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HomeMy WebLinkAboutWD-90-83//" r � . / v/ K 1k LO • • • PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT HAMPTON, ONTARIO LOB 1JO R. DUPUIS, P. ENG., DIRECTOR TEL. (416) 263.2231 987.5039 REPORT TO THE GENERAL PURPOSE AND ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE MEETING OF NOVEMBER 7, 1983. REPORT NO.: WD -90 -83 SUBJECT: PEDESTRIAN UNDERPASS BENEATH DURHAM ROAD 57 CONNECTING ALONNA STREET AND ROSALYNNE CRESCENT RECOMMENDATION: It is respectfully recommended: 1. That this report be received for information and that a copy be forwarded to Mrs. Janice Slocombe; and, 2. That Council consider inclusion of funds in the 1984 Budget for installation of fencing at the ends of the pedestrian underpass beneath Durham Road 57. REPORT On October 11, 1983, Mrs. Janice Slocombe, Chairperson for the Waverley Block Parent Committee appeared as a delegation to Council expressing concerns relating to the subject pedestrian underpass. These concerns can be summarized as follows: 1. Lights internal to the tunnel, if installed, would be in contravention of the Building Code; F Page 2 REPORT: WD -90 -83 2. The tunnel appears to be sinking; 3. Since access to Durham Road 57 from adjacent properties is barred by fences, access from the ends of the tunnel to Road 57 should similarly be prevented by the installation of fencing; 4. The gabion retaining walls are being torn apart and the stones contained therein are being thrown at tunnel users. The matter of internal tunnel lights has been investigated and it was found that the Electric Code as opposed to the Building Code applies. Essentially, the code specifies that lighting fixtures and wiring shall not be readily accessible. In the case of the tunnel, there is insufficient height to prevent accessibility, therefore, any installation could be claimed to be in contravention of the code. Furthermore, the market has again been searched to determine whether more vandal proof fixtures are available, but to no avail. Considering both of these facts, it is not prudent to consider expenditures for lighting internal to the tunnel. Lighting external to the tunnel, which shines into it, has been considered in the past, however, any proposals identified had their own set of problems. Flood- lights would create a nuisance for adjacent property owners and a danger to cars using Durham Road 57 as a blinding situation could be created. Low - mounted street lights were considered, however, the vandalism factor would be inherent in such an installation. The matter of lighting has been considered since 1976, and no acceptable alternative has been identified. ...3 Page 3 REPORT: WD -90 -83 It has been suggested that the tunnel is sinking. A certain amount of settlement has occurred, however, the amount is not great, nor does it pose a structural problem. Erection of a fence around both entrances to the tunnel to prevent access to Durham Road 57 has been suggested. The Town could pursue this request and, in fact, include funds in the 1984 Budget. Costs would be in the order of about $2,000 to $3,000 and will be included in the 1984 Budget if Council so directs. With respect to the gabion retaining walls, their condition has been inspected and it was found that generally the baskets are intact and there is little opportunity to remove the stone they contain. Where the baskets have been opened, repairs will be made, and, as well, periodic checks will be implemented to ensure that the baskets are wired shut. To allow Council the opportunity to review the history of this matter, copies of past reports are included for information. Respectfully submitted, R.G. Dupuis, P. Eng., Director of Public Works. RGD:jco October 27, 1983. v TOWN OF NEWCASTLE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT Director's Report to Public Works Committee of February 17, 1981. ITEM: WD- 22 -81. DATE: February 5, 1981. SUBJECT: Pedestrian Underpass. Regional Road 57 (Martin Road) Bowmanville. RA('K(: POT TNT) At the January 20, 1981, Meeting of the Public Works Committee, Resolution # W -22 -81 was passed as follows: "THAT Repot WV-9-81 keeative to the pedmtAian undenpa,64, Regionat Road 57 (MaAt(.n Road) be .tab.ted to the next meeting bon a SuA,thuL aepmt, .taking into considnation a tetten 6)Lom the DuAham Region Ponce utati.ve to this matteA ". Attached is all supportive data presented on January 20, 1981, together with various Officer's Reports received from Regional Police Headquarters. Concerns expressed in regard to the Underpass date from 1976 and, during the interim, have covered various topics which fall into four main categories, namely, g , y, vandalism, vehicles driving through the 'tunnel', harassment of pedestrians using the tunnel and inadequate illumination of the tunnel. The latter two complaints are somewhat connected as it has been said that improved lighting would alleviate the problems ass- ociated with harassment. In the following report, the concerns will be discussed in detail: 1. Vandalism: In 1977, supposedly "Vandal- proof" lighting fixtures were installed in the tunnel but subsequently they were destroyed, by one means or another. Constant attention to replacements did nothing to solve the matter and, ultimately, it was decided that efforts to maintain a substantial form of illumination in the tunnel were fruitless, as had been demonstrated. V wD -22 -81 (2) Report, continued... 1.... Ultimately new and improved lights were installed at each end of the tunnel which, it was hoped, would meet the requirements of pedestrian users. 2. Vehicles (illegally) using the Tunnel: Again, this has been an ongoing concern and various suggestions and actions have been undertaken to prevent vehicles from entering the tunnel. In an Officer's Report (attached) it is suggested that a barricade be installed at each end of the tunnel in order to decrease the width and thus make it inaccess- ible to any vehicle. A barricade structure could be erected, and would produce the desired effect; however, it should be noted that any such obstruction would have to be removed during the winter months to enable equipment to undertake maintenance operations in the vicinity of the tunnel. 3. Harassment of Pedestrians: The Officer's Reports do not indicate any incidents of harassment, despite checking the situation (out of sight of users of the tunnel) on several occasions. The consensus of opinion received from the Police seems to be that complaints of harassment are either invalid, of have basis on other concerns, e.g., fear of the darkness of the tunnel. 4. Illumination of the Pedestrian Underpass: This topic seems to be the main area of concern, and constructive comments from the Police should be taken into account. It is noted that the light at the west end of the tunnel casts a beam approximately 12.5 metres into same; the light at the east end is situated approximately 16.5metres from the tunnel, shines into the structure for a distance of some 5.0 metres and the beam is partially obstructed by a fence which was erected by the property owner of No. 15 Rosalynne Avenue in the adjoining subdivision. WD -22 -81 (3) 4... It is recommended, by the Police, that relocation of the lights presently situated at each end of the tunnel would vastly improve the situation. An approximation of costs involved to implement the suggestion to relocate the lights would be in the area of $1,000. 00 for the two. It should be noted that, as yet, there is no such allowance for this contingency in the 1981 Budget. RECOMMENDATION: 1. THAT consideration be given to erecting a barricade at each end of the Pedestrian Underpass, Regional Road 57, from May to late- November of each year, to prevent vehicular traffic from using the tunnel, and, 2. THAT consideration, during Budget discussions, be given to relocating the lights presently situated at either end of the Pedestrian Underpass. JON M. JENKINS CHIEF OF POLICE TIIOMAS CHAMBERS DEPUTY CHIEF ADMINISTRATION BRANCH Durham Regional Police Force JX YOUNG DEPUT Y CHIEF OPERATIONS BRANCH 1981 01 14 Ms. Gertrude E. Gray Deputy Clerk /Committee Secretary Corporation of the Town of Newcastle' ' 40 Temperance Street Bowmanville, Ontario L1C 3A6 Dear Madam: Re: Tunnel under Martin Road Your File: - Our File:- 77 CENTRE ST. NORTH OSHAWA, ONTARIO L1G 4B7 Oshawa (416) 579 -1520 Toronto (416) 367 -0478 With reference to your correspondence received on 1980 12 23 regarding a petition received by your Council, I en- close copies of reports as submitted by Officers of this Depart- ment who work out of 16 Division, Bowmanville. I trust they may be of some assistance to the Council'of the Town of Newcastle. Please advise if we can be of any further assistance. Assuring you of our co- operation in matters of mutual concern. Yours truly, I( . K. Dep�0 ief of Police GR /cat encl. j NtiV� GPS�`� ADDRESS ALL CORRESPONDENCE TO THE CHIEF OF POLIC �� RFC, 'o o �" n . 01 DL ham Regional Police Fd .:e 1900 TIME: . . . . . . . . DATE: OFFICER'S REPORT i January 11 81 19,.,,, IN THE MATTER OF Pedestrian Footpath and Tunnel Adjoining; Alonna St. and 0 Rosalynne Ave. Superintendent G. Robinson Sir: On Sunday, 1981 01 11 at 1820 hrs. I attended at the above tunnel, which runs east and west beneath Durham Region Rd, 57. This path is in constant use by pedestrians as it is the only reasonable route to fac- ilities such as plazas and schools for people living west of Durham Region Rd. 57. The tunnel is constructed of galvanized steel and measures 1.9m high, 3.6m wide and 19.Om long. The footpath is asphalt. There are light standards, each about 5.Om, high, casting bright beams, to the east and the west ends of the tunnel. The light to the west is 21.5m from the west end and is situated on the north side of the footpath. The beam of light cast by this sturcture extends 12.5m into the tunnel. The light to the east is i situated 16.5m east of the tunnel, on the south side of the footpath. The beam from this light is less effective in the tunnel than that of the light from the west. The light is of positioned so that it shines directly it.; the tunnel. Also, Ave. substantially a recently erected wooden backyard obstructs the limited amount of light fence at which 15 Rosalynne would other- wise pass into the east end of the tunnel. The light which does enter the tunnel from the east, extends into the tunnel for only-5.0m, part o£.which is obstructed by the previously mentioned fence. The fence at 15 Rosalynne Ave. is situated on the south side of the footpath, immediately beside the light. P.0 SERGEANT DRI' 17 Rev. /230 NO, Ip", ilb LIC� IN THE MATTER OF D(,, ham Regional Police F :e TIME: . . . . . . . . . . . DATE: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19. . . . . OFFICER'S REPORT If the light to the east wan to be moved from the south side of the footpath to the north side,. both problems could be minimized, if not eliminated. The light would shine directly into the east end of the tunnel and the fence at 15 Rosalynne Ave. would no longer be an obstruction. The only other way of improving the positions of the present lights would be to lower them by no more than 1.0m. This would increase the amount of light entering from both endU; while still keeping the lights from within the reach of vandals. Obviously, the best lighting would be that mounted inside the tunnel. Previous experience, however, has proven that vandals will stop at nothing to destroy any lighting within the tunnel. The total lack of occurrences, relating to threats to perConal safe t y, connected with this tunnel after dark would indicate that only the above improvements are justified at this time. The expense and aggravation of trying to maintain a constantly lighted interior could not be explained by producing evidence of threats or violence. I live in the area and use the tunnel very often. I have heard concern expressed by neighbours, none of which has been based on anything other than fear of darkness. Re,-,pectfully ;ut)mitted, P.c L. F. wood No: 250 SERGEANT J. Bird NO 512 DRI' 17 Rev. /HO .. _ ti149 �,�+;uSjAt'f4N1�e a� ZP� A�C'o • z 'gCUC� U -, -ham Regional Police R ce TIME: ,1430hrs. . DATE; January 11 t9. $1 OFFICER'S REPORT IN THE MATTER OF Tunnel under Regional Rd. # 57 , Bowmanville. Chief of Police: A Sint. G. Robinson: Sir: At 1330 hrs, Sunday, January 11181 the writer went to the tunnel under Regional Rd. # 57 between Roser and Rosselynn Blvd., Bowmaniille. There are two lights, one on each side of the tunnel and about 40 feet back from the tunnel. These are the street light type light on a pole. I£ the light on the north side:of the tunnel was moved to the west side of the path then a spotlight could be mounted on each of the poles to shine down towards the tunnel. The foot path which is about 10 feet wide should have a vehicle barricade erected on each side to stop any attempt by driver of small vehicles attempting to drive through the tunnel. For your information, Respectfully, John Bird Sgt 512° 16 Division. P.C- NO: SERGEANT DRI' 17 Rev. /80 NO. P �O 111- f 'gOILIC� LL-ham Regional Police FL ce TIME: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . DATE J;Ilirjrf. OFFICER'S REPORT IN THE MATTER of Tunnel under Regional Rd # 57 between Roser and Rosselyn Blvd Bowmanville. Chief of Police: Att; Supt. Gerald Robinson: Sir: Attached are officers reports from Det. R. Parker # 513 and P.C. Larry Wood # 250 with regards to the "Tunnel" under Regional Rd. No 57 between Roser and Rosselynn Blvd. P_,_ J. Bell # 329 is the only officer I have talked to who has had _a complaint regarding the 1' Tunnel It. P.C. Bell had a call to the tunnel about two years ago regarding the lights being dammed by a vehicle attempting to drive through the tunnel. P.C. D. Anderson, Community Services, has not had a complaint directed to him but has heard talk from some citizens that something is liable to happen. The writer does not recall a complaint regarding the tunnel. Respectfully submitted, C � J hn Bird Sgt. 512 16 Division P.C- NO: SERGEANT DRI' 17 Rev, /80 .� 1~ 1� O J G Durham Regional Police Foi*ce i T,ME: Jan•..10 /$1 DATE: . ............. . 16..... OFFICER'S REPORT IN THE MATTER OFRequest from Sgt. J. Bird -re: info on Tunnel Under Durham Rd. 57 between Roser Cres. & Rosselynn Blvd. Bowrpanville . The Youth Bureau has received one complaint during 10$0 regarding this tunne & this was more a request for assistance from the Princ. of Waverle.y Rd. Public School Mr. Ray Simser, by word of mouth from P.C. Don Anderson ,Sept. 9/$0 When contacted Mr. Simser,said he had a small child report to him that she F In rout, had been bothered by older children while walking home from school the annel,but he stated he wasn't sure the complaint was valid,but thought that if we checked the tunel::. a few nights after school it would put an end to any problem that might get started. The writer spoke to Mr. Art Bronson Princ. of St.Stephen's R.C. School & asked that he inform his students to go right home after school and not to play around the tunnel. Mr. Bronson, said he would send out a form letter to the parents to advise them of this. The wrier checked the tunnel for several nights after school and didn't see any problems,& while checking was out ofsight to students walking through the tunnel. There wasn't any pushing or shoving or any other problems. Mr. Simser,has not contacted this office regarding the above since this time,nor has there been any other person complain. At the time of the above Mrs. Barraball,of Block Parents (Co- Ordinator) was contacted by the writer & Mr. Simser, she said she would inform the parents in the area to watch for trouble at the next Block Parnet meeting. D.R.P5vrke� Det. 513 P.C- Q� �� NO: SERGEANT NO. c TOWN OF NEWCASTLE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT Director's Report to Public Works Committee of January 20, 1981. ITEM: WD -9 -81. DATE: January 9, 1981. SUBJECT: Pedestrian Underpass - Regional Road 57 (Martin Road). BACKGROUND: On December 15, 1980, Council adopted Resolution # F- 277 -80 of the Finance & Administration Committee, as follows: " THAT the matters o4 the pubtem o6 the MaAti,n Road Tunnet be n.e6med to the Pubti.e Wonhs Commit-tee and that copied o6 the eok4upondenee be sent to the Regional Pat ice Depan tment ". On October 6, 1980, Council adopted Resolution # W- 236 -80 of the Public Works Committee, as follows: " THAT the ucommenda.tton in Repm t WD- 116 -80 be endo4z ed and no gunth.en action be -taken netati.ve to the pede- StAian undeApass, Reg-ionae Road 57, Bowmanv.i Ue Heights". REPORT: As stated in Report No. WD- 116 -80 (attached, together with all background data) this matter has been of ongoing concern for several years. With regard to item (b) of the Petition to Council improved light fixtures were installed in the tunnel in late 1977; it has been our experience, however, that any installations in, or attempts to improve the conditions of, the tunnel have not helped curb the vandalism to which the facility is subjected. RECOMMENDATION: THAT the request for a crossing guard for the pedestrian under- pass, Martin Road (Regional Road 57) be referred to the Town Clerk for a report and recommendation to the Finance & Admin- istration Committee and, further, that previous action taken by the Public Works Committee and adopted by Council be upheld.