Agenda Index City of Vancouver

ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT

TO:

Vancouver City Council

FROM:

Director of Community Planning and General Manager of Engineering Services

SUBJECT:

Ridgeway Greenway - East Extension Route Selection

 

RECOMMENDATION

GENERAL MANAGERS' COMMENTS

COUNCIL POLICY

On July 18, 1995, Council adopted the Vancouver Greenways Plan.

On May 27, 1997, Council approved the Vancouver Transportation Plan.

SUMMARY AND PURPOSE

This report reviews route options and seeks to obtain Council approval for a preferred route of the east extension of the Ridgeway Greenway from Victoria Drive to Central Park in Burnaby. The recommended route is 38th Avenue from Victoria Drive to Nanaimo Street, Nanaimo Street south to 45th Avenue, and 45th Avenue from Nanaimo Street to Boundary Road.

BACKGROUND

In July 1995, Council adopted the Vancouver Greenways Plan. Greenways are "green" routes through the city for pedestrians and cyclists. Fourteen city greenway routes are proposed which cross the city and follow the waterfront linking important destinations such as parks, shopping areas and community centres. On-street greenways are generally located on quiet streets where vehicles and bicycles share the road and pedestrians use the sidewalks. Pedestrian and cyclist safety features, amenities, and traffic calming changes are incorporated into the routes.

The Ridgeway, when complete, will provide a continuous connection between Pacific Spirit Park and Central Park in Burnaby. Construction of the first and second phases of the Ridgeway, from Granville Street to Victoria Drive, is now complete. This report recommends the routing supported by area residents and property owners for the Ridgeway east extension from Victoria Drive.

The Greenways Plan identified the corridor of the eastern section of the Ridgeway between Victoria Drive and Boundary Road as approximately along 38th Avenue, Earles Street and 45th Avenue. The Ridgeway Bikeway was approved on this same alignment in July 1997 and constructed in 1998, including a new traffic signal at 45th Avenue and Boundary Road to allow safe crossing for both pedestrians and cyclists into Burnaby's Central Park. This route is illustrated as Route Option 1.

Route Option 1

Two public meetings were held in the area in June 1998 to initiate consultation on the development of this easternmost section of the Ridgeway. At those meetings, and through subsequent letters and phone calls, some residents expressed concerns about the speed and volume of vehicles along Earles Street in particular. While they acknowledged commuter cyclists appear to be comfortable using this route, they suggested a quieter alternate route be considered for the greenway, especially for less experienced cyclists or families wanting a safe outing on their bicycles. Nanaimo Street and 46th Avenue were most frequently mentioned.

Based on comments received and other potential greenway attributes, an alternate north-south route along Nanaimo Street was identified by staff. Two alternate east-west route options were also proposed in conjunction with the Nanaimo Street option: 45th Avenue (directly along 45th between Nanaimo and Boundary), and 46th Avenue (along 46th from Nanaimo, through Killarney Park, and returning to 45th at Tyne). These routes are illustrated below as Route Option 2.

Route Option 2

A survey of these route options was distributed to approximately 2850 residents and owners of property within one and a half blocks of these routes to determine which had the greater community support. The survey offered a choice between the Earles Street and Nanaimo Street alignments. Respondents who favoured the Nanaimo Street alignment over the Earles Street alignment were also asked to then choose between the 45th Avenue alignment and the 46th Avenue alignment. (Earles Street does not connect to 46th Avenue so this choice was not offered to those preferring the Earles Street alignment). The surveys were due back by February 8, 1999. An open house was held at Weir Elementary School on February 2, 1999 to answer any questions residents had regarding the survey and the Greenways program. About 30 residents attended. Comments and suggestions were actively solicited.

DISCUSSION

Survey Results

Approximately 2500 surveys were hand delivered to residents within a block and a half of the route options. An additional 350 were mailed to people who owned property but did not live within the area. The survey return rate from area residents was approximately 10%. About 40% of these respondents lived on one of the route option streets and virtually all respondents resided within the survey area. Tables illustrating the route preferences of the 254 respondents and a list of representative comments received with the surveys and through the public consultation process are included in Appendix A.

A majority of 61% supported Nanaimo Street (155) over Earles Street (99) for the greenway route. Of those who favoured Nanaimo Street, a majority of 55.5% supported 45th Avenue (86) over 46th Avenue (69). Based on this response, it is recommended that Council adopt the Nanaimo Street and 45th Avenue route option as the preferred Ridgeway greenway east extension route, as illustrated below.

Preferred Route

Traffic Calming

Many of the comments received through the survey and public consultation focussed on the perceived need for traffic calming. The Neighbourhood Transportation Branch has identified Nanaimo Street between 34th and 41st Avenues and Earles Street between Kingsway and 41st Avenue as streets requiring traffic calming due to high traffic volumes and speeds. Regardless of greenway route selection, both Nanaimo and Earles Streets will be reviewed for traffic calming.

Ridgeway Design Process

A letter has been sent to all residents and property owners within the survey area informing them of the survey results, the route recommendation, and the date for Council consideration of this report.

Once Council adopts the preferred route for the east extension of the Ridgeway, work will begin on the concept and design development for the route. Public consultation on the development of the design concept and detailed design will be followed by a survey to determine support for the design in the Spring, 1999. At that time, staff will report back to Council with the results of that survey and preliminary costs for implementation.

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPLICATIONS

Greenways benefit the environment by enhancing the opportunities to walk and cycle in the city. As well as increasing the numbers of trees and other plants along the greenway routes, civic environmental initiatives are promoted, such as the composter and down spout disconnect programs.

SOCIAL IMPLICATIONS

Greenways contribute positively to society through the provision of increased opportunities for active and passive recreation, community interaction and healthier lifestyles.

CONCLUSION

On the basis of the survey results, the route recommended for the east extension of the Ridgeway is 38th Avenue from Victoria Drive to Nanaimo Street, Nanaimo Street south to 45th Avenue, and 45th Avenue from Nanaimo Street to Boundary Road. Development of the Ridgeway along this route, supported by the majority of area residents, will provide many environmental and social benefits for the residents of Vancouver.

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SURVEY RESULTS APPENDIX A

Approximately 2500 surveys were hand delivered to residents within a block and a half of the route options. An additional 350 were mailed to people who owned property within this area but did not live within the area. The following tables illustrate the route preferences of the 254 survey respondents.

ROUTE PREFERENCE A

Number of
Respondents

Percent of
Total

Option 1: Earles Street

99

39

Option 2: Nanaimo Street

155

61

ROUTE PREFERENCE B
(Of Option 2 supporters of Nanaimo over Earles)

Number of
Respondents

Percent of
Total

Nanaimo Street via 45th Ave

86

55.5

Nanaimo Street via 46th Ave

69

44.5

COMMENTS

The following is a sampling of comments representative of those received with the surveys, at the public meeting and through telephone conversations. They are organized in approximate order declining from most commonly mentioned to less frequently mentioned. A complete listing of comments is on file.

1. 46th Avenue has less traffic than 45th Avenue and is more interesting, especially crossing through Killarney Park.
2. Prefers 45th Avenue to 46th Avenue as it is more direct and doesn't pass through the park.
3. 45th Avenue is too busy for the greenway and needs to be traffic calmed, especially at school crossing areas.
4. Earles Street is too busy for a greenway.
5. Add facilities, such as benches, trees, public art, traffic circles, stop signs, roller blading lanes, handicap crosswalks, trails, and more open space.
6. Safer crossing is needed at Elliot and 45th Avenue.
7. Earles needs to be a greenway to calm traffic.
8. Doesn't like any of the options proposed.
9. Want greenway on their street to deter home invasions.
10. Many people cross Nanaimo south of 46th Avenue so needs to be safer.
11. Replace stop signs at 45th and Nanaimo with a traffic circle.
12. Tyne between Kingsway and 45th is a problem due to poor pavement condition.

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