EAST DON TRAIL ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT. Community Liaison Committee Meeting #3 July 15, :30 to 8:30 pm Flemingdon Park Library

Transcription

1 EAST DON TRAIL ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT Community Liaison Committee Meeting #3 July 15, :30 to 8:30 pm Flemingdon Park Library

2 Agenda 1. Welcome 2. Housekeeping and Updates a) Housekeeping b) CLC Meetings c) Updates 3. Geomorph and Geotechnical Existing Conditions 4. Alternative Methods a) Problem/Opportunity Statement and Project Objectives b) Alternative Methods 5. Draft Evaluation Criteria 6. Closing

3 Housekeeping 1. Finalize Meeting Notes Meeting #1 Meeting #2 2. Access to CLC Materials Provided in Dropbox Folder

4 Update: CLC Meetings Meeting Content Date Status CLC #1 CLC #2 CLC #3 CLC #4 Introduction, issues and challenges Alternatives to and evaluation Alternative trail alignments, draft criteria Evaluate alternative trail alignments April 22 June July 15 Aug 12 or 14 CLC #5 Preferred alternative Oct 2013 Complete Complete Today To be scheduled

5 Update: Existing Conditions Stage 1 Archeological Assessment complete. Fluvial geomorphic studies complete. Environmental Baseline Report Draft being completed for project team and Technical Advisory Committee review and will include: Physical Environment Natural/Biological Environment Cultural Environment Social-Economic Environment Technical

6 Update: Alternatives To Alternatives to were presented at CLC Meeting #2 on June 4 th. CLC was provided an opportunity to provide comments during and after CLC Meeting. Revisions included: Functional Value: Capturing multimodal transportation as a benefit Additions to Social and Cultural Environment evaluation points, and addition of Impact to Public Health Preferred alternative to: Provide Multi Use Trail Connection Copy of final alternatives to to will be provided to CLC Members for their reference via Dropbox.

7 Geomorph and Geotechnical Existing Conditions Reaches 3, 4, and 5 Located within Local Study Area

8 Stream Systems Understanding Reach 3 Key Features: Significant valley wall contacts throughout reach along outside bend of swooping meanders. Channel primarily natural condition with floodplain access into mature valleyland Minimal channel alteration, only local areas of bank / rip rap protection. Sanitary sewer within valley system. One location where trail may extend along top of valley.

9 Stream Systems Understanding Reach 4 Key Features: Wide valley setting with meander contacts along both slopes; Average W:D 35m:1.5m slightly wider than R3; Localized areas of erosion / slope protection; Active channel migration and bend extension where unmitigated; Overtopping / floodplain access under moderate flow conditions.

10 Stream Systems Understanding Reach 5 Key Features: Confined valley setting with low amplitude meanders; Average W:D 30m:2m slightly narrower and deeper than R3; Recent channel and slope engineering to facilitate maint. route; 7 8 Channel generally stable condition; Overtopping / floodplain access under moderate flow conditions.

11 Geomorph and Geotechnical Existing Conditions Questions?

12 Alternative Methods Recap: Process to this point: Nov May 2013 Introduction and Identify Problem/opportunity Existing Conditions Alternatives To and Evaluation Problem/Opportunity Statement Project Objectives Alternatives To Provide Multi Use Trail Connection May - Sept Alternatives Methods Evaluate Alternatives Methods/Trail Alignments Draft Evaluation Criteria Today Oct Jan Preferred Alternative Refine Preferred Alternative Feb. June 2014 Environmental Study Report

13 Problem/ Opportunity Statement A significant gap in the multi-use trail network exists within the East Don Corridor between Existing East Don Trail (East of Wynford Heights Crescent), Gatineau Corridor Trail (at approximately Bermondsey Rd), and the Don Trail System. The East Don Trail will fill this existing gap in the trail network thus creating a continuous connected trail network.

14 Project Objectives Connections To provide a key connection route linking local and inter-regional trail systems. Public Safety To provide a safe way for a broad spectrum of users to access the valley system. To provide safe off road options (where possible) for cycling and recreational use. To investigate options to accommodate emergency response, City and utility maintenance vehicles/activities. Natural Environment To assist in the management of informal trails by providing a single focused multi-use trail within the East Don Corridor. To be respectful of the natural environment through the alignment, design, and construction of the trail by aiming to avoid, prevent, or minimize negative impacts. To increase access for a range of users to discover and appreciate natural areas within the City.

15 Project Objectives Recreation To create trail and outdoor recreational opportunities for a variety of users. To provide trail and outdoor recreational opportunities for neighboring communities. Transportation To function as a safe travel route to everyday places and amenities. Supports Other Initiatives To coordinate with other planning initiatives in the area allowing for future integration of the multi-use trail. (e.g. Eglinton Cross-town LRT).

16 Alternatives Alternatives To These are alternatives to the undertaking and are functionally different ways of approaching and dealing with the problem or opportunity. Preferred alternative to: Provide Multi Use Trail Connection Alternative Methods These are alternative methods of carrying out the undertaking and are different ways of doing the same activity. For the purpose of this project termed: Alternative Trail Alignments.

17 Different trail alignment options. High level details will be addressed as part of the refinement of the preferred alignment. For example, will determine if we need to cross the river but will not assess bridge length or load capacity. Will undergo evaluation to determine the preferred alignment (next CLC meeting). Broken down into 3 Areas, these areas have been determined based on infrastructure and property challenges and river reach processes.

18 Areas Area 1 2 trail alignment options: Forest Trail A Forest Trail B Area 2 9 trail alignment options: Road Link A Road Link B Road Link C River Walk A River Walk B River Walk C Rail Trail A Rail Trail B Rail Trail C Area 3 3 trail alignment options: Access Route A Access Route B Access Route C

19 Area 1 Alternatives: Forest Trail A Forest Trail B Northern extent of study area Connects with existing East Don Trail Potential ESA Adjacent Wynford Concord, Victoria Village Alternative Trail Alignments Existing Trail Bridge Crossing Potential Slope Stability Issues

20 Area 1: Issues and Challenges Potential River Crossing Location 2. Crossing Under Rail Line

21 Area 1: Issues and Challenges 3 3. Large Erosion Scar 4 4. Potential rail line tunnel location

22 Area 1: Issues and Challenges 5. Potential River Crossing Location Potential Eglinton Crossing

23 Area 1: Forest Trail A Key Points 6 bridges Erosion remediation works not required Allows connections to be made into Victoria Village ~1.6km

24 Area 1: Forest Trail B Key Points 4 bridges Erosion remediation works would be required Does not allow for connections to be made into Victoria Village Community ~1.6km

25 Area 1 Do you agree with the trail alignments as presented? Are any trail alignments options missing? Forest Trail A Forest Trail B Common to Both Existing Trail Bridge Crossing Potential Slope Stability Issues Rail Line Crossing

26 Area 2 Alternatives: Road Link A, B & C River Walk A, B & C Rail Trail A, B & C Alternative Trail Alignments Existing Trail Bridge Crossing Potential Slope Stability Issues up Middle of study area Includes Golf Course property and Hydro One Corridor Connection to Gatineau Corridor Trail Adjacent employment industrial area and Flemingdon Park 9 Alternative Trail Alignments

27 Area 2: Details on Descriptions Spine (in blue) Gatineau (in orange) up Area 2 contains 9 Alternative Trail Alignments This is a combination of: 3 different Spine options identified in blue; and 3 different Gatineau options identified in orange. Each of the alternatives are unique and will all be evaluated individually

28 Area 2: Issues and Challenges 7 7. St. Dennis Dr up 8 8. Steep Access into Valley

29 Area 2: Issues and Challenges 9 9. Rail line right of way 10 up 10. Golf Course and Hydro Corridor

30 Area 2: Issues and Challenges up 11. Mass Slumps of Active Slope Pinch Point Rail and Active Slope

31 Gatineau Access Trail: Issues and Challenges up 17. Hydro Tower and Access Route 18. Potential At Grade Rail Line Crossing

32 Gatineau Access Trail: Issues and Challenges Potential Rail Line Tunnel up 20. Forested 21. Access Route

33 Area 2: Alternatives Road Link A, B & C 3 Road Link A Road Link B Road Link C up Common to All Existing Trail Bridge Crossing Potential Slope Stability Issues Rail Line Crossing

34 Area 2: Alternatives Road Link A Spine Gatineau Key Points ~2.9km Spine 2 bridges Requires travel on road ROW, potential relocation of infrastructure (light standards) Safety concerns and steep access Does not require acquisition of privately owned golf course Gatineau Crosses rail line once: would not be an at grade 1 bridge and 1 potential bridge Steep areas with varying topography Travels between two City of Toronto Works properties (Bermondsey Transfer Station & Bermondsey Yard) Utilizes a portion of existing Toronto Water access route

35 Area 2: Alternatives Road Link B Spine Gatineau Key Points ~3.3km Spine 2 bridges Requires travel on road ROW, potential relocation of infrastructure (light standards) Safety concerns and steep access Does not require acquisition of privately owned golf course Gatineau Crosses rail line once: potentially an at grade crossing 1 bridge Passes two Hydro towers, one with limited space, may require anti climbing devices Requires Hydro One Licensed agreement Utilizes existing access route

36 Area 2: Alternatives Road Link C Spine Gatineau Key Points ~3.4km Spine 2 bridges Requires travel on road ROW, potential relocation of infrastructure (light standards) Safety concerns and steep access Does not require acquisition of privately owned golf course Gatineau 1 bridge Passes between large erosion scar and rail line (limited to no space) Passes two Hydro towers, one with limited space, may require anti climbing devices Requires Hydro One Licensed agreement Travels over former landfill No rail line crossing necessary Utilizes existing access route

37 Area 2: Alternatives River Walk A, B & C 3 River Walk A River Walk B River Walk C Common to All Existing Trail Bridge Crossing Potential Slope Stability Issues Rail Line Crossing

38 Area 2: Alternatives River Walk A Spine Gatineau Key Points ~2.7km Spine 4 bridges Requires acquisition of privately owned golf course property Generally flat and even terrain Does not require steep access to connect with remainder of spine trail Gatineau Crosses rail line once: would not be an at grade crossing 1 bridge and 1 potential bridge Steep areas with varying topography Travels between two City of Toronto Works properties (Bermondsey Transfer Station & Bermondsey Yard) Utilizes a portion of existing Toronto Water access route

39 Area 2: Alternatives River Walk B Spine Gatineau Key Points ~2.8km Spine 4 bridges Requires acquisition of privately owned golf course property Generally flat and even terrain Does not require steep access to connect with remainder of spine trail Gatineau Crosses rail line once: potentially an at grade crossing Passes two Hydro towers, one with limited space, may require anti climbing devices Requires Hydro One Licensed agreement Utilizes existing access route

40 Area 2: Alternatives River Walk C Spine Gatineau Key Points ~3.4km Spine 4 bridges Requires acquisition of privately owned golf course property Generally flat and even terrain Does not require steep access to connect with remainder of spine trail Gatineau Access 1 bridge Passes between large erosion scar and rail line (limited to no space) Passes two Hydro towers, one with limited space, may require anti climbing devices Requires Hydro One Licensed agreement Travels over former landfill No rail line crossing necessary Utilizes existing access route

41 Area 3: Alternatives Rail Trail A, B & C 3 Rail Trail A Rail Trail B Rail Trail C Common to All Existing Trail Bridge Crossing Potential Slope Stability Issues Rail Line Crossing

42 Area 2: Alternatives Rail Trail A Spine Gatineau Key Points ~2.1km Spine 4 bridges Requires travel along rail line right of way Fencing of route necessary Safety and noise level concerns Does not require steep access to connect with remainder of spine trail Gatineau Crosses rail line once: would not be an at grade crossing 1 potential bridge Steep areas with varying topography Travels between two City of Toronto Works properties (Bermondsey Transfer Station & Bermondsey Yard) Utilizes a portion of existing Toronto Water access route

43 Area 2: Alternatives Rail Trail B Spine Gatineau Key Points ~2.2km Spine 4 bridges Requires travel along rail line right of way Fencing of route necessary Safety and noise level concerns Does not require steep access to connect with remainder of spine trail Gatineau Crosses rail line once: potentially an at grade crossing Passes two Hydro towers, one with limited space, may require anti climbing devices Requires Hydro One Licensed agreement Utilizes existing access route

44 Area 2: Alternatives Rail Trail 3 Spine Gatineau Key Points ~2.9km Spine 4 bridges Requires travel along rail line right of way Fencing of route necessary Safety and noise level concerns Does not require steep access to connect with remainder of spine trail Gatineau 1 bridge Passes between large erosion scar and rail line (limited to no space) Passes two Hydro towers, one with limited space, may require anti climbing devices Requires Hydro One Licensed agreement Travels over former landfill No rail line crossing necessary Utilizes existing access route

45 Area 2: Alternatives Road Link Road Link Alternative A Road Link Alternative B Road Link Alternative C

46 Area 2: Alternatives River Walk River Walk Alternative A River Walk Alternative B River Walk Alternative C

47 Area 2: Alternatives Rail Trail Rail Trail Alternative A Rail Trail Alternative B Rail Trail Alternative C

48 Area 2 Do you agree with the trail alignments as presented? Are any trail alignments options missing? up Road Link (A,B,C) River Walk (A,B,C) Rail Trail (A,B,C) Common to All (Gatineau) Existing Trail Bridge Crossing Potential Slope Stability Issues Rail Line Crossing

49 Area 3 Alternatives: Access Route A Access Route B Access Route C South end of study area Will connect to Don Trail networks Toronto Water access route Adjacent Parkview Hills, O Conner Parkview, and Flemingdon Park Alternative Trail Alignments Existing Trail Bridge Crossing Potential Slope Stability Issues

50 Area 3: Issues and Challenges Potential River Crossing Location 14. Toronto Water Access Route

51 Area 3: Issues and Challenges Crossing Under the DVP Connection to Lower Don Trail

52 Area 3: Alternative Access Route A Key Points ~1.7 km 2 bridges Travels under DVP once (under bridge) Access to Lower Don trail and ET Seton Park is direct Potential safety concerns

53 Area 3: Alternative Access Route B Key Points ~1.7km 2 bridges Travels under DVP once (under bridge) Access to Lower Don trail and ET Seton Park is direct Potential safety concerns

54 Area 3: Alternative Access Route B Key Points ~2.2 km 1 bridge and 1 potential bridge replacement Travels under DVP twice (under bridges) Access area is very steep and narrow, and travels through a mature forested area Access to Lower Don trail is not direct Access to Taylor Creek Park Trail is direct

55 Area 3 Do you agree with the trail alignments as presented? Are any trail alignments options missing? Access Route A Access Route B Access Route C Common Existing Trail Bridge Crossing Potential Slope Stability Issues Rail Line Crossing

56 Draft Evaluation Criteria To determine the impact of each alternative trail alignment in order to select a preferred trail alignment Criteria are draft Evaluation of criteria will be discussed at next CLC meeting Please provide comments by July 29 CLC review of draft Evaluation Criteria: July 15 to July 29 (two week review)

57 Draft Evaluation Criteria Functional Value Criteria Meets project high level goal #1: Trail is located within the valley lands Meets project high level goal #2: Trail supports multi users Meets access and use for infrastructure maintenance and emergency services Indicators Located within zoned Parks and Natural Areas. Accessibility, access grades, topography. Access grades, topography, bridge crossings, distance to infrastructure, turn radius. Does not eliminate future Location of current and anticipated future opportunities to create connections opportunities. Meets objectives for additional initiatives (not related to EA objectives) Ease of use/ Usability Potential to meet or eliminate objectives for additional initiatives. Continuity, disruptions, frequency of stops, length of trail.

58 Draft Evaluation Criteria Natural and Physical Environment Criteria Potential impact to terrestrial vegetation Potential impact to wildlife habitat and connectivity Potential impact to aquatic habitat Potential impact to wetlands Indicators Quality and quantity of vegetation removed, including L rankings, invasive and non natives. Location of trail through mature forest and key wildlife habitats assessing for size, shape, function, and connections. Quality and quantity of vegetation removed, including L rankings, invasive and non natives, number of bridges, distance of trail to river. Distance of trail to wetlands, wetland community L ranking, circumvent natural surface drainage.

59 Draft Evaluation Criteria Natural and Physical Environment Criteria Potential impact on erosion processes Potential impacts on surface drainage and groundwater Potential impacts to East Don River processes Indicators Number of bridge crossings together with the proximity of the trail to the edge of the river banks or unstable slopes. Potential impact on natural surface drainage paths together with potential alterations to groundwater regime. Potential impact on flood levels within the valley system, alteration of channel hydraulics, control on natural morphological processes, and water quality.

60 Draft Evaluation Criteria Social and Cultural Environment Criteria Impact to public safety objectives Disruption to local study area business and infrastructure operations and maintenance Disruption to existing valley land actives/uses Indicators Proximity to river, rail lines, road ways, and hydro towers, sight lines and amount of turns. Acquisition, easement or license agreements, potential to impede current operations and use. Potential negative impacts on existing valley uses.

61 Draft Evaluation Criteria Social and Cultural Environment Criteria Recreational Value Aesthetics Noise Level Indicators Access to river, ability to provide additional opportunities and experiences in the future, follow current informal trail (known use of area). Sight barriers, varying natural surroundings, vistas, and views. Proximity to works yards, rail line, road, industrial/commercial areas. Potential to impact known or Potential sites, known sites, trail utilizes potential archaeological sites, built already disturbed areas. heritage sites, and cultural heritage landscapes

62 Draft Evaluation Criteria Cost Criteria Indicators Capital Cost Number of bridge structures, tunnels under the railway, acquisition of private property, channel restoration and slope stabilization, and total length of trail through valley. Operational and Maintenance Cost Relative cost of maintaining the trail based on future risks due to flooding and erosion, proximity of trail to frequent flood levels, number of bridge or tunnel structures associated with each alternative with an expected 25 year lifespan. Cost Benefit Obtaining access to valley for sanitary sewer maintenance, slope stabilization to protect private property and overall benefit to public safety.

63 Draft Evaluation Criteria Technical Criteria Technical Feasibility Ease of Implementation Indicators Private property disruptions, acquisitions, constraints (ie. interaction with private golf course, ability to open cut rail crossings, use of at-grade rail crossings, trail adjacent to hydro one infrastructure) & slope or erosion stabilization measures. Approvals, both community and landowner acceptance, length of time to implement, required closure of rail lines at tunnel locations.

64 Next Steps Evaluate alternative trail alignments Select preferred alternative CLC meeting #4 will take place August 12 or 14 date to be determined

65 Questions?