Henley Island Drive Public Information Centre
Consultation has concluded for this project at this time.
The City of St. Catharines has planned to complete necessary improvements to resurface the road way and construct a multi-use path in 2022. The work that is to be completed as part of this construction project is as follows:
- Resurfacing of the roadway with new asphalt;
- Construction of a 2.4m wide multi-use path on the north/east side;
- Removal of old and diseased trees recommended by a certified arborist;
- Slope stabilization/improvements;
- Planting/relocation of smaller trees;
- Installation of drainage improvements;
- Raised mid-block pedestrian crossings;
- Boulevards and driveways will be restored which will get disturbed during construction.
Construction is expected to begin by mid to late June 2022 and the duration of construction will be approximately one month.
There will be some inconvenience for residents and businesses during construction. Lane restrictions and traffic controls will be in place throughout the duration of construction, as necessary. The City will work with the contractor to minimize these occurrences and maintain access as much as possible.
Prior to the start of construction, the City is seeking the input of area residents on the proposed plans.
Please review the presentation plans below and provide any input via the Q and A section on this page.
Feedback will be accepted until June 19, 2022.
Q & A
Q: What type of asphalt? Was there any consideration of an open mix to reduce the noise of vehicles?
A: The intent is to use an HL3HS mix for the road which is the City’s standard mix design, the pathway will be a finer HL3F mix that provides a smoother surface for users. This is more of what is known as a “driveway” mix.
Q: You appear to be removing a mature (20 yr) healthy conifer and deciduous tree (planted by the City) behind 21 Oarsman. These are not old and diseased as per your summary. They are right at the top of the slope for what appears to be a shallow ditch - can these trees be maintained?
A: The trees in this area are a Norway Spruce, Freeman’s Maple and a Black Walnut. The Arborist indicated that the trees are in fair to good health with a potential issue identified for the Black Walnut. Portions of the conifer trees branches will impinge upon the path and would require the removal of branches to 2.1m in height to allow safe use of the path.
The Black Walnut is considered to be in Fair condition with codominant stems and included bark, and is in conflict and removals will be replaced with new trees.
Q: Is this an open cut ditch - what is its depth and what side slopes are being used?
A: Ditches/swales will have 3:1 side slopes or less and behind No. 21 Oarsman will have a depth of approximately 0.2-0.25m (8-10 inches) below the existing ground.
Q: Raised midblock crossings will increase the level of noise. Drivers speed to the hump, cross and gun it to the next one. What value is being added by raising the mid block crossings?
A: The raised surface of the crosswalk improves the drivers’ awareness of the potential for pedestrian activity and also has a traffic calming effect. the heightened driver awareness is significant in the context of the provision of pedestrian crossovers (PXOs), as drivers are still adjusting to the rules requiring vehicles to stop and yield to pedestrians.
Q: If they (raised midblock crossings) are properly designed with good sight distances and pavement markings, there is no need for them to be raised. Do you have data from the existing speed hump that proves its effectiveness?
A: The City does not have empirical data from the Henley Island speed hump installations, however, before/after studies have been undertaken on other streets in the City where speed humps have been implemented and the data supports the reduction in vehicular speeds before and after the speed hump.
Q: If so pleases share the before and after data. If not, why are you adding two more?
A: The existing speed humps are being removed and replaced with the raised crossings.
The raised surface of the crosswalk improves the drivers’ awareness of the potential for pedestrian activity and also has a traffic calming effect. the heightened driver awareness is significant in the context of the provision of pedestrian crossovers (PXOs), as drivers are still adjusting to the rules requiring vehicles to stop and yield to pedestrians.
Q: They are an additional cost and inconvenience for the transport of the racing boats. The existing speed hump appears to be removed as it is not shown on the drawings. Can you confirm it is not being replaced?
A: The current speed humps are not being replaced in their current form.
Q: What will the posted speed limit be?
A: The final speed limit has not yet been determined, however it is likely to be 30 km/h.
Q: Where will speed signs be located?
A: Speed limit signage will be installed in the appropriate spot at both ends of the City street.
Q: Will there be any garbage receptacles on the multi use path? Where will they be located?
A: No garbage receptacles are currently proposed.
Q: What is the surface and width of the multi use path?
A: The multi-use path will be asphalt, with a width of 2.4m (8’) where separated from the road and 3.0m (10’) where adjacent to traffic.
Q: What provisions are in the contract regarding hours - at what times of the day is work allowed?
A: As per the contract construction is limited to 7am to 7pm.
Q: What is happening to the existing asphalt - is it being removed?
A: The roadway is to be milled (shaved) and paved.
Q: What measures are in the contract to control dust?
A: The contract calls for the application of water for dust control as required.
Q: Will the roadway remain open to pedestrians during construction?
A: The road will remain open during construction. There will be restrictions and traffic control to ensure safe passage of road users and pedestrians.
Q: What is the duration of the construction?
A: Approximately 4 weeks.
Q: The multi use path ends abruptly at the approach to the bridge. What warning is provided for cyclists on the multi use path?
A: The end of the multi-use path will have warning signs and likely a Stop sign indicating that the pathway is ending and that pedestrians and cyclists must stop to ensure it is safe to proceed and then to utilize the bridge to cross. There will be additional signage and markings added to the existing bridge identifying to drivers that pedestrian and cyclists should be yielded to crossing the bridge.
Q: Is it possible to paint the actual bump to make it more noticeable?
A: Regulatory paint markings will be provided on the raised crossings.
Q: I see that drainage issues are to be addressed in the plan. Does this include dealing with the discharges of waste water coming from various properties along the proposed multi-use path. There are currently a few swampy areas due to this.
A: Drainage measures including subdrain between the fence and the pathway will be provided to improve the existing drainage.
Q: Also, it is late in the design and budget process, but pedestrian safety is poor when crossing the bridge. A separated multi-use pathway bridge really is required here.
A: There will be additional signage and markings added to the existing bridge identifying to drivers that pedestrian and cyclists should be yielded to crossing the bridge.
Q: Why widen a road that leads to a bridge that is narrow to the point that 2 cars can barely pass by in opposite directions?
A: The road is not being widened.
Q: Why widen a road where you want to reduce speeding for safety? Wider = faster?
A: The road is not being widened.
Q: Why take down tress and change existing watercourses when the city is committed to maintaining and hopefully increasing the natural environment? These trees are home to countless birds and wildlife.
A: All tree removals have been assessed by qualified persons including a professional arborist and professional ecologist to assess the existing environment and they have determined that there are no Species at Risk or significant impacts associated with the tree removals. Additional new tree plantings will be provided.
Q: I viewed the plan but required written explanation. Which trees are being removed? This impacts my backyard at 25 Port Master.
A: There is no work proposed that will impact the existing trees on the road allowance behind 25 Port Master Drive.
Q: Why is there no raised crossing at this location (at the approach to the bridge)?
A: There are no pedestrian facilities on the west side behind Port Master Drive that would require access. And therefore, the intent is that pedestrians remain on the north/east side of the road and crossing at the bottom is not being encouraged.
Q: What sort of provisions will the city make in order to make this road and pathway a safe place for rowers, boating enthusiasts and pedestrians?
A: Signage, line painting, raised cross walks and delineators are being provided to minimize conflicts between all road users and provide a safe place for rowers, boating enthusiasts and pedestrians.
If you have any other questions, please enter them below:
Consultation has concluded for this project at this time.
Please let us know if you have any questions or concerns related to the Henley Island Drive resurfacing project.