Construction started on temporary access roads for Abasand and Beacon Hill
Demolition work under way at the site of a former home in Beacon Hill. August 31, 2016.
Work on the temporary construction access roads has started for Abasand and Beacon Hill.
The roads will only be used by construction traffic accessing the work sites, they are intended to separate heavy construction traffic from roadways and residential traffic, maintain cleanliness and decrease the level of risk to residents.
The RMWB considered different areas of the neighbourhoods for these routes, but the reasons for the chosen locations, include:
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- Cost: Where the roads are being built now, was the most cost-effective for residents.
- Private Land Tenure: The selected option avoids operating on private land
- Impact on Green Space: This option will allow for the Trail system along the north-east side of Beacon Hill to be remediated. The Trail system will, however, remain closed until further notice
- Separation from the Schools: Safety is our number one priority. An area of separation was created in order to protect school age children from potential hazards. This is in preparation for the potential reopening of schools.
- Impact on Traffic:
- local vehicle traffic: this location will minimize the impact on local vehicle traffic. Residential traffic will continue to use the paved roads as per normal. The temporary road is exclusively for construction traffic.
- pedestrian traffic: The construction of this road will mean that the trail system along the north-east side of Beacon Hill will be closed until further notice. All pedestrian sidewalks will still be available for use.
- Constructability: Building a temporary access road on the green space that is east of Beacon Hill Drive, adjacent to Highway 63, is the safest and most cost-effective location available. The Municipality considered constructing an access road to the west of the Beacon Hill subdivision, west of Beacon Hill Drive, but decided against it for a number of reasons, including:
- Slope stability: Because there is a steep drop-off towards the Hangingstone River, there would be a risk of earth movement posed to construction traffic in that location.
- Deep utilities: Deep utilities are present in this location and could be impacted by multiple seasons of high-load construction traffic. Also, in the event that a repair is needed to those utilities, a secondary construction access road would be needed so that rebuilding is not hindered.
- Cell tower: There is a major cellular antenna tower along this potential route, which impedes construction.
- Work Plan: Work will be completed within the hours permitted by the Municipal Noise By-Law, so that we do not disturb residents.
- Intent Post-Use: The greenbelt and trail will be restored and upgraded once the temporary access road is no longer required. A short segment will be left and tied into a planned second way in and out route.
The work on these two construction roads is expected to be complete by December 15th.
