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Home My WebLink AboutWD-31-96r THE CORPORATION OF THS REPORT Meeting: GENERAL PURPOSE AND ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE Date: September 23 1996 Report #: W11=31- Q 6 File #: Subject: SIDEWALRS IN NEVPCASTLE (BOND HEAD) File # ~O Res. tl~~ q'~~ (6- By-Law # Recommendations: It is respectfully recommended that the General Purpose and Administration Committee recommend to Council the following: 1. THAT Report WD-31-96 be received; 2. THAT no action be taken to install sidewalks in the Newcastle (Bond Head) area of Mill Street or Boulton Street during the current or 1997 budgets; 3. THAT consideration of sidewalks in this. area be combined with future requirements of the Waterfront Trail; 4. THAT Inspector Ross Smith of Durham Regional Police, 16 Division, Bowmanville, be requested to provide radar.. enforcement in this area to increase compliance with the posted speed limits and improve safety for pedestrians; and 5. THAT Farncomb Le Gresley be advised of Council's decision. REPORT 1.0 ATTACHMENTS No. 1: Key Map No. 2: Correspondence Dated June 24, 1996 from Farncomb Le Gresley .E~.~..o®.E~.«E ~ ~ p 5 REPORT NO.: WD-31-96 2.0 BACKGROUND PAGE 2 2.1 At a meeting held on July 8, 1996, the Council of the Municipality of Clarington passed the following resolution: "THAT the correspondence dated June 24, 1996, from Farncomb Le Gresley, 41 Metcalf Street, R.R. #8 Newcastle, L1B iL9, regarding the conditions of sidewalks in Newcastle (Bond Head), be received; THAT the correspondence be referred to the Director of Public Works for review and preparation of a report to be submitted to the General Purpose and Administration Committee; and THAT Farncomb Le Gresley be advised of Council's decision." 3.0 REVIEW AND COMMENT 3.1 Pedestrian Safetv Mr. Le Gresley is concerned about pedestrian safety and has requested a sidewalk link form Toronto Street southerly along Mill Street to the Bond Head Parkette and then easterly along Boulton Street. The previous paths of the late 1940's apparently disappeared as mature trees and hedges encroached on them and pedestrians began using the roadway. Much of the previous alignment is now occupied by mature trees and hedges. 3.2 Sidewalk Desian The design for the future Mill Street Bridge over Graham Creek permits sidewalk areas on both sides of the structure. The structure was initially planned for replacement during 1996 but has been delayed due to budget restraints. 11D6 REPORT NO.: WD-31-96 PAGE 3 3.3 Coat and Length The requested sidewalk would be 1.890 km in length with a basic cost of $189,000 if based on $100 per metre. The project cost would actually be much higher due to the requirement of creating an underpass under the Canadian National Railway tracks. Reconstruction and widening of the subway has been reviewed in the past, but due to excessive cost, is expected to remain unchanged for many years. Creation of a sidewalk would also require filling of the ditch along portions of Mill Street, thereby leading to the upgrading of the roadway to urban standards with curb and gutter. A portion of sidewalk construction costs may be linked to the Waterfront Trail and could be considered in that budget for 1998 or later projects. 3.4 Installation of Sidewalk The creation of a sidewalk would entail removal or root damage to many mature trees in Bond Head, which would concern the Bond Head Community, Historical Society, and Heritage Committee. Residents with wide frontages would also object to the sidewalk snow clearing requirements during the winter months. 3.5 Pedestrian Activity Pedestrian activity is generated by both the Waterfront Trail and local residents, but children are bussed and not required to walk to School. Staff is not aware of any residents on Mill Street or Boulton Street requesting sidewalks. The number of pedestrian warning signs along this section of the Waterfront Trail has been increased from two to four signs. Periodic pedestrian counts may be required to determine the actual demand for sidewalks. --1 }07 REPORT NO.: WD-31-96 PAGE 4 3.6 Traffic Speed and Volume Automated traffic counters were installed to check the speeds and volumes of vehicles on Mill Street. The results indicated acceptable volumes, but speeds in the area were higher than expected when considering the existing traffic calming characteristics of narrow pavement width and full mature trees providing an enclosed ambiance for drivers. The posted speed is 50 km/hr. DATH VOLDME AVERAGE SPEED 85TH PERCENTILE VEHICLES ABOVE 60 KM/HR Aug. 28, 1996 SOS 47.08 67.88 280 (19.3&) 3.7 Future Development As development occurs in the area over the next several years, along with increasing pedestrian and vehicle volumes, the sidewalk issue will become more timely. Any plans for future sidewalks or other reconstruction in the Bond Head area should be discussed with the Heritage Committee and other groups to determine the impact on the area before plans are finalized. 4.0 CONCLUSION 4.1 From the above, it is concluded that no action be taken to install sidewalks at the present time. Respectfully submitted, i~~ ~1/ ~ Step n A. Vokes, P.Eng. Director of Public Works Reviewed by, ~~ W. H. Stockwell Chief Administrative Officer RDB/SAV/wc September 18, 1996 Attachments ~~OS REPORT NO.: WD-31-96 PAGE 5 Farncomb Le Gresley 41 Metcalf Street, R.R Newcastle, Ontario L1B 1L9 #$ __11;09 ., ~~ ~ REQUIRED Cl parka St - - l MILL STR ~~ m m o /~ 1 _ _ \ I BOND HEAD PARKETTE I No. R SITE ~~~ m Darcy ~_ I LAKE ONTARIO ,' I MekWfSt ## 4~TCALF y rt a `.°ke"'rryR~ r ereu^ ~.~ NUTER FR0MTRAIL, PRESENT gl1aNMENr MlwRrw~ RE<JUESTE~SI~EWALK I I 8 DRAWN BY: ATTACHN I E KEY MAP WD-31-96 1110 COUNCIL DIRECTION ~ Farncomb Le Gresley 41 Metcalf Stree[, RR#8 NEWCASTLE, Ontario ~~ ~r~! Canada L1B 1L9 ,~~ E-Mail: farncombC~durham.net - _ (905) 987-4511 x;>rat»xca~av'e~:avcas~saw<assn:come::n::.:x<wu>acs~ecm~sa~xxxsxex~.:::~x~.rzaxa>xasva~axa',e'as~xwcaccaoxmesx.~sHsu:ssisuc:wxxews>r;~sz'razes::nsee;ustai«.::.:asrtti«x::;a June 24, 1996 Ms. Dianne Hamre, Mayor Municipality of Clarington 40 Temperance Street BOWMANVILLE, Ontario L1C 3A6 ~~~~~ RE: Sidewalks in Newcastle (Bond Head) Dear Ms. Hamre: T, ALL:, L ~, 4.] ~. 4r. JUh 2 4 'ins „;~~ij~?Cl°ALIN Oi~ CIARI": " - ;~ kiAVOrt S OFFICE You will find enclosed several pictures, which we have taken, of existing culverts and the route which were part of a sidewalk that extended from the corner of Mill Street South and Toronto Street, down the east side of Mill Street South, to Boulton Street. We understand that this was originally a boardwalk, however, I remember the sidewalk as an excellent cinder walk which I always used when walking to school. We do not know when this sidewalk was originally built, but my father says it was a wooden walk when he moved here in about 1920. Since about 1950 this sidewalk has not been maintained and has been overgrown with trees and hedges in places to such an extent that it has been no longer useable for some time. We have two very important reasons for bringing this to the attention of the Clarington Council at the present time. Our first concern is pedestrian safety, and the second involves the construction of the new bridge which must be built where Mill Street South crosses Graham Creek, to replace the existing unsafe and inadequate bridge. There are many pedestrians who walk on Mill Street South and Boulton Street; some for exercise for their health and enjoyment, some for medical therapy, others as an alternative to vehicular transportation, as well as children going to and from school. Since the development of the community parkette at the end of Mill Street South and the development of the Crombie Walk,- there has been an increase in the number of pedestrians using this scenic route Also, since the development of the parkette, the vehicular traffic has increased dramatically. Many of these vehicles are driven carelessly and at speeds much above the posted speed limits, with little regard for pedestrians. In some places, when cars going in opposite directions meet, there is no shoulder on the D-7 ATTACHMENT N0. 2 g WD-31-96 0 t road and pedestrians must jump into the ditch to avoid being hit by a vehicle. This has happened to us on several occasions. Since the bridge on Mill Street South over Graham Creek must be rebuilt we wish to bring to the attention of the Clarington Council, the necessity and importance of providing for a proper sidewalk over the new bridge. At the same time we request that the original sidewalk on Mill Street South be rebuilt and a sidewalk constructed along Boulton Street. Please give this request your immediate consideration before there is a pedestrian fatality in this area. Also, some speed control, particularly on Mill Street South and Metcalf Street, would be very much appreciated. Thank you very much. Sincerely, Farncomb and Nancy Le Gresley i715`E~.t~~U~'lQt~ CLERK ._ Af,K. BY ...~.~.,r,T.yy~ '~ . _.-__-: .. ---,- ~ ___ h.." . + t --1~-------; ,_ - ; i • .____._ . _.--~-° j--__~ __ -;: ~~~z