Blackfriars Bridge Municipal Class Environmental Assessment Public Information Centre #1 November 19 th, 2014
Why are you here tonight? To determine the future requirements of the river crossing at Blackfriars Street, including: rehabilitation, replacement, or removal of the existing bridge recognizing: its importance as a significant heritage structure, its role as a component of the parks and pathway system, its role in the transportation network (including cycling and pedestrian transportation), and its socio-economic value to the community. this is known as the problem/opportunity statement for the Municipal Class Environmental Assessment (EA)
Municipal Class EA Process We are here We are presenting Phases 1 & 2 tonight Phase 1 - Understand what the problems and opportunities are within the project boundaries and develop a problem statement to guide the EA Phase 2 - Develop & evaluate alternative solutions to address the problems/opportunities identified and select the preferred solution Phase 3 - Develop & evaluate alternative design concepts for the preferred solution Phase 4 - Write the Environmental Study Report that summarizes the entire EA process including how public comments were addressed, the potential environmental impacts, and how the project team proposes to mitigate the impacts Phase 5 - Implementation which includes detail design and construction
The Blackfriars Bridge EA Study Area Area of review for natural environmental inventories (200m buffer) Blackfriars Bridge crossing location & focus for EA
Background & Existing Condition of Blackfriars Bridge The existing wrought iron bowstring arch-truss bridge was constructed in 1875 (the video presentation provides details on the significance of the structure to the community) Following a risk assessment (2012), detailed inspection and evaluation of the bridge in 2013, the City completed temporary repairs and modified the bridge to pedestrian/cyclist-use only A Municipal Class EA is required when a bridge over 40 years old is reconstructed or altered The City initiated this Class EA to identify the preferred future use of the Blackfriars Bridge A long term solution is required for the bridge!
Relevant Policy Documents & Studies Examples include: City of London Official Plan and related land use, transportation and natural environment schedules Blackfriars-Petersville Heritage Conservation District Plan (2014) Bicycle Master Plan (March 2005) Thames Valley Corridor Plan Smart Moves 2030 Transportation Master Plan London Strengthening Neighbourhood Strategy
Existing Natural Environment Conditions The following natural environment surveys have been completed to date: Ecological Land Classification Wildlife Habitat Birds, flora, other wildlife Aquatic assessment 3 natural vegetation communities are found within and adjacent to the Blackfriars Bridge including: Cottonwood Mineral Treed Shoreline, Fresh-moist Cottonwood Deciduous Forest, and Mixed Deciduous Treed Bluff Several common species of birds typical of urban areas were observed including: Blue Jay, Northern Flicker, Mourning Dove, House Sparrow, Mallard, European Starling, Canada Goose, Black-capped Chickadee, American Robin, Northern Cardinal, Downy Woodpecker, Rock Dove and Common Grackle Confirmation of Species at Risk is ongoing and targeted field studies (e.g. detailed tree inventories and basking surveys for reptiles) may be carried out to confirm presence
Existing Transportation Conditions Blackfriars Street is designated as a Secondary Collector Road, previously carrying approximately 5000 vehicles/day Secondary Collectors are designed for light volumes of traffic for short distances between local and arterial streets; full property access; bus routes; and bicycle/pedestrian facilities (Table 18.1 of the Official Plan) When the crossing was open for vehicle use, traffic typically flowed eastbound in the AM and westbound in the PM and was a popular access route to and from London s downtown The river crossing provides a key connection to the Thames Valley Parkway (TVP) trail system for alternative modes of transportation With Blackfriars Bridge closed to vehicular traffic, the project team is evaluating short and long term impacts to the adjacent road network.
Assessing the Alternatives The following provides an overview of the environmental factors to be considered by the project team when reviewing existing and future conditions, developing the alternatives; analyzing and evaluating them to determine the preferred solution: Transportation Environment Road safety Addressing existing and future traffic needs Emergency service access Accommodation & safety of cyclists/pedestrians Natural Environment Fisheries and aquatic resources Terrestrial features and wildlife Species at Risk Technical Considerations Structural requirements Utility impacts Geotechnical considerations Hydrology Economic Environment Capital costs Property costs Maintenance costs Social Environment Residential land uses Commercial land uses Parkland/TVP connectivity Future development/ redevelopment potential Land use planning objectives Noise and vibration Aesthetics Cultural Environment Cultural heritage impacts Archaeological impacts
Alternative Solutions Rehabilitate* Blackfriars for pedestrian and cyclist use only Rehabilitate* Blackfriars for vehicular, pedestrian and cyclist use Replace Blackfriars with a new bridge for vehicular, pedestrian and cyclist use Remove Blackfriars Bridge Do Nothing is not considered a feasible alternative solution in this case, since the current repairs are short term only, leaving the same decision to be made when the repairs have expired The project team wants to hear from you! Share your thoughts on the alternative solutions presented today. Please complete a comment form and submit by December 5th, 2014. * We do know the existing bridge can be rehabilitated for vehicular and/or pedestrian/cyclist use it is a matter of addressing certain issues, such as: feasibility of repair methods; management of risk; economics and maintenance of heritage attributes and aesthetic appearance. These issues will be reviewed in Phase 3 of the EA process.
Next Steps The project team will: complete the full evaluation of alternative solutions based on information and comments collected select the preferred solution develop the preferred solution into alternative design concepts (Phase 3) To be presented at next public meeting anticipated in the spring 2015 Information related to this study (including the video presentation) will be uploaded to the project website www.blackfriarsbridge.ca Thank you for coming!