INTRODUCTION
It was identified in previous studies,(Background Study for the Meadowlands Neighbourhoods 3, 4 and 5, Class Environmental Assessment Master Plan and the South Mountain Area Transportation Master Plan Review) that additional work had to be completed to meet the Schedule C, Municipal Class Environmental Assessment (EA) requirements for Garner Road East/Rymal Road. The study area will consider the stretch of Garner Road East/Rymal Road, from Hwy 6 to West 5th Road.
Study Area
(Click for larger image)
STUDY PURPOSE
The purpose of this project is also to complete the Municipal Class EA, Schedule C requirements for Garth Street, as per the South Mountain Area Transportation Plan. The study area includes Garth Street, from Rymal Road West to Stonechurch Road West. (see location map above)
This study will have regard for the City Wide Transportation Master Plan that has been endorsed by Council.
BACKGROUND
Projects to improve Garner Road East, stretching from Southcote Road to Glancaster Road, are addressed in the Background Study for the Meadowlands Neighbourhoods 3, 4 and 5, Class Environmental Assessment Master Plan. The Background Study was prepared for the former Town of Ancaster, now absorbed as part of the City of Hamilton, to satisfy two objectives: it addresses the Environmental Assessment Act requirements, and it provides the preliminary planning and engineering direction to enable urban development of the neighbourhood into the existing urban structure. The need to widen Garner Road East to four lanes was recommended as a Schedule C project in the Background Study. This project is therefore necessary in order to accommodate growth in regional traffic demands.
The strip of Garner Road that becomes Rymal Road, extending from Glancaster to West 5th St. and Garth Street, from Rymal Road West to Stonechurch Road West, are addressed in the South Mountain Area Transportation Master Plan, which was completed in 2000 and reviewed in 2006 to reconfirm that any outstanding EA projects were still valid. This study for the City of Hamilton was undertaken to identify existing short-term and long term transportation capacity deficiencies, as well as recommendations to address these deficiencies. Furthermore, this study will review opportunities for access to a variety of transit options and transit improvements, including pedestrian friendly-streets within the study area. Specifically, the recommended project is to widen Garth Street (Rymal Rd. W. to Stone Church Rd. W.) from 2 to 4 lanes. There may also be the need for a left turn access for local access.
Collectively, the Background Study for the Meadowlands Neighbourhoods 3, 4 and 5, Class Environmental Assessment Master Plan and the South Mountain Area Transportation Master Plan suggest comprehensive transportation improvement projects for Garner Road and Garth Street.
Specific projects that have been identified, as per the above mentioned studies, include:
- Garner Rd. E. - widen to 4 lanes in order to accommodate for traffic demands. Further, the eastbound left turn lane on Garner Rd. at Southcote Rd. will require an increase in left turn storage from 70m to 90m; and
- Rymal Road (Glancaster Rd. to West 5th St.) – widen from 2 to 4/5 lanes in order to alleviate possible congestion across to Ancaster.
- Garth Street (Rymal Rd. W. to Stone Church Rd. W.) – widen from 2 to 4 lanes. There may also be a need for left turn access (local).
PUBLIC CONSULTATION
Public Consultation is a mandatory part of the Class EA process. As such, the City intends to hold two Public Information Centres (PIC’S) in order to consult with and inform the residents and other interested parties on the conclusion of the review. The City website will also be used to post the Notice of Completion.
They City will provide notification in the Hamilton Spectator At Your Service section of the newspaper for all notices.
Public comments are invited at any time during this process for interested persons to review outstanding issues and bring concerns to the attention of the Project Managers.
PUBLIC INFORMATION CENTRE No. 2
PUBLIC INFORMATION CENTRE No. 1
CONTACT
If you have any questions or comments or wish to be added to the study mailing list, please contact:
Lorissa Skrypniak, MCIP, RPP
Senior Project Manager
Transportation Planning
Public Works Department
City of Hamilton
Tel: 905-546-2424 Ext. 2732
Fax: 905-546-4435
E-Mail: tplanning@hamilton.ca
Ian Upjohn, MCIP, RPP
Project Manager
SNC-Lavalin Inc.
400 Carlingview Drive
Toronto, Ontario, M9W 6N9
Tel.: 416-679-6289
Fax: 416-231-5356
E-mail: ian.upjohn@snclavalin.com
The project website: www.hamilton.ca/Garner-Rymal-Garth-EA