City of Owen Sound 10th Street Physical and Operational Improvements Environmental Assessment Public Information Centre March 22, 2017
Study Purpose As a connecting link for Highways 6 and 21: • 10th Street carries a mix of local and provincial (through) traffic • Traffic congestion can often exist throughout the day The objective of the study is to examine the 10th Street corridor through Owen Sound and provide recommendations to improve traffic flow.
Class EA Process
Existing Conditions 10th Street is operating near its capacity, the capacity constraints include: • The close proximity of signals • Existing development and the inability to widen the road • The absence of left turn lanes • Traffic signal operations at 2nd Avenue East
Existing Traffic • Peak demands are eastbound in AM and westbound in PM • Volumes remain relatively constant through mid-day period
Existing Traffic • The 10th Street Bridge is the critical link • Greatest traffic congestion is in the core area • Close proximity of signals contributes to the congestion
Improvement Alternatives
Alternative 1 Operational and Signal Timing Improvements 1) Eliminate Split Phasing at 10th Street and 2nd Avenue East (Prohibit westbound left turns at the intersection) 2) Adjust signal timings and co-ordination 3) Convert traffic signals to semi-actuated operation
Alternative 1 Operational and Signal Timing Improvements 4) Additional turn restrictions (eastbound left turn at 1st Avenue West) 5) Widen the westbound curb lane crossing the 10th Street Bridge 6) Extend the southbound right turn lane on 2nd Avenue East 7) Extend the northbound left turn lanes on 2nd and 3rd Avenue East
Alternative 2 Diversion of Traffic With provision of a new 1st Avenue East to/from 1st Avenue West structure
Alternative 2 Diversion of Traffic • No access to 10th Street from 1st Avenue E or W would remain • Requires widening of 1st Avenue East • Would be difficult to accommodate truck traffic across the new structure • Would restrict truck access to businesses • Requires measures to address Vehicle- Pedestrian conflicts to maintain sightlines • Effectiveness in reducing traffic volumes on 10th Street is still being evaluated
Alternative 3 Geometric Changes to 10th Street Conversion to a 3-Lane Cross Section • Could create a more pedestrian friendly corridor or allow provisions for cyclists • Left turn lane would allow split phasing at 2nd Avenue East to be removed However: • It would further limit capacity on 10th Street (may become viable in combination with a new crossing of the Sydenham River) • With only one through lane / direction, all through traffic would; - Be delayed by right turning vehicle / pedestrian conflicts - Travel the speed of the slowest vehicle
Alternatives 4a and 4b Conversion to One-Way Couplet Alternative 4a Alternative 4b
Alternatives 4a and 4b Conversion to One-Way Couplet A One-Way Couplet would: Improve westbound traffic flow significantly Result in fewer stops for eastbound traffic ✘ Not improve travel time for eastbound motorists ✘ Impact on-street parking ✘ Affect the ability to close 9th Street for special events ✘ Affect traffic circulation for the Downtown River Precinct
Other Potential Improvements Include construction of turning lanes at: • 8th Avenue West, and • 7th Avenue West
Next Steps • Review the comments received following this meeting • Complete the evaluation of alternatives • Make refinements to the Technically Preferred Solution • Finalize Recommendations • Public presentation of Draft Report to the Operations Committee • Adoption of Recommendations by Council • Issue a Notice of Completion for public review • Implement Recommendations as budget permits
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