Third Crossing Concepts To Be Presented
Residents can get their first look at what the proposed Third Crossing of the Cataraqui River could look like at a Public Information Centre (PIC) on Thursday, March 31, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at La Salle Secondary School, 773 Highway 15.
A number of concepts for the potential crossing will be presented at the March 31st PIC and will also be posted online for your viewing later that day. In addition, a Your Opinion survey will be posted, providing the public an opportunity to voice your opinion on the bridge design concepts. Comments can be submitted online until April 21.
In addition to being able to review and comment on the concept drawings at the public session, residents can also get an update on the progress on the Environmental Assessment (EA) associated with the proposed bridge. The EA considers the environmental, social, cultural, economical, heritage, archeological, geo-technical, hydro-technical and traffic implications of implementing a Third Crossing.
The majority of the field studies required as part of the EA have been completed with the Marine Archeology study scheduled to begin this spring. The information gathered from these various field studies has allowed the project team to identify bridge design concepts and to present them at the March 31 Public Information Centre.
A fourth Public Information Centre is scheduled for the last quarter of 2011. Soon afterwards, the first draft of the Stage 2 Environment Study Report (ESR) is expected to be submitted for Council’s consideration and approval.
An approved ESR does not commit Council to begin the detailed design work necessary for construction. The ESR allows the current and future Councils to plan for long-term growth and development programs and offers the ability to apply for funding from senior levels of government.
The other crossings that join east Kingston with central Kingston over the Cataraqui River are the La Salle Causeway and Highway 401, neither of which are owned by the City. The City’s 2004 Kingston Transportation Master Plan (KTMP) stated that additional crossing capacity of one lane in each direction was needed across the Cataraqui River to address future capacity deficiencies. The 2009 KTMP model incorporated updated household travel survey information which reaffirmed the need for additional transportation capacity across the Cataraqui River.
Media contact information: Cindie Ashton, Communications Officer, 613-546-4291, ext. 3116 (cell 613-329-3462). Or call the City of Kingston’s media hotline at 613-546-4291, ext 2300.