SUPPORTS ITEM NO. 2
T&T COMMITTEE AGENDA
JULY 29, 1997
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT
Date: July 11, 1997
Dept. File No.: 3153
CC File No.: 5767
TO: Standing Committee on Transportation and Traffic
FROM: General Manager of Engineering Services and Director of
Community Planning, in consultation with the Director of
Finance
SUBJECT: Ridgeway Greenway - Knight Street to Victoria Drive
RECOMMENDATION
A. THAT the Ridgeway Greenway extension from Knight Street to
Victoria Drive be constructed as described in this report;
B. THAT funding of $170,000 be allocated from Streets Basic
Capital Unappropriated Account No. 12/31/6906/999 (City
Greenways) for construction of the Ridgeway Greenway between
Knight Street and Victoria Drive; and
C. THAT the Streets Basic Operating Budget be increased by $1,000
without offset, for the maintenance of the medians proposed in
this report, starting in 1998.
COUNCIL POLICY
On July 18, 1995, Council approved the Vancouver Greenways Plan,
including construction of the Ridgeway on 37th Avenue between Granville
and Knight Streets as the City Greenway pilot project.
On June 27, 1996, Council approved the design of the Ridgeway pilot
project.
On May 27, 1997, Council approved the Vancouver Transportation Plan that
identifies the Ridgeway as a priority bikeway.
SUMMARY
In July, 1995, Council approved the Vancouver Greenways Plan, including
construction of the Ridgeway on 37th Avenue between Granville and Knight
Streets as the City Greenway pilot project. This pilot project is now
substantially complete, and staff have begun working to complete the
remainder of the Ridgeway from Pacific Spirit Park to Central Park in
Burnaby. An extension of the Ridgeway pilot project from Knight Street
to Victoria Drive has been designed in consultation with the community
to complement the Provincially cost-shared Bikeways construction.
Public review of the proposed design of this Ridgeway extension occurred
through an Open House held June 17, 1997, at the Kensington Community
Centre and a subsequent survey. Most residents who attended the Open
House supported the Greenway proposal. The results of the survey also
indicated strong support.
PURPOSE
The purpose of this report is to seek Council approval for the funding
and construction of the Ridgeway Greenway east from Knight Street to
Victoria Drive. A separate report addressing the broader issue of the
bikeway from Pacific Spirit Park to Central Park in Burnaby will be
presented to the Standing Committee on Transportation and Traffic on
July 29, 1997. Items of this report have been fully coordinated with
Bikeways staff to enhance the bike route and to complement Provincially
cost-shared Bikeway construction.
BACKGROUND
In July, 1995, Council approved the Vancouver Greenways Plan - a
proposed network of 14 City Greenway and Public Way routes joining
important city-wide destinations. It also designated the Ridgeway on
37th Avenue between Granville and Knight Streets as the City Greenway
pilot project. The design of the pilot project was developed through
extensive consultation with residents and approved for construction by
Council in June, 1996. This project is now substantially complete and
staff have begun work to complete the remainder of the Ridgeway
Greenway. Ultimately, the Ridgeway will provide a continuous greenway
connection between Pacific Spirit Park and Central Park in Burnaby.
DISCUSSION
The purpose of Greenways is to enhance pedestrian and cyclist activity
in the city. The Ridgeway pilot project and the proposed extension east
to Victoria Drive seek to accomplish this goal by: making walking more
interesting; making cycling safer and more convenient; reducing the
impact of the car; enhancing the special places along the route; making
the greenway greener; and using art to make the route more pleasant and
interesting.
The Ridgeway between Knight Street and Victoria Drive will be the next
section of the Ridgeway to be constructed. Construction of this section
seizes an opportunity to complement Provincially cost-shared Bike route
construction, scheduled for completion in September, 1997. Public
consultation and design development for the remaining Ridgeway route
will begin this fall for construction in 1998.
1. Design
The Ridgeway route location, and proposed greenway/bikeway features are
shown in Appendix A. This section of the Ridgeway is also a segment of
the Ridgeway/37th/29th Avenue Bicycle Route. Design development was
extensively coordinated with Bikeways to maximize objectives and funding
of both programs. There are a variety of options for the
greenway/bikeway to connect from Commercial Street at 37th Avenue to the
intersection of Victoria Drive and 38th Avenue. Most of these options
involve Jones Park. Greenways and Park Board staff are meeting to find
the optimum solution to routing the Ridgeway near, along and/or through
Jones Park.
The main features of the Ridgeway extension are:
Landscaped median and curb bulges on 37th Avenue east of Knight
Street - These features will narrow the road to slow traffic but
will not hinder any turning movements at the intersection.
Approximately four on-street parking spaces will be eliminated as a
result of this road narrowing.
Four landscaped corner bulges at the intersection of 37th Avenue
and Dumfries Street - These corner bulges will slow traffic, reduce
the road crossing distance for pedestrians, increase visibility
thereby increasing the safety of Tecumseh School students and
Kensington Community Centre users.
Corner bulge at 37th Avenue and Fleming Street - A corner bulge
will be constructed on the southwest corner of this intersection to
bring both sides of 37th Avenue into alignment and provide a safer
crossing for pedestrians.
There are a range of options for routing the Ridgeway from
Commercial Street and 37th to the intersection of Victoria Drive
and 38th Avenue. The on-street option would see the route continue
along 37th to the T intersection at Victoria and south on
Victoria to 38th Avenue. The in-park option would see the Ridgeway
turn south on Commercial Street from 37th Avenue to the lane to the
south (at the north-west corner of Jones Park) and enter Jones Park
from the lane, continue on a combined pedestrian and cyclist
asphalt path along the north side of Jones Park, between the row of
Sequoia trees and the soccer field, and emerge from the park at the
intersection of Victoria and 38th Avenue. (The public were
surveyed on this latter option as the suggestion to run the
Ridgeway through Jones Park originated from the Bikeway survey
responses.) There are a number of options in between that would
use the street and/or lanes and the park to differing degrees.
However, each option would require lighting improvements, and
corner bulges to slow traffic, provide pedestrians with safer
crossing distances and indicate directional changes in the route.
The costs for all options are of a similar magnitude although the
funds would be allocated differently for each.
Intersection bulge and traffic signal at Victoria Drive and 38th
Avenue. A bulge along the west side of Victoria Drive at 38th
Avenue is proposed to provide pedestrians and cyclists with shorter
crossing distances at the new pedestrian and cyclist actuated
traffic signal. Funding for the pedestrian signal will be provided
through Bikeways with Provincial cost sharing. Following a trial
of bus bulges, this bulge could be extended south in the future to
create a new bus bulge and stop. Benches for people to sit and
watch the activities in the park and additional pedestrian lighting
will be provided.
Funding for two pole art sculptures has already been approved, and
the works commissioned, for the intersection of Victoria Drive and
38th Avenue.
Landscaped median on 38th Avenue east of Victoria Drive - This
feature will narrow the road to slow traffic but will not hinder
any turning movements at the intersection.
Street tree in-fill - Additional street trees will be planted where
required, to be funded through the Street Tree Program.
Curb ramp construction - Curb ramps will be constructed to ensure
accessibility.
2. Public Process
An Open House was held at the Kensington Community Centre on June 17,
1997 to allow public review and commentary on the proposed design. Over
700 invitations to the Open House were delivered to residents between
Knight Street and Gladstone Street, and between 35th and 39th Avenues
(40th Avenue east of Victoria Drive). Eighteen people attended the Open
House. There was general support of the Greenway design although two
residents expressed some concerns about a possible increase in crime.
(Comments submitted are included in Appendix B.)
A survey was conducted in June to determine overall neighbourhood
support for this Greenway project and its individual features, including
those for the route through Jones Park since this option originated in
responses to the Bikeway survey. Of the 720 surveys delivered to
residents in the above noted area, 118 (16%) were returned. The survey
responses indicated strong support for the overall greenway concept (72%
Agree, 11% Neutral and 17% Disagree) and a significant majority in each
case agreed with the individual measures. The strongest support for an
individual component was for the route through Jones Park (76% Agree, 8%
Neutral and 16% Disagree). The complete survey results and additional
written comments are compiled in Appendix B.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPLICATIONS
Extending the Ridgeway to Victoria Drive will have positive
environmental benefits. It will further the Ridgeway pilot project's
objectives in encouraging walking and cycling, in providing more
greenery, and in continuing the use of drought-tolerant and native
plants.
SOCIAL IMPLICATIONS
This extension of the Ridgeway will add to the social benefits provided
by the Ridgeway pilot project. It will increase opportunities for
passive and active recreation along the route, enhance the Ridgeway
Bikeway, and help to reduce the traffic shortcutting along 37th Avenue.
It will also better link Jones Park, Tecumseh School Annex, and
Kensington Community Centre and Park.
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS
Funding of $170,000 to be allocated from the Streets Basic Capital
Unappropriated Account No. 12/31/6906/999 (City Greenways) is being
requested. A detailed list of the capital costs for the construction of
the Ridgeway Greenway between Knight Street and Victoria Drive is
included as Appendix C. It has already been noted that some of the
improvements are jointly funded between Bikeways and Greenways
maximizing Provincial funds available for bikeway construction through
the Cycling Network Program. The requested funds are required beyond
all other available funds (Bikeways, Province, Public Art, etc.).
Funding for the public art component at 38th Avenue and Victoria Drive
was already approved by Council on June 25, 1997, from the Public Art
Unallocated Budget.
The Streets' operating costs will increase as a result of the additional
maintenance required for the medians. Therefore, the Streets Basic
Operating Budget should be increased by $1,000, without offset.
IMPLEMENTATION PLAN
Greenways and Bikeways will co-ordinate their construction activities to
keep construction costs as economical as possible and minimize
disruption to the neighbourhood. Therefore, construction will begin
immediately upon Council approval as Bikeways must complete their work
by September 30 to qualify for Provincial funding.
CONCLUSION
The Ridgeway pilot project on 37th Avenue between Granville and Knight
Streets is now substantially complete. Upon Council approval,
construction of the first eastern extension to this on-street City
Greenway pilot project can begin immediately to complement Provincially
cost-shared Bikeway construction.
APPENDICES A, B AND C on file in the City Clerk's Office
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