County Road 18 (Ward Street) - Municipal Class Environmental Assessment
Peterborough County, in consultation with the Township of Selwyn, has undertaken a Municipal Class Environmental Assessment Study to review the Ward Street (County Road 18) corridor between the James A. Gifford Causeway (Bridge Road) and Champlain Road in Bridgenorth, Ontario.
Study Purpose
For more than 50 years, the traffic capacity issues in the Ward Street (County Road 18) corridor in Bridgenorth have been studied. The heavy traffic observed along the corridor triggered the need for an Environmental Assessment to evaluate the extent of the problem and determine a recommended plan to address the problem.
Project Objective
The study identifies and evaluates potential improvements to address capacity issues, increase safety, promote active transportation, improve access to properties, and implement recommendations from the Selwyn Community Improvement Plan
Municipal Class Environmental Assessment
This project has been completed following the Municipal Class Environmental Assessment framework. The project has been classified as a Schedule C and includes five phases:
Phase 1: Identifying the Problem and Objectives
Phase 2: Evaluation of Alternative Solutions
Phase 3: Alternative Design Concepts for the Preferred Solutions
Phase 4: Environmental Study Report
Phase 5: Detailed Design and Implementation
Project Background
Ward Street is the main transportation corridor through Bridgenorth and functions as the main street of Bridgenorth. This dual purpose results in multiple stakeholders and interests in the future of the street. The traffic capacity of Ward Street has been studied for many years, and various alternative solutions have been proposed. A previous Environmental Assessment Study was undertaken and endorsed in the 1990s. The preferred solution at the time was to construct a by-pass around Bridgenorth, redirecting traffic away from Ward Street. This by-pass project was deferred for many years and in 2022 was removed from the Transportation Master Plan at the discretion of the Peterborough County Council. With the removal of the by-pass, Peterborough County needs a new solution to address Ward Street's capacity issues, poor road conditions, and community improvements. This Municipal Class Environmental Assessment was initiated by Peterborough County following recommendations in the 2022 Transportation Master Plan
Project Team
At the onset of the project, a Technical Advisory Committee was assembled to direct the Environmental Assessment Study. The committee includes staff from Peterborough County, the Township of Selwyn, Engage Engineering, and Tranplan Associates.
Stakeholder Consultation
A proactive stakeholder consultation plan was developed to actively involve the public, elected officials, and approval agencies in the decision-making process. Public notices were distributed to all identified stakeholders. Two Public Information Centres were held to introduce the project, outline the planning process, and allow stakeholders to provide feedback and share comments. These sessions were hosted at the Bridgenorth Community Hall. The two Public Information Centres were well attended, and feedback from the participants was generally positive. The feedback indicated support for one or more of the alternatives and design solutions that were carried forward. The comments were consistent with and reinforced the project objectives, particularly in addressing traffic issues, improving pedestrian accessibility and walkability, and a desire for improved community space in the corridor. Individual meetings with property and business owners were held at their respective properties. These meetings facilitated transparent communication, fostered collaboration, and ensured that stakeholder needs were understood and addressed. As a result, several adjustments were made to the preferred alternative design based on input received during these consultations.
Traffic Conditions
The traffic analysis revealed new traffic patterns that have changed from previous studies, reflecting the widespread adoption of remote work following the COVID-19 pandemic. Currently, Ward Street operates below capacity and is projected to maintain adequate capacity through 2041. However, Ward Street is anticipated to experience capacity shortfalls during peak traffic periods beyond 2041.
Alternative Solutions and Design Concepts
The Technical Advisory Committee developed reasonable and feasible alternative solutions to address the project objectives. The alternatives were assessed based on specific criteria related to land use, socio-economic environments, traffic and other forms of transportation. Eight alternative design concepts were evaluated:
Alternative 1: Road Rehabilitation with Localized Improvements
Alternative 2: Roundabout at the Ward Street and Bridge Street intersection
Alternative 3: Roundabout at the Ward Street and Bridge Street intersection, and a center turning lane from Gore Street to Tim Hortons
Alternative 4: Roundabout at the Ward Street and Bridge Street intersection and signals at Tim Hortons
Alternative 5: Optimize signal timing at the Ward Street and Bridge Street intersection
Alternative 6: Optimize signal timing at Ward Street and Bridge Street intersection and extend the center turning lane from Gore Street to Tim Hortons
Alternative 7: Optimize signal timing at Ward Street and Bridge Street intersection, and signalize the Tim Hortons intersection
Alternative 8: Shift the traffic signal from the Ward Street and Wilcox Street intersection to Ward Street and Gore Street
Through the evaluation process, the recommended design was determined to be Alternative 1, Road Rehabilitation with Localized Improvements. The recommended design was further refined after public and stakeholder consultation and is presented as the recommended plan.
Recommended Plan
The recommended plan consists of a full road reconstruction with geometric improvement, new active transportation options, and additional stormwater management improvements. The preferred design will implement actions identified in the Community Improvement Plan and have minimal natural environmental impacts, with the potential to improve stormwater quality. The road rehabilitation and localized improvements will maintain corridor capacity and level of service for the short to medium term, increase pedestrian safety and add new active transportation options.
Environmental Impact Mitigation
Anticipated or potential environmental impacts associated with the recommended plan were considered, and proposed mitigation measures were provided. These mitigation measures include managing and controlling silt and sediment transfer during construction, additional stormwater quality control features, and early consultation with affected property owners.
Next Steps
Phase 5: Detailed Design and Implementation is currently underway. Updates to come when available.