ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT

Date: March 8, 1999

Author/Local: E.C.Batty/7319

RTS No. 00594
CC File No. 5753

Council: 23 March 1999

TO:	Vancouver City Council
FROM:	General Manager of Engineering Services
SUBJECT:	Reconstruction of Victoria Drive and Argyle Street from SE Marine Drive to North Kent Avenue

RECOMMENDATION

A. THAT the existing strip pavement on Victoria Drive from SE Marine Drive to North Kent Avenue be reconstructed at a width of 10 metres at an estimated cost of $130,000, with funding to be provided from Streets Basic Capital Unappropriated SAP Order 30000034 ($130,000).

B. THAT the existing strip pavement on Argyle Street from SE Marine Drive to North Kent Avenue be reconstructed at a width of 10 metres at an estimated cost of $140,000, with funding to be provided from Streets Basic Capital Unappropriated SAP Order 30000034 ($140,000).

COUNCIL POLICY

A program for the improvement of Arterial and Collector strip pavements in poor condition was approved as part of the 1998 Capital Budget .

PURPOSE

The purpose of this report is to obtain Council approval for the reconstruction of the existing poor condition strip pavements on Victoria Drive and Argyle Street from SE Marine Drive to North Kent Avenue.

BACKGROUND

Victoria Drive and Argyle Street from SE Marine Drive to North Kent Avenue provide vehicular access to the industrial and residential developments along the north side of the Fraser River in this area. Both of the streets have older strip pavements which are in very poor condition and patching is no longer effective. Numerous complaints have been received about the condition of these street sections and significant improvement is required. The Victoria Drive section was Initiated for improvement through the Local Improvement process in 1994 but was defeated by the abutting owners. As noted above, there have been many complaints since then about its condition and the action described below should now be able to deal with the situation.

DISCUSSION

Two pavement improvement options have been considered:

1. Curbing and Pavement

This option would see these sections of Victoria Drive and Argyle Street upgraded with concrete curbing and 11 metre and 12 metre wide pavements respectively.

The abutting property owners were balloted to determine their support for this proposal which would involve curbing and new pavement with cost-sharing as a Local Improvement.

The property owners abutting Victoria Drive were not supportive. Of the 29 total abutting owners involved, 5 were owned by the City of Vancouver. Of the 24 non-City owned properties, 13 responses were received, and of these 10 were opposed.

The property owners on Argyle Street were not supportive. Of the 10 total abutting owners involved, 2 were owned by the City of Vancouver. Of the 8 non-City owned properties, 5 responses were received, and of these 4 were opposed.

Therefore, this option is not being recommended.

2. Reconstructing the Existing Strip Pavement

Reconstructing the existing strip pavement, to a width of 10 metres, will deal with the rideability and maintenance issues, and accommodate the existing traffic volumes. The pavement base will be improved to provide long term roadway support. The design would allow for full width pavement with concrete curbing in the future if desired. The 10 metre width accommodates one vehicle lane, including bicycles, in each direction.

The estimated cost of the two projects is $270,000, and funding is available from the Streets Basic Capital Unappropriated Account set aside for the improvement of aging uncurbed Arterial and Collector streets (SAP Order 30000034- $270,000). The full cost of these improvements would be funded by the City. There is little local benefit as no concrete curbs or paved parking lane would be provided.

CONCLUSION

The existing asphalt strip pavements on Victoria Drive and Argyle Street from SE Marine Drive to North Kent Avenue are in poor condition and in need of improvement. The installation of a full width pavement with concrete curbing is not supported by the adjacent property owners. Therefore, it is recommended that the existing strip pavements be reconstructed to a width of 10 metres which will accommodate one lane of vehicular traffic and bicycles, in each direction.

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(c) 1998 City of Vancouver