Red Hill Valley Project Presented By: More Than A Road October 16, 2006 September, 2007 Gerry Davis, C.M.A., Senior Director, Capital Planning and Implementation Division Public Works Department City of Hamilton Canada Ontario Hamilton 1
Southern Ontario Ontario Michigan Hamilto n New York 2
1950-1967 1956 -- Six years after land purchase, the expressway project is conceived. Continues through various stages of design and construction for almost Fifty years. 1967 -- The transportation corridor becomes part of the City s official Plan. 1985 Region s environmental assessment submission approved by Provincial Joint Hearing Board. 3
1990 Provincial government withdraws funding, but not approvals for Project. Construction switches to east/west leg. 1995 Provincial government restores funding for north/south leg of the Red Hill Valley Project. 4
1997 East/west leg... Lincoln M. Alexander Parkway opens to traffic. Continued public opposition to north/south leg provides the context for the Region to initiate a redesign process to lessen Project impacts. 1997 Design Team expanded to over 24 professional disciplines. Air Quality Assessment Archaeology Architecture (golf course, landscape, structures) Built Heritage Community Consultation/Facilitation Economic Assessment Engineering (highway, geotechnical, municipal, stormwater, traffic, electrical, mechanical) Environmental Law Environmental Management Environmental Science (fisheries, fluvial-geomorphology, soil contamination, terrestrial ecology, groundwater) Health effects Noise Planning (land use, environmental) 5
1998 Region completed a community based watershed plan for the Red Hill Creek watershed. Purpose: to develop an ecosystem based approach to planning within the watershed. 1999 Project is subject to a panel hearing under the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act. Region takes matter to federal court. Impact Assessment reports placed on hold. 6
2002 Federal Trial and Appellant courts support City s case. Rule planning legislation cannot be applied to a project under construction. 2003 City finishes impact reports and summaries. Recommences construction of the north/south leg after 3 year delay. 7
2003/04 Protests by environmental and First Nations groups stall construction. City obtains injunction order and begins working with Six Nations representatives. 2004 City and Haudenosaunee Sign Landmark Agreements Rather than engage in debate or dispute about the nature of their rights in the Valley the Haudenosaunee and Hamilton resolved instead to concentrate on agreeing about the nature of their responsibilities, and about how responsibilities will be fulfilled. Archeologyand Burials Joint Stewardship of Red Hill Valley Hunting, Fishing, Gathering and Trapping Medicine Plants Human Heritage Economic Opportunities 8
Project Elements The Red Hill Valley Project includes: Parkway 7 km Creek Realignment Stormwater Management System Combined Sewer Overflow Pipe Landscape Management Plan (LMP) Parkway 8km long, 4 lanes (plus 1 truck climbing lane), 90km/h freeway. Design changes save 1 lane kilometre of asphalt and significantly reduced impacts to the Niagara Escarpment, a World Heritage Biosphere Reserve. 9
Creek Restoration At 7 kms, it is the longest channel relocation / restoration in an urban setting in North America. Stormwater Management System 23 Stormwater Management facilities. 100 year flood protection. Zero net impact on receiving waters. 10
Combined Sewer Overflow (CSO) Pipe 2.9 km long pipe to collect combined sewer overflows and distribute to treatment plant. Reduces number of discharges to Red Hill Creek from approx. 20-27 per year to approx. 1-3 per year. Landscape Management Plan (LMP) Ecological Restoration Six Nations has assembled a highly skilled team of restoration practitioners As many as 1 million trees will replace the 15,000 lost through construction Wetland impacts compensated at a ratio of 2:1 11
LMP Trails and Parks Red Hill Valley Trail People have traveled this for 11,000 years. The rich cultural, environmental and engineering make-up of this valley is being communicated. Rennie Street End Use Plan 12
Future Works/Plans Queen Elizabeth Way Pedestrian Crossing Integrates hundreds of km of trails. Future Works/Plans 13
Future Works/Plans Lincoln Alexander Parkway and Red Hill Valley Parkway Sustainability Plan Integrated Environmental Monitoring Program Fish and Fish Habitat Purpose To ensure that the environment is protected To ensure that everyone recognizes their responsibility and accountability To ensure that all commitments are met 14
Procedures have been developed for: Clearing & Grubbing Structure Removal / Modification Dewatering Equipment Operation/Maintenance/Fuelling Erosion and Sediment Control Excavation for Structures Forming and Pouring for Concrete Elements Grading Hauling and Placement of Materials Line Painting Paving Product Storage and Handling Stockpiling 15
We Thank You! 16