The Corporation of the Township of Huron-Kinloss
Staff Report
Report Title: Transportation March 2022
Prepared By: John Yungblut, C.E.T., Director of Public Works
Department: Public Works
Date: Mar. 7, 2022
Report Number: PW-2022-03-22
File Number: T06 VIC 21, T05 RIP 21
Attachments:
Pre-Construction Photo,
Post Construction Photo,
PW2021-06-39,
Ditch Photo 1,
Ditch Photo 2,
Ripley SW Map
Recommendation:
THAT the Township of Huron-Kinloss Committee of the Whole hereby receives for information, Report Number PW-2022-03-22, prepared by John Yungblut, Director of Public Works.
Background:
Ripley Southwest Street Reconstruction
Since 2019, Township staff have been working on preliminary designs for the reconstruction of several streets in the southwest are of Ripley including Park St., James St., McGill St., Gladstone St. and Tain St. The original focus for this project was to replace the existing cast iron watermains that were installed in 1947 but has evolved to include other upgrades.
Victoria Road Flooding
In March 2021, Victoria Road in Point Clark experienced significant surface flooding, which required Public Works to bring in submersible pumps to resolve the situation. Staff report PW2021-06-39 was brought forward on June 7, 2021, to inform Council of the details of this incident and the findings of our investigation into the cause of the flooding.
The report also outlines several options that were considered to prevent the incident from reoccurring and an explanation of why an open ditch was constructed along the east side of Victoria Road. Photos of the finished ditch are also attached to this report, which were taken before grass seed had been applied to the disturbed area.
On May 4, 2021, Township staff sent a letter to landowners in the area informing them of the work the Township was undertaking to investigate the source of the surface flooding.
Discussion:
Ripley Southwest Street Reconstruction
After Township staff reviewed the existing drainage situation in this area, it was determined that upgrades to storm sewer infrastructure would be an important component to this project. During this process it became clear that upgrading these streets to an urban street design would be feasible and would enhance the functionality of these streets to provide adequate drainage, parking and accessibility.
An urban design includes concrete curb and gutter, an asphalt pavement width that allows for on street parking and sidewalks that are at least 1.5m (5 ft) wide. To better illustrate this design approach, a photo of Tain St. and a photo of a recently reconstructed street to an urban design in the Town of Goderich are attached to this report. This is the preferred street design in the urban areas of Ripley and Lucknow whenever possible. An aerial photo of the entire area included in the project with the proposed road and sidewalk design is also attached to this report.
The main negative impact of these types of projects is the removal of some mature trees to allow for the installation of accessible sidewalks and the widening of the existing roadway by approximately 3m (10 ft). Another concern is that we have found in previous road reconstruction projects that some trees that were not removed during construction began declining soon after the project being completed. Township staff plan to address these issues by implementing the following measures:
- Engage the services of a certified arborist to inspect every tree that may be impacted by this project and provide Township staff with recommendations of whether the tree should be removed or protected during construction.
- Require the contractor to implement tree protection measures during construction such as temporary fencing around certain trees to prevent excavations from severely damaging their root systems.
- At least one tree will be planted to replace each tree that has to be removed during construction. While these trees will not be as large as some of the trees that will be removed, they will be mature trees and not saplings.
The current timeline for this project is to replace the trunk storm sewer in 2022 and reconstruct the streets in this area over at least a three year period from 2024-2026, subject to budget approval.
In the meantime, Township staff are planning to distribute letters to residents in this area to inform them of the scope of this project and request feedback that will be considered during the design process. We will be also using our public engagement website to provide further details throughout the design process and we are expecting to host a public open house prior to the first phase of street reconstruction to discuss the project with residents in detail.
Victoria Road Flooding
Once the report was made available to the public, Township staff directed any residents with inquiries about this incident to the Township website or provided a copy of the report. Staff have spoken to Ms. Pfeiffer on several occasions about this incident and the work that was done to prevent it from happening in the future and she has been provided with a copy of the staff report.
Without sufficient knowledge of the storm drains that exist on private property, it is impossible for Township staff to provide any guarantees that this type of flooding will not reoccur in the area. However, by diverting the significant surface flow from the wooded property east of Victoria Road, we believe that we have taken all reasonable measures to mitigate the risk of a similar flooding incident for happening in the near future.
Township staff deem the existing drain along the west side of Victoria Road to be a private system that is the responsibility of each individual property owner to maintain. No further actions are planned by the Township to salvage the abandoned section of storm drain that extends north of the blockage at #789. This information was also communicated to Ms. Pfeiffer and other property owners that contacted the Township office about this incident.
Financial Impacts:
No financial implications are associated with this report.
Strategic Alignment / Link:
We are an accessible community that offers opportunities for everyone by having amenities and services nearby and being open and transparent.
Respectfully Submitted By:
John Yungblut, Director of Public Works
Approved By:
Mary Rose Walden, Chief Administrative Officer
Transportation March 2022 - PW-2022-03-22.pdf (230.3 KB) 
