Inverhuron and District Ratepayers Association

Highway 21 from Kincardine to Tiverton under scrutiny

Kincardine Independent
By Liz Dadson
The Ontario Ministry of Transportation (MTO) is studying the section of Highway 21 between Kincardine and Tiverton to consider required road improvements in anticipation of a two-year construction project from 2008-2010.
While that stretch of road was closed for a good portion of February this year due to blowing and drifting snow, that is not the reason for the study, says Randy McIntyre, project manager with the MTO’s planning and design section, southwestern region.
“This project is initiated as a result of the condition of the existing pavement,” he says. “Snow-drifting locations will also be addressed as part of the design project.”
He says the snow-drifting areas will be determined in design, which involves analysis and modelling of each of the areas. “Once the analysis has been completed, there are a number of potential treatments that can be recommended, including larger ditches, hedge plantings, raising the road, etc.”
SNC-Lavalin Engineers and Constructors Inc. is conducting the study which will determine what improvements are required, such as pavement rehabilitation/reconstruction, snow-drifting/storage treatments, structural culvert replacements/rehabilitation, non-structural culvert replacements, minor intersection improvements, drainage improvements and minor electrical work.
McIntyre says some of the proposed work involves reconstructing and widening driving lanes to 3.75 metres and road shoulders to 2.5 metres. Highway 21 will be reconstructed through Tiverton, he says, and there will be drainage improvements throughout the project, including some ditching and culvert replacements at various locations. He adds that eight snow-drifting treatment areas have been identified.
The MTO plans to maintain traffic on this section of Highway 21 throughout the project, using on-site, single-lane traffic signal-controlled detours. Local access to all properties will also be maintained during construction.
The design study is being conducted in accordance with MTO’s Class Environmental Assessment for provincial transportation facilities as a Group B project. Once it is completed, a Transportation Environmental Study Report will be prepared, identifying the environmentally-significant aspects of the planning, design, construction and operation of the project. This will be filed for a 30-day public review period.
The study also includes a public and government consultation process, with one Public Information Centre planned for the spring.
McIntyre says this information centre will be held in April or May and will be advertised in the local press. It will give people the opportunity to review the design and make comments, he says.
“Generally, comments are requested to be submitted within two to three weeks after the PIC (Public Information Centre),” says McIntyre. “However, MTO will consider comments received at any time during the study.”
Anyone wishing to make comments, or with concerns about this project, can forward them to McIntyre at 659 Exeter Road, London, Ontario, N6E 1L3, call 519-873-4547, fax 519-873-4600, or E-mail: Randy.McIntyre@mto.gov.on.ca.
Or forward comments and concerns to Bing Wong, project manager, SNC-Lavalin Engineers and Constructors Inc., 2200 Lake Shore Boulevard West, Toronto, Ontario, M8V 1A4, call 416-252-5311, fax 416-231-5356, or E-mail: bing.wong@snclavalin.com.

Highway 21 reconstruction planned for 2008-2010

By Troy Patterson
Wednesday February 28, 2007
Residents will have a say into the future look and feel of Highway 21 between Kincardine and Tiverton at a public meeting in April or May.
The Ministry of Transportation (MTO) and engineer, SNC-Lavalin, are looking for public input into the $14 million reconstruction, which is expected to begin between 2008 and 2010 as part of the Southern Ontario Highways Project.
The ongoing study will include a public information session this spring as a chance for stakeholders, property owners and members of the public to comment on the project, which has been in the planning since 1994
The public will be able to address engineering issues, environmental features and sensitivities in the project area.
"It will be a chance for them to tell us what's wrong or what can be improved," said Geddes Mahabir, MTO area engineer for planning and design. "Public consultation is good for any project. We want to show (them) our plans for improvements."
The 12.4 km stretch of Highway 21, just north of Highway 9 to Bruce Road 15 in Tiverton, is notorious for white-outs and snow drifts and some areas have substandard pavement conditions, all of which are part of the study.
Mahabir said some areas where winter drifting is a problem may be altered with ditches dug and/or hedges/trees planted to prevent the hazardous driving conditions common to the stretch of highway. Sections of poor pavement or grade will also be noted and may see features like guardrails installed.
"We want to identify potential areas of concern," said Mahabir.
To complete this process, some property acquisitions may be needed from adjoining property owners, which will be part of the public consultation.
Within Tiverton, five culverts will be replaced and the main intersection will see some remodeling, east to the edge of Tiverton.
"We want make some minor improvements so commercial vehicles can turn better," he said, adding that rounding off the corners will better accommodate the turning radius of transport trucks.
During the construction, local and highway traffic will be maintained through construction-controlled detours.
The studies are being conducted as part of the MTO's Environmental Assessment for Provincial Transportation Facilities.
For more information call 519-873-4547.

MTO has right idea with Highway 21

By Troy Patterson
Wednesday February 28, 2007
The Ministry of Transportation (MTO) is in the process of an ongoing study to improve Highway 21, leading up to a spring public meeting and it's about time.
As long as can be remembered the stretch between Kincardine and Tiverton has been treacherous and dangerous, with frequent white-outs and drifting problems. It's the government's responsibility to fix these issues and although it's taken them almost 15 years to study the area, it seems we're approaching the final stretch.
The MTO is looking to the public to fill them in on problem areas between the two communities, so those who have dealt with the issues first-hand or live in the area should speak up.
They're suggesting digging ditches in certain areas, while planting trees and hedges in others, so they have the right idea, but they need direction from the community to ensure what is done is what will benefit all residents.
Although the government has spear-headed the project and hopped on the living snow fence idea, Bruce Power had the right idea with its recent project, so the public should also step up to the plate.
Leave the roads, pavement and grading to the MTO, the property owners could make a significant investment in the community by planting living snow fences of their own along their property lines. It would cost a handsome sum, but there wouldn't be a doubt that local drivers would be appreciative of it.
There would be less drifts, white-outs and things would just look nicer.
It will be nice when this piece of Highway 21 is nice and smooth, but it will be even nicer to be able to visit folks further north, even when the weather isn't the best.