservation Authority
- City of Kingston (various departments)
- Department of Fisheries and Oceans
- Ontario Ministry of Transportation
- Ontario Ministry of Environment
- Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources
- Parks Canada
- Transport Canada
The TAC met six times during Stage 1 of the EA study and will continue to meet during Stage 2. The next TAC meeting will be held this Fall.
What is the Public Liaison Committee?
A: A Public Liaison Committee (PLC) has been established for this Environmental Assessment (EA) study to:
- Provide input on consultation activities to ensure that community information needs are met;
- Provide input on information to be presented at future Public Information Centres and other consultation activities and review the consultation reports that will be prepared after these events; and
- Attend public meetings to provide a strong link between the project team and residents.
The PLC met five times during Stage 1 of the EA study and will continue to meet during Stage 2. The next PLC meeting will be held this Fall.
Is there Federal and Provincial involvement?
A: Yes, a number of Federal, Provincial, and local agencies will be consulted throughout the Environmental Assessment (EA) study.
What will be the construction cost of this project, and how will it be funded?
A: A preliminary opinion of probable cost (in 2010 dollars) was prepared during Stage 1 of the Environmental Assessment (EA) study for both 2-lane and 4-lane crossing options at John Counter Boulevard and Gore Road. Based on multiple 50 metre bridge spans to cross the shore-to-shore distance of 1,150 metres at this location, the preliminary opinion of probable costs are:
- $114 million + HST for a 2 lane crossing;
- $139 million + HST for 2 lanes and the substructure (i.e. foundations and piers) for 2 additional lanes that would be installed at a later date; or
- $181 million + HST for a 4 lane crossing.
Options to fund the capital cost of the bridge would include:
- Funding/Grants from Federal and Provincial Governments;
- Development Charges collected from ongoing and future development;
- Taxes;
- User Fees/Tolls; and/or
- Combination of all or some of the above.
Bridge design options, including the timing related to the potential need for a 4 lane crossing as well as capital and maintenance costs and funding options, will be developed and finalized during Stage 2 of the study.
The completion of the EA study 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.
Who can I contact to get more information about the EA study?
A: Please contact:
Mark Van Buren, P.Eng.
Director, Engineering Department
City of Kingston
216 Ontario Street, Kingston, Ontario K7L 2Z3
Phone: 613-546-4291, Ext. 3218
Fax: 613-542-7880
E-mail: thirdcrossing@cityofkingston.ca
