Below is the May 2021 Executive Summary of the Final Project File Report - Route 300 Intersections and St-Guillaume Road Improvements Schedule B Environmental Assessment Study.
Executive Summary
E1 EA Study
Russell Township, in partnership with the United Counties of Prescott and Russell, has completed an Environmental Assessment (EA) Study and preliminary design for intersection improvements at five locations along Route 300, and on St-Guillaume Road from Route 300 to Notre Dame Street (Embrun) in accordance with the Municipal Class Environmental Assessment process.
This EA Study examined intersection alternatives, drainage and road alignment and determined a Recommended Plan to address the needs of the Study Area. The recommended design addresses current and future operational needs considering all modes of travel.
The EA was initiated to consider intersection improvements to Limoges Road, St-Thomas Road, St-Augustin Road and St-Pierre Road, which were presented at Public Information Centre (PIC) No. 1. Following PIC No. 1, intersection and road improvements on St-Guillaume Road from Route 300 to Notre Dame Street were also included in the EA Study. These improvements include: the St-Guillaume Road/Route 300 intersection, a new St-Guillaume Road/Business Park intersection and access to future development.
The EA followed the Schedule A+ and B requirements under the Planning and Design process of the “Municipal Class Environmental Assessment”, as amended in 2015. This is a self-assessment process that includes mandatory public consultation.
E1.1 Study Area
The study areas are the intersections of Route 300 with Limoges Road, St-Thomas Road, St-Augustin Road and St-Pierre Road as well as St-Guillaume Road from Route 300 southerly to Notre Dame Street.
The study area is located in Russell Township and the United Counties of Prescott-Russell and is illustrated in Figure E1.
E1.2 Consultation
The study was carried out in consultation with County and Township staff, external agencies, property owners, and the public. The Route 300 Intersections and St-Guillaume Road Improvements EA study consultation included the following:
- Two (2) Public Information Centres (PIC’s)
- Liaison with external agencies
- Property owner meetings
- Consultation with Indigenous Peoples
Positive feedback was received on the Recommended Plan through this consultation.
The EA report will be available to the public, stakeholders and agencies for a 30-day review period from May 25, 2021 to June 23, 2021. The study completion notice was posted on the Township and and County websites on May 19, 2021 and advertised on May 19, 2021 in Le Reflet. The notice has also been provided to the Nation Municipality as some of the works are on a boundary road (Limoges Road).
E2 Municipal Class EA Process
This study followed the Municipal Class Environmental Assessment process for a Schedule B project based on the scope and complexity of the project as well as the estimated capital cost of the project .
The Class EA Process was undertaken in a series of phases commencing with problem identification and culminating in the filing of a Project File Report. The Planning and Design Process for the Municipal Class EA is illustrated in Figure E2.
The Class EA process includes an evaluation of all reasonable alternatives and the selection of a preferred alternative(s) with acceptable effects (including avoidance and mitigation of any residual effects) on the natural and social/cultural environments. This project involved three of the five phases of the Municipal Class EA process (as required for a Schedule B project):
- Phase 1: Identify the Problem
- Phase 2: Alternative Solutions
- Phase 3: Alternative Design Concepts for Preferred Solution (not included in a Schedule B EA Study)
- Phase 4: Environmental Study Report (not included in a Schedule B EA Study)
- Phase 5: Implementation
The project will be approved for design and construction if no written concerns are submitted during the review period.
If you require communication support for Figure E2, please contact info@russell.ca.
E3 Analysis and Evaluation
Based on the existing conditions and built environment, intersection alternatives were developed to address traffic demand and other issues identified by the Township, County and relevant stakeholders.
E3.1 Intersection Alternatives
The following Intersection alternatives were considered:
- St-Pierre Road/Route 300 intersection: Do Nothing (mandated by the Municipal Class EA Process); traffic signals; and roundabout.
- St-Augustin Road/Route 300 intersection: Do Nothing (mandated by the Municipal Class EA Process); eastbound right-turn lane and westbound left-turn lanes; and roundabout.
- St-Thomas Road/Route 300 intersection: Do Nothing (mandated by the Municipal Class EA Process); eastbound right-turn lane and westbound left-turn lane; and roundabout.
- Limoges Road/Route 300 intersection: Do Nothing (mandated by the Municipal Class EA Process); traffic signals; and roundabout.
- St-Guillaume Road/Route 300 intersection: Do Nothing (mandated by the Municipal Class EA Process); traffic signals; and roundabout.
- St-Guillaume Road/Business Park intersection: a roundabout, as part of the business park development plan.
E4 Technically Preferred Plan
The Technically Preferred Plan (TPP) includes
- Roundabout at St-Pierre Road/Route 300
- Eastbound right-turn lane and westbound left-turn lanes with long term property protection for a roundabout at St-Augustin Road/Route 300
- Eastbound right-turn lane and westbound left-turn lane at St-Thomas Road/Route 300
- Roundabout at Limoges Road/Route 300
- Roundabout at St-Guillaume Road/Route 300
- Roundabout at St-Guillaume Road/Business Park
The proposed intersection on St-Guillaume Road at the business park access is a Schedule A+ Project and is not subject to the Part II Order condition.
The final Recommended Plans are presented in Section 11.0. This recommendation was endorsed by Township Council as documented in Appendix I.
E5 Next Steps
At the end of the 30-day review period, should there be no objections to the project; the Township, County and developer may proceed with design and construction of the recommended plan, subject to availability of funding and competing construction priorities.
The project file main body and appendices are available for the public to download by contacting Mr. Steve Taylor and/or Mr. Francois Landry to provide the download link.
Contact:
Steve Taylor, P.Eng.
Consultant Project Manager, BT Engineering Inc.
100 Craig Henry Drive, Suite 201
Ottawa, Ontario K2G 5W3
Tel: 613-228-4813
Toll Free: 1-866-218-1001
Email: steven.taylor@bteng.ca
Francois Landry
Project Manager Russell Township
717 Notre-Dame Street
Embrun, ON K0A 1W1
Tel: 613-443-1747
Email: infrastructure@russell.ca