River Road Extension | King Street to Manitou Drive

[Urbanomicon]

NOTICE OF COMMENCEMENT CLASS ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT STUDY RIVER ROAD EXTENSION - King Street to Manitou Drive


In July 2006, upon completion of Phases 1 and 2 of the Municipal Class Environmental Assessment (EA) process in the South Kitchener Transportation Corridor Study, the Regional Municipality of Waterloo approved Alternative 4C as the new road corridor alignment for the planned extension of River Road from King Street to Manitou Drive.

IBI Group has been retained by the Region of Waterloo to conduct the planning, design and construction administration and to complete an EA Study in accordance with Schedule “C” requirements for Phases 3 and 4 of the River Road Extension project.

The Preferred Design Concept of this road extension was presented to the public at a Public Information Centre (PIC) held on February 27, 2007. Based in part on public input to the project following the PIC, an additional field study was conducted in the spring of 2007 to update the natural environmental inventory for this project. This fieldwork discovered the presence of a Threatened Species as defined by the Canada Species at Risk Act and the Ontario Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act within the Hidden Valley Environmentally Sensitive Policy Area (ESPA 27). A technical sub-committee of the Project Team formed to address the issue of the Threatened Species has indicated that additional field work is required in the spring of 2008 to confirm the habitat of the Threatened Species, and whether the preferred River Road alignment would have any negative impact on this habitat.

http://www.region.waterloo.on.ca/web...df?openelement

[Urbanomicon]

PROJECT STATUS UPDATE
RIVER ROAD EXTENSION CLASS ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT PHASE 3-4
King Street to Manitou Drive, Kitchener

The Region of Waterloo is undertaking a Class Environmental Assessment (EA) Study to consider an extension of River Road from King Street to Manitou Drive, including a new interchange with Highway 8 in Kitchener. In July 2006, upon completion of Phases 1 and 2 of the EA process for the South Kitchener Transportation Corridor Study (SKTCS), the Region of Waterloo endorsed a new road corridor alignment (Alternative 4C) for the planned extension of River Road. Alternative 4C is the Preferred Solution that addresses existing and forecasted roadway network deficiencies to move people and goods in South Kitchener. The Preferred Design Concept of this road extension was presented to the public at a Public Information Centre (PIC) held on February 27, 2007.

Based in part on public input to the project following the PIC, an additional field study was conducted in the spring of 2007 to update the natural environmental inventory for this project. This fieldwork discovered the presence of a Threatened Species as defined by the Canada Species at Risk Act and the Ontario Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act within the Hidden Valley Environmentally Sensitive Policy Area (ESPA 27). A technical sub-committee of the Project Team formed to address the issue of the Threatened Species has indicated that additional field work is required in the spring of 2008 to confirm the habitat of the Threatened Species, and
whether the preferred River Road alignment would have any negative impact on this habitat.

The Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) has also asked the Project Team to withhold any additional information regarding the Threatened Species until all required field studies have been completed. The Project Team is complying with this request in the interest of protecting the Threatened Species identified. All relevant information about the Threatened Species will be made available to the public after completion of the 2008 field studies.

The Region of Waterloo is continuing the Class EA for the River Road Extension in accordance with Schedule “C” requirements for Phases 3 and 4. This includes the preparation of the Preliminary Design of the road extension, and the Environmental Study Report documenting all findings and recommendations of the project. The additional field work in the spring of 2008 will result in a delay to the project schedule, with the Environmental Study Report now being planned for completion in the fall of 2008. A Public Input Meeting will be held in the summer of 2008 to present the additional field work results, and the Recommended Design Alternative for the road. All interested members of the public on the project mailing list will be notified by mail of the Public Input Meeting, and the Regional Council meeting in the fall of 2008 to consider approval of the Environmental Study Report.

http://www.region.waterloo.on.ca/web...df?openelement

[Waterlooer]

Hmm, have you heard any word yet if this interchange is going to be constructed or did the EA fail?

[Urbanomicon]

I haven't reaq anything definite, but that they were looking at building the overpass for River Road during the last (current) phase of highway 8 widening; however, this idea was abandoned in order to expedite the widening.

[RangersFan]

In my opinion this is a horrible idea.

River Road extension to proceed
May 16, 2011 | Terry Pender | The Record | LINK

WATERLOO REGION — After years of study, the region is pushing ahead with plans to extend River Road from Highway 8 to Manitou Drive.

There is no need to change plans for extending the four-lane road skirting the woods and swamps of Hidden Valley because of a small amphibian on the threatened-species list, said Wayne Cheater, a regional engineer and the project manager.

Cheater will unveil the latest plans for the long-delayed project at a public information session set for Tuesday from 4:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. in the Knights of Columbus Hall at 110 Manitou Dr. There will be a presentation from 7:30 p.m. to 8 p.m., followed by a question period.

The goal is to reduce traffic on Fairway Road and provide drivers with another east-west corridor across the southern half of the city.

[Urbanomicon]

In my opinion this is a horrible idea.

It may not be the ideal solution, but I think it will succeed in getting traffic off of Fairway Road, as well as providing another interchange with Highway 8.

[UrbanWaterloo]

Email received from the Friends of Hidden Valley. Website

River Rd. Extension Public Consultation Centre

If River Rd is extended over highway 8 it would seriously impact Hidden Valley. (See below).

Date: Tuesday May 17th
Time: 4:30 -8 | Q & A 7-8pm
Location: Knights of Columbus Hall, 110 Manitou Dr., Kitchener

Hello all environmentalists, hikers, and people who care about clean air, clean water, nesting and migratory birds, diverse trees and wildflowers, beavers, wetlands, species at risk, and beautiful ESPAs:

As the population of the Region grows at a never-before-experienced rate, it would be wonderful if we could guarantee that Hidden Valley, Kitchener, could be protected from development and saved as aKitchener landmark Natural Area Park. Located near the Grand River and highway 8, Hidden Valley is a unique, exceptionally beautiful, 200 acre area, designated by the Region as Environmentally Sensitive Policy Area #27. What better time to save this area to become a significant Kitchener Park, than as the city celebrates it Centennial, next year!

Jefferson salamanders, a species at risk, were found in Hidden Valley two years ago: since then, planners have been researching these rare salamanders. Jeffersons indicate that Hidden Valley is currently a very healthy area. The Species at Risk Act, unfortunately, does not guarantee that these salamanders, or their habitat, will be protected. The River Rd. extension may cut into their vernal breeding pools. Heavy and Light Industrial "parks," a business "park" and subdivision could pollute the 3 Provincially Significant Wetlands and impact 25% of the Region's drinking water. Nesting and migratory birds could lose their homes and sanctuaries. Wildflowers and resident animals would also loose their habitats, if development proceeds.

Some places are just too special to develop, and the Friends of Hidden Valley think Hidden Valley is one such area. Turning the area into a large natural-area park near the centre of the Region would be a wonderful gift for generations to come!

The River Rd. Extension Public Consultation Centre (PCC) event is described below. Please note the Planning and Works committee date, and the Q&A period on Tuesday May 17 from 7-8. If River Rd. is extended around Hidden Valley, it will open the area to development, permitted due to out-dated Kitchener zoning.

Please save the date and come to the PCC ... and bring your friends and families who are concerned about inappropriate development close to the Regions' reservoirs for 25% of our drinking water. Hope to see you there. Please share this information!

The Friends of Hidden Valley website is http://sites.google.com/site/hiddenvalleyorg/Home

Sincerely,
Daphne Nicholls
Friends of Hidden Valley

Possible solutions to the two threats

1. Modify the road design. See our road design page at :

Hidden Valley to River Road Extension

and how to contact regional councillors at

Contact your Regional Councillor

2. Purchase the Hidden Valley property and include it as part of a Grand River Heritage Trail Park to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the founding of Berlin/Kitchener. Kitchener's $5 million Local Environmental Action Fund (LEAF) is providing citizens with the chance to suggest projects that will add to the quality of life in our city. The Friends have twice submitted a LEAF application proposing that the city purchase the Hidden Valley property. Both applications were rejected. To facilitate action by city council we need YOUR HELP to convince Council that the creation of a new 200 acre park would be an excellent centennial project for the city.

[BuildingScout]

Friends of Hidden Valley fail to make a case of how the extension would damage the environment, particularly given that it goes on top of a currently existing street,

So far sounds just like another case of NIMBY.

[UrbanWaterloo]

Public Consultation Centre Information Package
Website | PDF

[panamaniac]

+1. Plus if they think that that there is an approaching "100th anniversary of the founding of Berlin/Kitchener", they are historically as well as environmentally suspect.

[dunkalunk]

While I can understand the need to protect the hidden valley wetlands, the road proposals don't really take the need for access to the highway or property acquisitions/utility relocations into account. Yet on the other hand, there really is no need to further isolate water courses and eat up as much woodlot and wetland in the area as proposed.

I also can't see how ramps for the orange alternative could be built without having to move hydro pylons.

So, I've come up with this alternative:

It should also be worth noting that purchasing the land and turning into a park would encourage more human presence to it would endanger even more salamanders than building a new limited-access road through here. For the most part, cars stick to the road. Mountain bikes and hiking boots don't.

[jamesbow]

Looking at the satellite image, I think I can see some history, there. You notice how two roads between Highway 8 and King Street meet up in a point, and that these streets line up with segments of Hidden Valley Road?

It looks pretty clear that these roads (Cameo Drive and Hoffstetter Avenue) were once portions of Hidden Valley Road before Highway 8 came through...

[mpd618]

I'm not sure I understand the fundamental point: what problem is this project trying to solve?

The second question is how much it will cost. Third is whether it's worth that cost, particularly if it's going to be $50-100 million.

[dunkalunk]

From the info package, the 2010 RTMP indicates a need for capacity improvements to meet demand in the South Kitchener Transportation Corridor.

At minimum, I would hope to see the addition of the new ramps to both get rid of some congestion from turning vehicles on and off the highway at Fairway Road (basically, network alternative B on page 16 of the above info package)

[dunkalunk]

And as for cost, they are listing $58-$66 million as the initial cost with no final price tag. At that price, I kind of wonder whether it is worth it myself.

[mpd618]

From the info package, the 2010 RTMP indicates a need for capacity improvements to meet demand in the South Kitchener Transportation Corridor.

Except that's exactly what I'm asking for a justification for. What "need" is there for "capacity improvements" in this area?

Could not this "need" be better served by taking a lane of Fairway Road and dedicating it to high-capacity bus transit, allowing more people to travel along this corridor?

[dunkalunk]

Except that's exactly what I'm asking for a justification for. What "need" is there for "capacity improvements" in this area?

Could not this "need" be better served by taking a lane of Fairway Road and dedicating it to high-capacity bus transit, allowing more people to travel along this corridor?

It's a question that we really need to be asking the people working on it, or dig through documents to find. I intend to get in contact with the project team and find out. What projection are the engineers on the project building capacity to, and what do modifications of that plan do to the capacity? Is proposed development in South Kitchener driving this projection, or is development a side-effect?

I know that in the initial design for the aBRT, they included a new dedicated ramp to Fairway Road in conjunction with signal priority lights to get buses on and off the highway quickly. I would also include queue jump lanes to ensure that buses aren't stuck behind the queue. The most frustrating part about waiting iXpress at Fairway right now is that with the live displays, you are constantly seeing your bus get delayed another 2 minutes as it is exiting the highway.

[dunkalunk]

For anyone interested in delegating, here are some details about the upcoming P+W meeting.

[bcwessel]

Salamanders fail to derail Hidden Valley road, beetles, slugs, other invertebrates rejoice.
Jeff Outhit | The Record | 27 September 2011 | LINK

Four years after rare salamanders were found nearby, politicians have been asked to resume planning for a controversial road in south Kitchener.

Pending more studies and final approval by regional council, River Road would be extended to Manitou Drive for $58 million, with construction to start in 2016.

The four-lane road would cross Highway 8 and pass through Hidden Valley, south of Fairway Road.
Planners argue the long-delayed road would ease chronic traffic congestion on Fairway Road, improve cycling, reduce pollution, provide more access to Highway 8 and control access for development, while preserving natural areas.

They say it can be built to skirt protected salamanders and is necessary even if expanding transit draws motorists from their cars.
“There’s still a need for a new road,” Steve van De Keere, head of transportation expansion, told regional councillors Tuesday.

I wonder if, in the history of this council (or any other), the head of transportation expansion has ever been quoted as saying "Nah, I reckon we're good for now. We should ease off on the road building for awhile. Give my budget to the guys in Parks"