Lewis Estates Transit Centre Concept Plan

Lewis Estates Transit Centre Concept Plan

Recommendation:
That the Lewis Estates Transit Centre Concept Plan outlined in Attachment 1 of the May 31, 2007, Transportation Department report 2007TD7998 be approved.

Report Summary

The Lewis Estates Transit Centre will be a key transit hub in Edmonton’s west end serving the neighbourhoods in Lewis Estates and the Grange. Approval of the concept plan is necessary prior to undertaking the engineering and construction phases.

Report

  • The Lewis Estates Transit Centre is proposed to be located south of Webber Greens Drive just west of Anthony Henday Drive. The transit terminal will include space for up to 20 local and express buses including space for Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) vehicles. A conceptual plan of the transit centre is provided in Attachment 1.
  • In addition to the transit terminal, space has been set aside for a park and ride facility accommodating up to 800 vehicles. The precise location and configuration of the park and ride area has not yet been established as additional planning and public consultation will need to be undertaken before a design can be brought forward for City Council’s consideration.
  • The Lewis Estates Transit Centre has been identified in the Lewis Estates Area Structure Plan since 1999.
  • In 2004, the City acquired 17.6 ha of land from the Province to allow for the development of the transit centre and park and ride area as well as to allow for the protection of a significant portion of the Natural Area commonly known as the McDonagh Peak Bog.
  • On June 27, 2007, City Council will be dealing with amendments to the Lewis Estates Area Structure Plan and the Suder Greens Neighbourhood Structure Plan. These amendments will designate the natural area to be protected as well as outlining the specific location of the transit centre. A Bylaw to rezone the land for transit centre use will also be dealt with at the same time.
  • As part of the concept planning study, Area Structure Plan (ASP) and Neighbourhood Structure Plan (NSP) amendments, and property acquisition, Transportation Department retained SpencerEnvironmental to conduct an environmental assessment of the McDonagh Peat Bog. The study determined that while the sustainability of the natural area will be challenged by the ongoing development in the Lewis Estates area, development to the east, including the transit centre can take place and impacts can be managed.
  • The Lewis Estates Transit Centre is one of three transit centres approved for federal and provincial cost sharing under the Canada-Alberta Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund (CAMRIF) Program. Total CAMRIF funding is $9.2 million and requires that the City provide an additional $3.2 million in matching funds.
  • Due to the nature of the subsoil conditions, extensive soil remediation must occur to allow for the construction of the transit center and park and ride area. For this reason, it is recommended that the construction of the transit centre be staged with the terminal taking first priority. The concept planning level estimate for the transit terminal component is $14.2million.
  • Transportation Department, with the assistance of Asset Management and Public Works Department will explore options to deliver the park and ride facility in a cost effective manner. This will include a review of possible public/private partnerships in the development of residential and mixed land uses on City owned lands surrounding the transit terminal. In the interim, Transportation Department has initiated discussions with Alberta Infrastructure and Utilities for the possible development of a temporary surface park and ride lot on the Transportation and Utility Corridor.

Public Consultation

  • Public Consultation related to the Lewis Estates Transit Centre has occurred through both the West BRT Planning Study and the Land Use Planning process associated with the ASP and NSP amendments. Additional public consultation will take place as part of the “Special Study” area for the lands surrounding the transit terminal including the park and ride facility.
  • Funding for the design and construction of the Lewis Estates Transit Centre is available through a combination of funding sources including 05-66-1665 (Transit Improvement Program) and the CAMRIF Funding Program.

Justification of Recommendation
Approval of the Lewis Estates Transit Centre Concept Plan is necessary to begin the preliminary engineering work. This engineering work must be carried out to allow the facility to take advantage of the approved CAMRIF funding.

Attachments

  1. Lewis Estates Transit Centre Concept Plan

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