Environmental Assessment for Intersection Improvements to York Road and Four Mile Creek Road
All Niagara Region projects

About the Project

Niagara Region is undertaking a Municipal Class Environmental Assessment, including a detailed transportation assessment for intersection improvements to York Road (Regional Road 81) and Four Mile Creek Road (Regional Road 100) in Niagara-on-the-Lake. CIMA+ has been retained to undertake the study on behalf of Niagara Region.

The environmental assessment was conducted according to the requirements of the Municipal Class Environmental Assessment process, which is an approved process under the Ontario Environmental Assessment Act.

The project team has consulted with the public, interested groups, and staff from the Town of Niagara-on-the-Lake since the project started in January 2021.

The recommended roundabout was presented to the public in the second and final Public Information Centre on June 23, 2021 and the project team notified the public during the meeting about the next steps to complete the project.

Following the planning phase and approval of the environmental assessment, a separate assignment will be initiated to implement the improvements approved through the process.

Purpose of the study

The study will provide an opportunity to change the intersection from an all-way stop control to traffic signal control or a roundabout to meet the future needs of the surrounding community from the perspective of all road users, supporting multi-modal travel and improving road-user safety as identified in the 2017 Region's Transportation Master Plan.

The extent of the road modifications will attempt to strike a balance between meeting future traffic capacity objectives, adhering to Complete Streets guidelines (in terms of keeping road cross sections to a minimum), and minimizing costs and impacts to adjacent properties and creek crossings.

This project was initiated to:

• Identify and evaluate a range of alternative solutions to accommodate growing traffic volumes at the intersection, including:
• Geometric and intersection improvements
• Complete streets and urban design concepts
• Access management and transit
• Address active transportation needs by providing a dedicated facility for pedestrians and cyclists that is safe, attractive and strengthens the area's relationship with its past

What you need to know

The public was informed that the study will evaluate the need for more transportation capacity, improved street lighting and illumination, enhanced transit and active transportation through improved sidewalk connections and better pedestrian and cyclist facilities to conform to a Complete Streets approach and strengthen the area's relationship with its past. An Urban Design and Streetscape Strategy will be included in the Environment Study Report.

Natural and built elements of the street may be functional or aesthetic items that provide amenity or utility to street users, such as street trees, landscaping, lighting and street furnishings. These elements contribute to the overall character of the area and shape the user experience.

There will be an opportunity to work with the community during detailed design on what to install in the roundabout to signify the historical importance of the village of St. Davids. A comprehensive landscaping plan will be developed at that time, in consultation with the Town of Niagara-on-the-Lake.

Traffic operations were reviewed for a 10-year horizon (2031), a 20-year horizon (2041) and a 30-year horizon (2051) to evaluate long-term effects of future increases in vehicular volume in the study area. All infrastructure projects, including road and transportation projects are designed and constructed to address future growth and based on the design needs in 20 to 30 years.

The traffic operations study that was conducted as part of the environmental assessment showed that peak hour delays and queues will significantly increase at the intersection due to the expected traffic growth in the area road network should it remain under all-way stop control.

Active transportation, such as walking and cycling, is a strategic goal for the Region and is consistent with the Complete Streets approach.

The proposed roundabout will create slow and uniform traffic speeds with no congestion well into the long future horizon. The roundabout will also be safer through the elimination of red light running and angle collisions, and meet the Region's Vision Zero objectives.

The pedestrian crosswalks will be designed based on provincial standards. There will be pedestrian crossovers installed on all approaches. These devices are similar to traffic signals and stop signs. Drivers who fail to yield to pedestrians at crossovers will be subject to fines and demerit points.

Roundabout is the preferred design

The project team evaluated design concepts for a signalized intersection and a roundabout based on several factors:

• Natural environment
• Cultural heritage and archaeology
• Transportation
• Socio-economic
• Engineering and constructability

After an extensive evaluation process, the roundabout is preferred over a signalized intersection as it would:

• Better address peak hour delays and queues
• Improve road safety because of lower vehicle speeds and the elimination of angle (side impact collision) crashes
• Lower speeds through the intersection
• Increase environmental benefits, including lower vehicle noise, fuel consumption and emissions
• Not directly impact the heritage building on the southeast corner
• Lower construction and ongoing maintenance costs

Project Timeline