Can we afford or need a new bridge across the Cataraqui?

[keoadmin]

The City of Kingston environmental review for a third major bridge crossing of the Cataraqui River is now well under way. But the need, demand and costs for the bridge are being closely questioned. Recently local fire and ambulance service staff confirmed that current road access conditions adequately cover their safety requirements. A number of Pittsburgh residents are questioning the changes to their quality of life if a new bridge brings more traffic and development to the district. But the estimated final cost, now approaching $200 million for a four lane bridge, may be the critical determinant of whether this project goes forward.

-- Kingston Electors

[3aw6]

One must also consider the millions of dollars the Wellington St. extension will cost as part of the third crossing price tag. City studies note that the traffic along the west side of the river will not increase significantly in the next 20+ years. Without increased traffic from the Third Crossing, another route into downtown along the west side of the river is not needed.

People must consider these 2 projects as one. This means the bridge will actually cost a few million dollars more than projected. Many east-end residents will be unhappy with the changes in their neighbourhoods the bridge brings, as will those living on the west side of the river. On the west side of the river Fluher Park (inner harbour) will be completely destroyed. The Wellington St. extension is planned to run right through this quiet waterfront park, paving a roadway over most of the green space and disconnecting residential neighbourhoods from the water. North of this site the proposed extension will also cut through the Davis Tannery site and potentially into Belle Park.

This road expansion will destroy our access to the water, it will destroy green spaces, it will lead to increased pollution seeping into the already polluted inner harbour.

These projects must be thought of as one. Without the bridge, there is no need for the Wellington St. extension.

[run2010]

Some things in this article may be a repeat of some others. I will layout why we should build a third bridge.
1 )I have had to cross the causeway a number of times for work during various times of the day ( day, evenings and midnight shifts) so I have seen traffic volumes during different times of day as well as different days of the week. From the west of the causeway, traffic can be backed up on Queen Street to Clergy as well as some parallel streets such as Princess St.. Adjusting light timings will not help. The lights on Ontario Street are timed OK if you get them just right. One problem is people making turns and then stopping in the intersection. Even if we try and teach people good driving habits this will still be an issue. On the eastI have seen traffic backed up on Hwy 15 near the old Base hospital. CFB and RMC does have some staggered time (3:00, 3:15, 3:30, or 4:00). Even without the construction going on, traffic is a problem. In a March 12th Kingston Whig Standard article, the fire chief ( Harold Tulk”was quoted as saying “It’s common sense that a bridge will be effective,” said Tulk. “In the meantime, we recommend these traffic signals controlled by technology. It could be good for many years, for 10 or 12 years out.” – end quote . So after 10 years the environmental study will have to be restarted and will more than likely cost even more.

2) The causeway is a major crossing point for ambulance and police. Even though there are fire departments on both sides of the water, There are fire trucks coming through with lights I have seen emergency vehicles get delayed because of traffic.

3) when i first arrived in Kingston in 1982, I was posted at CFB Kingston. There was talk for a crossing as well. During this time many subdivisions in this area did not exist.

4) From my vantage point at work (RMC) as well as getting to and from work, I can see how traffic backs up. It is not just a CFB /RMC problem.

5) Before I became a resident of Kingston, I lived in St. Catharines. For anyone that does not know, the Welland canal goes to Lake Eire to Lake Ontario passing through St. Catharines. The Welland canal also has a few bridges exactly like the current causeway bridge. I remember the bridge getting stuck in the up position a few times. Luckily St. Catharines has a few other bridges including on tunnel nearby. ( total of 6 crossings if you want to include the skyway bridge). Population is close enough to be called the same as Kingston

6) We also need a by-pass for the 401 in case it is closed due to an accident from Hwy 15 to Montreal St.
( This may even help to argue a case for funding). Navigating an 18 wheeler through the causeway then downtown may be tricky. Even more challenging would be through Kingston Mills. If traffic currently would be diverted through downtown it could create a big problem.

7) This crossing would also complement the John Counter widening.
In conclusion, I believe that this bridge is a requirement to reduce traffic, increase public safety and reducing pollution from cars stuck in traffic. I would encourage the city to seek out Federal funding through such programs such as ” The Canada Strategic Infrastructure Fund” as well as similar Provincial funding.

Harold Hemberger
candidate for Portsmouth district

[run2010]

I do not think the Wellington st. expansion is a complemet to a third crossing. It may actually reduce the need for it. I would say that the Counter st expansion would be a better complemet

[3aw6]

Run2010: The city itself has stated that there will be no significant traffic increase from the north end of Kingston into downtown on the west side of the river over the next 20 years. As it stands traffic problems are minimal along this route. The only reason to build the Wellington St. extension would be to handle the excess traffic that would be crossing the river on the third crossing, and then moving towards downtown.

Without the bridge being built, current traffic patterns should continue for the next 20 years or so (according to the city). Since there are currently no major traffic problems on this route there is no reason to spend millions of dollars (and to destroy waterfront green space) to build the extension unless it is to service the increase in traffic expected to occur from the third crossing.

[run2010]

You quoted "The city itself has stated that there will be no significant traffic increase from the north end of Kingston into downtown on the west side of the river over the next 20 years."

I agree. That area would be Montreal St. ( There are areas that I would like to see redeveloped - Too many abandoned buildings that should be torn down - but thats another topic). The esatern parts have seen massive developments in the last 20 years.

However, the fact is that there are delays on both sides of the causeway ( and that does not have to do with construction). I have seen Queen St backed up as far as Barrie with vehicle that are headed towards Ontario St. There is also traffic backed up past the old hospital on the base waiting for people to cross the other way. Along Hwy 15 I have worked on the Base, RMC and even Startek, I have also done sales that took me across the causeway so yes I was a frequent user. My current position at RMC requires me to work shifts so there are various times that I may be leaving )

New crossing users would probably also use the John Counter expansion ( if it is done) and maybe towards Taylor Kidd. This would also reduce pollution as cars would not be sitting around for so long.

Also the Lasalle causeway is the ONLY crossing in the city that allows pedestrian and bicycle traffic. It is the only non-highway crossing in the city ( Kingston Mills does not really count as it is a low volume route - swing bridge and single lane). For emergency preparedness, it is essential that we have a third crossing. Yes, no major emergency happened yet, but you have to be prepared. Using this excuse ( because it has not happened yet) is similiar to a friend of mine saying he did not need to get fire insurance for his apartment because he did not have a fire. BTW -I told him directly that it was a dumb way of thinking.

[3aw6]

Run2010: Keep in mind fire insurance doesn't cost $200 million. ;)

The third crossing won't solve any traffic problems, it will simply just shift traffic jams around to new parts of the city. To solve traffic problems we need to promote alternate modes of transportation that get people out of their cars (or at least get them to car pool).

Another reason the third crossing makes little sense is its relation to the 401. I can understand the reasoning for a back-up route across the river in case of accidents, but aside from this the 401 is close enough to Counter St that the additional drive without the bridge only takes a couple of minutes.

Driving up Montreal St. from Counter St. to the 401 only takes a minute or two, even in traffic. Add another couple minutes on the east side of the river to drive from the 401 down to Gore and you are proposing that we spend $200 million to POSSIBLY cut down the commute of some east enders by about 4 minutes. You must also consider the added use of cars that this bridge could bring. Sure, it could cut down the commute of some east enders by 4 minutes (decreasing greenhouse gas emissions), but it may also entice more people from the east side of the river to drive out to the box stores on the west end of town more regularly (increase greenhouse gas emissions). If traffic jams make driving into the city so difficult, this bridge could bring about an increase in vehicular traffic cross-town, canceling out any environmental benefits that can be argued from the decreased congestion and travel time.

Also, when considering the environmental costs and benefits of the bridge one must include the emissions associated with construction, the movement of sediment and pollutants already settled on the floor of the river/harbour, the increased pollution (gas/oil/salt) that will seep into the river from the bridge (and Wellington St extension), and destruction of greenspace associated with the bridge and the Wellington St extension (greenspace which acts as a carbon sink).

Think of what the city could do with $200 million instead of cutting down the commute by 4 minutes. The city wants to build new offices ($15 million). We are in desperate need of social housing which private enterprise doesn't appear to be ready to construct. Our parks could be expanded or beautified (could decrease greenhouse gases while promoting a healthier lifestyle by getting people outdoors). We could clean up the pollution in the inner harbour (making it cleaner and perhaps leading to families swimming in the area). Bike lanes and paths could be constructed through the city (could lead to fewer cars on the roads, cutting down on pollution). Richardson Beach could get the attention it deserves. The multiplex and Artillery Park pool facilities could be built/upgraded. We could replace some of our older, pollution spewing buses (or even expand transit routes).The city has considered green energy facilities to power all of its offices (solar panels, etc), these could be built, cutting down our dependence on fossil fuel energy. Also, if the money were spent to repave some of the roads that are in dire condition around the city we could probably cut down on travel time and commutes as cars don't need to slow down or swerve around potholes and cracks.

$200 million is a lot of money.

[cain]

I am on the fence here I believe we need the 3rd crossing if nothing else to remove the traffic from downtown, so that we may consider either road changes or a pedestrian mall .
However I do feel the proper location for the crossing is elliott/gore. It would enable the users to cross town using the future 4 lane john counter st. However this being said the wellington St extension would have to be completed first.
On more of a side note i feel the city should at least complete wellington st to cataraqui as soon as possible
Once the 3rd crossing and wellington st is done we could consider making changes to the causway whether it is for walking/local/emergency traffic or so on. The traffic from 15 should not be passed through downtown unless the driver was destine for that area there are much better way to get to gardniers rd etc. When the 401 has a problem traffic is routed through downtown, I don’t know if you have ever tried to get downtown when the 401 is closed but it is almost impossible.
Where we will see the real problems this year is when Ontario st is closed/crippled due to the construction, considering the intersection at the KRC is bad enough on the average day
The 3rd crossing is something that has been studied/talked about since the 50's the final decision should be made in the next couple of years so we can put the issue to bed for the next 50 years 

In final I believe we need the crossing, however we have better things to spend 200m on at this moment, that do not include hockey rinks and pools.

Pat...
Cataraqui Candidate

Below are some links of more info i have found.

http://www.cityofkingston.ca/residents/transportation/thirdcrossing/

http://www.cityofkingston.ca/pdf/transportation/thirdcrossing/PublicInformationCentre_04-23-09_Report.pdf

http://www.cityofkingston.ca/pdf/ktmp/Appendix1_Summary.pdf

http://www.cityofkingston.ca/residents/development/wellington/index.asp

http://www.cityofkingston.ca/residents/development/wellington/index.asp