Six Mile Corridor Study

Public Works & Transportation Report

TO: Committee of the Whole DATE: December 4, 2019 FROM: J. Rosenberg, Director of Engineering & Parks MEETING: December 10, 2019

Six Mile Corridor Study

RECOMMENDATION:

THAT the report dated December 10, 2019, from the Director of Engineering and Parks titled “Six Mile Corridor Study” be received for information.

CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER’S COMMENTS:

I concur with the recommendation.

PURPOSE OF REPORT:

The completion of the Six Mile Corridor Study will allow staff to provide recommendations for mitigation measures on Six Mile Road. Staff will provide a project list for construction projects during the 2020-2024 Financial Plan. As the Ministry of Transportation has jurisdiction of the corridor, all planned works will require approval from the Ministry.

BACKGROUND DISCUSSION:

Engineering completed a traffic assessment of the Six Mile Corridor to determine the issues and the solutions on Six Mile Road. Existing traffic conditions were determined, as well as extrapolating future traffic flows to address planned development within the corridor. In addition, the growth of the West Shore commuter traffic volumes were included.

PROJECT INFORMATION:

Bunt & Associates Engineering Ltd. were engaged to complete a Corridor Study along Six Mile Road. The following tasks were incorporated:

• Both automatic and manual trip counts were taken;
• Multiple site visits to establish existing driver experiences within the corridor;
• A public open house for individuals to submit their concerns (57 attended, 47 submitted comments);
• Modelling of future development within the corridor as well as future growth of commuter traffic, and the impact on the corridor;
• Analysis of the mitigative measures that could be utilized to address public concerns;
• A second open house to discuss the proposed solutions and receive feedback from the public on the solutions recommended (45 attended, 29 submitted comments);
• A draft report reviewed by both Town of View Royal Staff and the Ministry of Transportation;
• A final report at the end of December.

The result of the public open house allowed the consultant to breakdown the concerns within the corridor into five categories:

1. Reduce vehicle travel times during peak periods (31%)
2. Traffic calming (27%)
3. Improve vehicle driver safety (18%)
4. Improve pedestrian safety (17%)
5. Improve cycling safety (7%)

It should be noted it is difficult to achieve satisfaction for all concerns, as addressing one concern can cause another concern to worsen. A balance was struck to attempt to address significant concerns while impacting other areas minimally. As an example, reducing travel time during peak periods (increasing the ability to move thru the corridor quickly) has the potential to decrease safety for vehicles, cyclists and pedestrians.

A priority matrix addressing concerns on a scale of 1-5 for three categories: improved traffic flow, traffic calming, and improvements to non-vehicular travel modes was utilized. A multiplier of cost of project was implemented to determine short and long term mitigative measures, that will be presented to Council for consideration during the 2020-2024 financial plan. A few of the measures are listed below:

• A 4-way stop at the Chilco/Nursery Hill intersection;
• A roundabout at the Atkins Road intersection;
• Signal light timing adjustment at the intersection of Island Highway.

There were several more measures contained in the draft report where costs ranged from $1,000 to $900,000. Funding for the projects will be sourced from:

• Development cost charges;
• Gas Tax;
• Capital reserves;
• Casino.

Depending on the ultimate desired solutions there will be operational costs that will be funded from taxation.

BUDGET IMPLICATIONS:

To be determined during the 2020-2024 financial plan discussions.

RECOMMENDATION:

THAT the report dated December 10, 2019, from the Director of Engineering and Parks titled “Six Mile Corridor Study” be received for information.