Review of need for grade separations five locations - statement of work

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Review of Need for Grade-Separations
Five Locations
Statement of Work
Background:
On the morning of September 18, 2013, a VIA rail train and an OC Transpo
double-decker bus collided at the Transitway rail crossing just north of the
Fallowfield transit station. Six people sustained fatal injuries from the accident.
On December 2, 2015, the Transportation Safety Board made a series of
recommendations following its investigation into the accident, one of which is as
follows:
 TSB Recommendation R15-05: The Board recommends that the City of
Ottawa reconsider the need for grade separation at the Woodroffe Avenue,
Transitway and Fallowfield Road level crossings.
In the Barrhaven portion of the VIA Rail Smiths Falls Subdivision there exist
seven level crossings (Figure 1):
 Merivale Road (Mile 1.63)
 Woodroffe Avenue (Mile 3.28)
 Southwest Transitway (3.30)
 Fallowfield Road (Mile 3.88)
 Greenbank Road (Mile 5.1)
 Jockvale Road (Mile 5.73)
 Strandherd Drive (Mile 6.81)

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Figure 1: At-Grade Crossing Locations
Of these seven level crossings, construction is underway at Greenbank Road for
a grade separation and along Strandherd Drive design has partially been
completed for a grade separation which is identified in the City’s Transportation
Master Plan (TMP) and tentatively planned to be constructed between 2020 and
2025. Therefore the focus of this study will be on the remaining five locations,
none of which are slated for modifications prior to 2031 as per the TMP roads
growth program.
Environmental Assessments have been completed at four of the five locations,
the exception being Jockvale Road.
A detailed safety assessment was completed on behalf of VIA Rail Canada and
the City of Ottawa in 2014. The report, entitled “Detailed Safety Assessment
Report” and dated December 2014, is available and shall serve as a background
document for this assignment.

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Scope of Assignment:
Study Budget: $250K
Duration of Study: 10 months from award of contract to a consulting engineering
firm to undertake the work.
Objectives:
 To address the TSB’s recommendation regarding grade separation
 To review grade separation scenarios at Merivale and Jockvale Roads
Tasks:
(1) Information Review and Analysis
 Review and compile information for each of these crossing based on
previous City studies including EAs and preliminary design work, National
Capital Commission Greenbelt Master Plan, VIA safety audits, the TSB
report, and current and future VIA Rail service plans
 Where EAs exist summarize what were the identified issues, impacts,
benefits and risks associated with underpasses and overpasses at each
location. For Jockvale (where no EA exists), make best efforts to identify
issues, impacts, benefits and risks for underpass and overpass options.
 Research best practices and legislations in North America regarding
railway-roadway crossings to understand the triggers used to decide to
provide for grade separated crossings. Create a framework for such
triggers that could be used here in Ottawa. Identify what are the possible
applicable outcomes from current CTA rules and policies.
(2) Traffic Analysis
 Using updated City and VIA traffic data, assess the cross-product and
occupant product at each location. This is to include a presentation of
similarly produced analysis from the past (e.g. last 15 years) and new
projections for the future (e.g. next 15 years).
 Incorporate as part of this traffic analysis a review component that
examines the safety of all who cross at these locations including walking,
cycling, transit, automobile and truck
(3) Geotechnical Analysis
 Gather available geotechnical information
 If borehole and geotechnical information is lacking, particularly for the
Jockvale location, identify the need for such. [This additional field work
would be done by a separate party outside this study budget.]

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 Identify and assess geotechnical issues that may be of concern for the
construction of grade-separations at the five locations.
(4) Grade-Separation Analysis
 Based on the research, information collected and analysis done for tasks
1, 2 and 3, review and reconfirm the previous recommended grade
separation options for the four locations
 For the Jockvale location, develop a conceptual grade separation
 Identify and reconfirm costing estimates (include all planning and design
efforts, property requirements, mitigation, traffic management, detouring
requirements, and appropriate contingencies) for these grade crossing
projects. The estimates shall allow the authorities to seek funding
assistance from senior levels of government.
(5) At-Grade Option
 Identify if there are any additional measures that might be done to improve
safety in the current condition.
(6) Go Forward Plan
 Identify the next steps for the City to move forward with grade-separations,
including any additional studies to address legislative requirements.
(7) Documentation/Deliverables
Monthly progress report identifying work performed, next month anticipated work,
any issue pending, updated schedule.
Draft and Final Study Reports will be prepared to document the entire study
process including the recommended option plans, costing, implementation and
staging plan, and commitments to future action, including external approvals
known to be required.
The Consultant shall assist the City Project Manager in the preparation of a Staff
report and a Microsoft PowerPoint presentation to relevant City Standing
Committees at the completion of the study.
The report shall be formatted in accordance with City guidelines and accessibility
policies.

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The deliverables for this study include:
 Draft and Final Study Report;
 Project Recommended Plan incorporating concept design drawings of the
preferred design, and other information as identified elsewhere in this
document;
 Project Cost Estimate Report that will allow authorities to seek funding
assistance from senior levels of government for the grade- separated
crossings;
 Geotechnical Analysis Report;
 Maps for recommended cycling and pedestrian facilities shall identify tie-in
to existing and/or possible future network connections. Digital version of
all maps and plans must be in appropriate format conforming to City
CADD and GeoOttawa standards;
The Consultant will be responsible for preparing and distributing the agenda for
any meetings in connection with this Study at least two days before the meeting
date and prepare and distribute minutes of meetings within one week after the
meeting date.
All documentation produced during the course of the Study will be available to
the City both in hard copy and digital formats. Digital copies of written material
will be in MS Word and pdf format. Plans and maps for incorporation into the
Report and Study notices will be provided in jpg and/or pdf format. Conceptual/
functional design drawings will be provided in MicroStation dgn format in
accordance with City CADD standards. All final documents, including the
Draft/Final Report, will also be provided on CD in pdf format.
The Consultant will provide six hard copies and CD digital versions of draft
document, and six hard copies and CD digital versions of Final document.
All relevant background material referenced during the study shall be listed in a
bibliography to be included in the final report.
(8) Consultation/Meetings
The City’s and VIA’s designated Project Managers will provide direction and day-
to-day administration and management for the study. Project Management
meetings with the Consultant Project Manager/Director will be held on an as
required basis.
A Study team comprised of the City, VIA Rail and Consultant Project Managers
and key City and Consultant staff will be established at the study outset. Regular
Study team meetings will be held to provide direction on issues and monitor the
progress of the work. The Consultant shall be responsible for preparing and
distributing the Study Team meeting agenda and notes in a timely manner with

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minutes to all meetings distributed within one week after the respective meeting.
At this time no public consultation is envisioned due to the technical nature of the
study. It is however anticipated that the Study Team may seek input from the
National Capital Commission given its immediate ownership of lands to the study
area.