Better Cycling Dedicated bike facilities will be constructed along BRT corridors where space is available. Nearby bike routes will also be upgraded to ensure a complete network is available for cyclists. Bike parking will be provided a key locations to connect cyclists to transit. The City will update the cycling master plan (London ON Bikes) based on the approved BRT network.
Moving people Bus Rapid Transit will move more people. Streets with transit lanes will also move pedestrians, cyclists and cars. Where possible, streets will keep the same number of traffic lanes as today. Parallel roads such as Western Road, Wharncliffe Road and Adelaide Street will be improved. Approved capacity improvement / optimization on parallel road Potential capacity improvement / optimization on parallel road Strategies to help keep traffic moving: Upgrades to parallel roads Protected left-turn and U-Turns at most signalized intersections for safe movement and access Upgraded traffic signal technology and improved signal timing
Key considerations Matters of Provincial Importance must be considered during the Transit Project Assessment Process, following Ontario Regulation 231/08. Natural Heritage Park, conservation reserve or protected area Extirpated, endangered, threatened, or special concern and their habitat Wetland, woodland, habitat of wildlife or other natural heritage area Area of natural or scientific interest Stream, creek, river, or lake containing fish and their habitants Hydrogeology Area or region of surface water or groundwater or other important hydrological features Areas that may be impacted by a known or suspected on or off-site source of contamination Heritage & Archaeology Protected heritage property Built heritage landscapes Archaeological resources and areas of potential archaeological interest Aboriginal Affairs Constitutionally protected Aboriginal or treaty rights and areas of concern
Archaeology The Recommended Design strives to stay within the existing municipal road allowance to minimize impacts to the City s archaeological resources. Work Completed Stage 1 Archaeological Assessment: review of published information Stage 2 Archaeological Assessment: test pits of some undisturbed areas Findings The BRT corridors were screened and the following potential archaeological resources were found: 4 registered sites 8 historic cemeteries 17 areas with potential for deeply buried deposits Next Steps Determine archaeological potential of Victoria Park Stage 2 Archaeological Assessment for areas identified during Stage 1: Spring 2018 Stage 3 Cemetery investigations will be conducted within 10 metres of all identified cemetery locations during detail design / prior to construction Appropriate strategies will be developed in consultation with the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport and Heritage Planners within the City s Planning Services Department Victoria Park Infantry Barracks
Cultural Heritage The Recommended Design strives to stay within the existing municipal road allowance to minimize impacts to the City s heritage resources. Work Completed Cultural Heritage Constraints Report completed to identify heritage resources Presented draft Cultural Heritage Screening Report to London Advisory Committee on Heritage (LACH) on February 14, 2018 Findings The BRT corridors were screened and a list was compiled of over 400 properties that require further study to determine their potential for cultural heritage value or interest. We ve identified 16 Designated Heritage Properties: North & Downtown East Corridor West Corridor South Corridor Corridor 1603 Richmond Street 1132 Richmond Street 1061 Richmond Street 1058 Richmond Street 986 Richmond Street 835 Richmond Street 805 Richmond Street 623 Richmond Street 850 Highbury Avenue 1156 Dundas Street 871 Dundas Street 866 Dundas Street 389 Dundas Street 163 Oxford Street West 138 Wellington Street 129-131 Wellington Street Identified 3 Heritage Conservation Districts within BRT corridors: o West Woodfield o Downtown o Blackfriars Petersville Next Steps A Heritage Impact Assessment is recommended for the 16 designated properties and 3 Heritage Conservation Districts during detail design. A Cultural Heritage Evaluation Report will be required for the potential heritage resources identified by the Cultural Heritage Screening Report and the approximately 110 listed propertied within the corridor You can review the Cultural Heritage findings in the report provided.
Natural Environment Potential Impacts and Mitigation Medway Creek Mud Creek SITE 3 Road to be widened by approximately 6 metres to the north Channel realignment New culvert and wildlife passage Enhancement of valley Bridge to be widened by approximately 12 metres to the east Avoidance of Environmentally Significant Area and Significant woodlands Habitat enhancement and restoration Compensatory mitigation requirements Thames River at University Bridge structural requirements under review >1:1 habitat replacement Invasive species management strategy Queens Ave Bridge over Thames River Bridge to be widened by approximately 0.4 metres to the north In-water works not anticipated Avoidance of direct impacts to Species at Risk Invasive species management strategy Exeter Road Park and Ride lot under consideration Avoidance of natural vegetation and Species at Risk habitat Invasive species management strategy Hydraulic modelling to assess reduction in floodplain Thames River at Wellington Rd Bridge to be widened approximately 9.4 metres to the east >1:1 habitat replacement Invasive species management strategy Westminister Ponds / Pond Mills ESA Road widening and addition of multiuse path and grading to east >1:1 habitat replacement Invasive species management strategy Habitat enhancement and restoration
Supporting Technical Studies Will BRT create more or less noise along the corridor? Noise and Vibration Assessment: Possible Impacts Noise has potential to increase with removal of buildings and road widening Mitigation Strategies Noise walls will be required at some areas along the corridor Noise impacts will be less if electric buses are used How will BRT impact London s Air Quality? Air Quality Assessment: Possible Impacts Reduced City-wide air emissions due to modal shifts to transit Localized air emissions at signalized intersections Mitigation Strategies Tree planting adjacent to roadway along proposed BRT route Potential use of electric buses How will BRT impact stormwater runoff? Stormwater and Drainage: Possible Impacts Existing sewers may have capacity issues and require reconstruction Storm water outlets to existing watercourses and environmentally sensitive areas, such as Mud Creek and Westminster Ponds, may require quantity or quality control Mitigation Strategies Development of low impact development measures such as bio-rentention areas, swales, filtration to manage storm water quantity and quality Liaison with the Upper Thames River Conservation Authority, the City of London, and approving agencies to consider net effects