Centre Wellington Township council and residents living on South River Road appeared on Aug. 22 to reach some agreements on road
work that will be taking place there before the end of the year.
Council had to pay a little more than it originally had planned to spend, and residents had to settle for something less than their demands for full bike lanes and a lower speed limit, but in general those attending the special council meeting seemed pleased with the results.
The road project came about when Centre Wellington received an extra provincial grant for over $875,000 to apply to an infrastructure project that was able to be done quickly.
Council chose South River Road, even though it had to top up the grant to $985,000 to pave the road from Braeside Street in Fergus to Bridge Street, in Elora. The extra cash would come from the township’s fund created from hosting the slots facility in Elora.
Some controversy arrived in the form of a number of residents living on and using the road who wanted to see more work done. Specifically, they wanted a lower speed limit and bicycle lanes on the winding road.
Mayor Joanne Ross-Zuj replied to their concerns by stating council would make its decisions only after hearing a report on the road. That was presented at the meeting.
Triton Engineer’s Denis Hollands told to council after the study that it would be very expensive to meet all the demands. The original plan was to pulverize the existing surface, do hot mix paving, with gravel shoulders, some ditching and some drainage improvements.
That would have meant keeping the road at its existing 6.7 metres in width and the existing alignment, except for the intersection of 1st Line, where Hollands proposed a 90-degree intersection as a means of slowing traffic and improving safety.
He also recommended surface drainage improvements, and improvements to a Nichol drain as a means of stopping erosion problems. As well, Hollands recommended some grade improvements where a trail crosses the road at the old railway bridge, to provide better visibility for drivers and trail users.
But when it came to bike lanes, Hollands stated in his report that it would not be feasible under the budget that council was proposing. He said the current road offers two lanes of traffic for vehicles.
“The Ministry of Transportation Ontario Geometric Design Guide for Canadian Roads recommends 1.5 metres minimum width for a bicycle lane. The Ministry of Transportation Ontario Geometric Design Standards require lane widths for vehicles to be a minimum of 3.25 metres.”
Hollands said in his report to accommodate the road and bicycle lanes would require an overall width of “two vehicular lanes of 3.25 metres, painted white lines of 100mm each and two bicycle lanes of 1.5 metres each resulting in an overall width of 9.7 metres. This is not achievable on the existing roadway.”
He said in order to meet that width, the township would have to complete the following:
– a legal survey;
– possible land acquisition;
– realignment of the road;
– tree clearing;
– excavation and put down a granular base;
– cable guide rail relocation;
– ditch relocation;
– culvert extensions;
– retaining walls;
– utility pole relocation; and
– mailbox relocation.
Hollands said the estimate for that work alone would be over $1-million.
He offered an alternative, though. He suggested the proposed gravel shoulders be paved as part of the road.
He said those shoulders will vary in width throughout the length of the road from about a half metre to 1.2-metres, neither of which meet the minimum standard.
He added that white painted lines should also be installed to delineate the vehicular separation from the paved shoulder.
“This would certainly reduce maintenance costs in the future and provide an area for both bicycles and pedestrians to use although they are not at the standard width,” Hollands wrote in his report.
He added that work was not included in his estimate, and would add another $200,000 to the project’s costs.
Hollands said he had discussed traffic calming measures with the roads department and was recommending installing two permanent flashing signs that would show the speed of oncoming vehicles. Those would be placed one in each direction at strategic places along the road.
Councillor Kirk McElwain asked why add the signs.
Hollands said as an alternative to lowering the speed limit.
McElwain said speed limits are 50km/hour in most hamlets, so why not on that road.
Hollands argued that if drivers are failing to drive the current 60 limit, they are unlikely to drive at 50.
“You can change the speed limit,” Hollands added.
Councillor Bob Foster asked about the dimensions of the paved shoulders.
Hollands said a fairly substantial portion of the road would have paved shoulders of only half a metre, or 19 inches. He said that there is a “fairly substantial” portion of the road that is narrow, particularly at the Fergus end.
McElwain said that is the width of biking lanes on County Road 21, and it is “not bad if the speed limit is lowered.
Hollands said it is easier to drive on pavement as opposed to gravel.
Public Works Director Ken Elder told council, “We’re looking at a standard asphalt design.”
He added the township could consider a different asphalt standard, but “it would shorten the life of that road by a couple of years.”
He said there is cash for maintaining the signs and for line painting. He said, to much laughter, that if council wants to use some of next year’s budget, it could get it – “preferably out of parks.”
Hollands noted asphalt costs have been fluctuating, mainly rising, and the construction proposal has already reduced the road from 90mm to 70 (about four inches to three). He said there is an advantage to extending the asphalt to the shoulders because it will reduce maintenance costs over time.
Elder pointed out that South River Road was originally a three year project that was recommended ahead of nearly 30 other roads that can use some work. He noted the middle section was not due for replacement until 2018 and 2020.
But, he said, “We looked at what was the best for our community, where to get the best bang for the buck – so we proposed South River Road.
Foster asked if there is any risk to the township in paving the shoulders.
Councillor Shawn Watters said there are no lines or bike lanes currently, and people are taking risks by using the road.
Foster said the standard bike lane is 1.5metres wide, and wondered if council is encouraging people to take risks by using a narrower shoulder.
Councillor Walt Visser said that cyclists already drive almost everywhere, regardless of risk, including on highways with no lanes or paved shoulders, and heavy traffic.
He argued that with all the costs, the council was considering about $71,000 more than it had planned to spend, and wondered what the cost of asphalt would be by September if council holds off.
Hollands said if the project is delayed more, it will be unlikely the work can be done by the end of the year.
Councillor Fred Morris noted cutting the pavement to three inches might improved some driveway grading problems. “There are some costs. We’re hoping they don’t come in high,” he said.
Ross-Zuj asked if the proposal is “close enough for paved shoulders.”
Elder said he is not, but the township treasurer might be.
Wes Snarr replied, “We are very close. We many not need the contingency.”
He added the township has a capital reserves fund that covers project overruns. He suggested using that, and if it is not needed, it can be returned. He added there is $393,000 in that fund.
Morris suggested that is close enough, and then asked to consider the speed limit.
Elder said to first do the road, then consider the speed limit. He said once it is done, the township can approach the OPP about enforcement.
Morris said OPP speeding enforcement is spotty in urban areas, and “You’re never going to get a Speeder of the Week on South River Road.”
He suggested dropping the speed limit. He noted it is 50km/hour on County Road 7 by the Elora cemetery, and said, “I think that speed limit should drop. Why are we protecting cemeteries.”
Council then approved a project with paved shoulders at a total cost of $1.056-million, which included the signs, and $71,000 from reserves.
The vote was unanimous, and some in the gallery applauded.
When the mayor asked for comments from the gallery, South River Road resident Peter Quinn said he has never seen the OPP on the road, and he has walked it nearly every day for the ten years he has lived there. He said he used to bike it, but was tired of being forced off the road.
“That’s a crummy road – even when it’s paved,” he said, adding, “I argue for a lower speed limit.” He said residents would have liked a bigger project but would be realistic that the township could not afford up to $4-million to do all the residents wanted done.
“I think everybody on South River Road is reasonable,” he said, but added, “I wouldn’t push a baby stroller on that road – unless I was very angry at that child.
Burna Wilton, who also lives on the road, offered council “a heartfelt thank-you. Council has worked very hard on this issue.”
