SPC Committee on Transportation Decisions in Brief
From the May 9, 2016 Meeting
7.1.3 Comprehensive Downtown Parking Strategy Update
Decision
*The committee resolved:
1. That the report be received as information;
2. That Administration report back on implementation of recommendations 8.1 and 8.2 outlined in the downtown parking strategy report; and
3. That the Administration further discuss with the Partnership, and the Broadway and Riversdale Business Improvement Districts, the 3 hour parking limit, including discussion on the 21st Street and 2nd Avenue exemption, and provide an update report at the next committee meeting.
Background
*The purpose of the Parking Strategy is to guide the parking decisions and actions as the City grows to a population of 500,000.
*The key directions of the Parking Strategy are divided into two categories:
a) how to address current parking challenges; and
b) how to plan for future needs.
*The Parking Strategy includes a potential Implementation Plan identifying short and long-term actions.
7.1.4 North Commuter Parkway and Traffic Bridge Construction Update
Decision
*The committee received the information.
Background
*In September of 2015, City Council awarded the RFP for the North Commuter Parkway and Traffic Bridge, naming Graham Commuter Partners (GCP) as the preferred proponent.
*Currently at the Traffic Bridge, GCP is continuing construction of the new Pier 3 (south in-river pier), and over the next several months will be constructing the new bridge abutments and erecting Span 4 (south bridge span).
*Final permits necessary to commence in-river construction for the new North Commuter Parkway bridge were received in late March. Berm construction began immediately and was completed in early April. Over the next several months, GCP will be constructing the new Pier 1 (west pier) and west bridge headslope.
*Clearing of the roadway alignments for McOrmond Drive and Central Avenue has been completed and topsoil stripping in these areas is ongoing.
*Upgrades at the intersection of Central Avenue and Attridge Drive and the intersection of Wanuskewin Road and Marquis Drive are planned over the 2016 Spring/Summer construction season.
*Modifications have been made to the limits of the sound attenuation along Central Avenue based on feedback from the community.
7.2.1 Montgomery Place Neighbourhood Traffic Review
Decision
*The committee recommended to City Council:
1. That the Neighbourhood Traffic Review for the Montgomery Place neighbourhood be adopted as the framework for future traffic improvements in the area, to be undertaken as funding is made available through the annual budget process;
2. That the speed limit on all local roads within the Montgomery Place neighbourhood be reduced from 50 kph to 40 kph; and
3. That the City Solicitor be requested to prepare the appropriate bylaw amendment.
Background
*A Neighbourhood Traffic Plan for the Montgomery Place neighbourhood was developed in consultation with the community in response to concerns such as speeding, traffic shortcutting, and pedestrian safety. The plan will be implemented over time as funding for the improvements is available.
7.2.7 Highway 16/Boychuk Drive and McOrmond Drive/College Drive interchanges Status Update
Decision
*The committee is forwarding the report to City Council for information.
Background
*In October of 2014, City Council approved a report to allocate $2 Million of funding to hire an Owner’s Engineer for the construction of interchanges at Highway 16/Boychuk Drive and McOrmond Drive/College Drive.
*Sound attenuation studies were completed to determine noise impact of the interchanges and identified.
*At Highway 16/Boychuk Drive, additional sound attenuation is required adjacent to Lakeview neighbourhood.
*At McOrmond Drive/College Drive, additional sound attenuation is required adjacent to Arbor Creek neighbourhood.
*Extension of sound attenuation beyond construction limits along College Drive, west of the McOrmond Drive/College Drive interchange, is required.
*The Request for Qualifications will shortlist three Proponents to participate in the Request for Proposal to be awarded in fall of 2016.
*A de-scoping ladder must be established to mitigate the risk of a failure to award the project, in the event that all of the financial proposals result in pricing above the City’s affordability threshold.
7.2.8 Sidewalk Condition and Plan
Decision
*The committee is forwarding the report to City Council as information and Administration will report to the 2017 budget deliberations with options for maintaining the current rate of sidewalk repair and replacement while phasing out the asphalt overlay repair program.
Background
*Saskatoon has 1,524 km of sidewalk with an estimated replacement value of $722M.
*Saskatoon’s sidewalks are generally in satisfactory condition, based on current inspection data and the calculated Sidewalk Condition Index.
*The Sidewalk Preservation Program is implemented on the sidewalks adjacent to the Roadway Surfacing Program. An estimated $4.9M per year is required to allow for an average sidewalk intervention treatment cycle of 20 years using the current treatment approach. This funding is available within the current funding plan, due largely to lower than anticipated roadway resurfacing contract costs.
*The Sidewalk Maintenance Plan has a budget of $1.03M and addresses safety and maintenance issues throughout the remainder of the city. The 2016 plan is to address sidewalks with the poorest condition and highest pedestrian potential.