City of Barrie
Sunnidale Road - Highway 400
Watermain Crossing Municipal Class
Environmental Assessment
Project File Report
Prepared by:
AECOM
55 Cedar Pointe Drive, Suite 620
Barrie, ON, Canada L4N 5R7
www.aecom.com
Project Number:
60216744
Date:
January 2013
705 721 9222 tel
705 734 0764 fax
AECOM
City of Barrie
Sunnidale Road-Highway 400 Transmission
Watermain Crossing Municipal Class EA
Statement of Qualifications and Limitations
The attached Report (the “Report”) has been prepared by AECOM Canada Ltd. (“Consultant”) for the benefit of the
client (“Client”) in accordance with the agreement between Consultant and Client, including the scope of work
detailed therein (the “Agreement”).
The information, data, recommendations and conclusions contained in the Report (collectively, the “Information”):
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is subject to the scope, schedule, and other constraints and limitations in the Agreement and the
qualifications contained in the Report (the “Limitations”)
represents Consultant’s professional judgement in light of the Limitations and industry standards for the
preparation of similar reports
may be based on information provided to Consultant which has not been independently verified
has not been updated since the date of issuance of the Report and its accuracy is limited to the time
period and circumstances in which it was collected, processed, made or issued
must be read as a whole and sections thereof should not be read out of such context
was prepared for the specific purposes described in the Report and the Agreement
in the case of subsurface, environmental or geotechnical conditions, may be based on limited testing and
on the assumption that such conditions are uniform and not variable either geographically or over time
Consultant shall be entitled to rely upon the accuracy and completeness of information that was provided to it and has
no obligation to update such information. Consultant accepts no responsibility for any events or circumstances that
may have occurred since the date on which the Report was prepared and, in the case of subsurface, environmental or
geotechnical conditions, is not responsible for any variability in such conditions, geographically or over time.
Consultant agrees that the Report represents its professional judgement as described above and that the
Information has been prepared for the specific purpose and use described in the Report and the Agreement, but
Consultant makes no other representations, or any guarantees or warranties whatsoever, whether express or
implied, with respect to the Report, the Information or any part thereof.
The Report is to be treated as confidential and may not be used or relied upon by third parties, except:
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as agreed in writing by Consultant and Client
as required by law
for use by governmental reviewing agencies
Consultant accepts no responsibility, and denies any liability whatsoever, to parties other than Client who may
obtain access to the Report or the Information for any injury, loss or damage suffered by such parties arising from
their use of, reliance upon, or decisions or actions based on the Report or any of the Information (“improper use of
the Report”), except to the extent those parties have obtained the prior written consent of Consultant to use and rely
upon the Report and the Information. Any damages arising from improper use of the Report or parts thereof shall be
borne by the party making such use.
This Statement of Qualifications and Limitations is attached to and forms part of the Report and any use of the
Report is subject to the terms hereof.
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AECOM
City of Barrie
Sunnidale Road-Highway 400 Transmission
Watermain Crossing Municipal Class EA
Distribution List
# of Hard Copies
PDF Required
Association / Company Name
AECOM Signatures
Report Prepared By:
Jessica Mollo, B.Sc
Environmental Planner
Report Reviewed By:
Karl Grueneis, B.A.
Senior Environmental Planner
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Peter Wills, P.Eng
Project Manager
AECOM
City of Barrie
Sunnidale Road-Highway 400 Transmission
Watermain Crossing Municipal Class EA
Executive Summary
A. BACKGROUND
The Corporation of the City of Barrie (the City) through its consultant
AECOM, has completed a Municipal Class Environmental
Assessment (Class EA) routing study for the establishment of a new
watermain that will cross Highway 400 in the area of Sunnidale Road
(see map). Analysis of the City’s water distribution system identified
the need to provide additional north to south transmission capacity in
the area of Sunnidale Road and Highway 400 that is required to
supply treated municipal water to the City’s downtown core and also
address security of supply.
The proposed 500mm diameter watermain will connect the new
Sunnidale Reservoir (currently under construction) and the existing
Anne Street Reservoir to the distribution system south of Highway 400 improving the network distribution flows and
provide for security of supply.
B. MUNICIPAL CLASS ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT PROCESS
This Class EA was completed under the October 2000, as amended in 2007 and 2011 MEA Municipal Class EA
document. This project falls under the Schedule B planning process as it involves the establishment of a new
watermain where alignments are located outside of an existing road allowance or an existing utility corridor. As such
Phases 1 and 2 of the MEA Municipal Class EA planning process apply to this study.
C. PROBLEM/OPPORTUNITY STATEMENT
The Phase 1 problem statement for the Sunnidale Road-Highway 400 Watermain Crossing Municipal Class EA is
defined as follows:
That the City of Barrie drinking water master plan recognizes a need to provide additional water supply to
the downtown core from the Anne Street Reservoir and the Sunnidale Road Reservoir. In order to meet
short and long term water demands, to complete the system expansion and address security of supply, a
new 500mm diameter watermain is required to connect the existing watermain at the intersection of
Sunnidale Road and Letitia Street and a proposed watermain at the intersection of Sunnidale Road and
Wellington Street West within the corridor of Sunnidale Road and Highway 400.
In order to address the above, the City initiated this Class EA planning process in 2011 which identifies and
evaluates alternative solutions (routing alignments) and accordingly addresses the above problem statement.
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AECOM
City of Barrie
Sunnidale Road-Highway 400 Transmission
Watermain Crossing Municipal Class EA
D. PHASE 2 IDENTIFICATION AND EVALAUTION OF ALTERNATIVE WATERMAIN ROUTES
Alternative watermain routes are identified on the following Figure 1.
Evaluation criteria were developed based on natural environment, social/cultural, economic/financial,
legal/jurisdictional and technical considerations and used to evaluate alternative solutions. Refer to Section 7 for the
evaluation of the alternatives.
E. PREFERRED WATERMAIN ROUTE
Based on the evaluation of alternative watermain routes, Route 3 (as shown on Figure 2) is preferred based on the
following:
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Significantly avoids displacement and/or disruption to environmentally sensitive areas, valley lands,
watercourses and floodplains;
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Significantly avoids tree removal and disruption to wildlife corridors;
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Avoids impacts to businesses and institutions;
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Avoids use of narrower local roads resulting in less impact to residences including noise, vibration, dust and
access;
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Avoids watermain alignments in backyards;
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Construction is expected to be straight forward and will be contained to a relatively wide arterial road corridor
that can allow for traffic flow and is also planned for future widening;
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Avoids areas with difficult groundwater conditions resulting in potentially easier permitting approvals;
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Place main within wide arterial road providing better access for maintenance and inspection requirements;
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Shortest route, length of watermain including horizontal distance under Highway 400; and
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Avoids requirements for significant easements.
It is important to note that Route 3 will require the purchase of two (2) single family residences which are needed for
the siting of sending and receiving pits which must be located outside of the Ministry of Transportation’s (MTO) rightof-way limits. This is somewhat mitigated by the fact that the two (2) homes in question would eventually be
purchased by MTO1 for the widening of Highway 400 and the Sunnidale Road bridge, the timing of which is not yet
known. (see Appendix K)
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Ministry of Transportation, Transportation Environmental Study Report.
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AECOM
City of Barrie
Sunnidale Road-Highway 400 Transmission
Watermain Crossing Municipal Class EA
F. PROJECT DESCRIPTION, SCHEDULE AND COST
Project Description
Construction methods for the watermain will include trenchless and open cut. Trenchless construction will be used
to cross Highway 400 with the watermain being installed within a steel casing at a minimum depth of 5.0 metres
below the traveled lanes of the Highway. The remainder of the watermain will be constructed via open cut
construction with the working area advancing approximately 20-30 metres per day.
Schedule
Detailed design of the watermain is anticipated to take place in Fall 2013 (pending property acquisition) with
construction occurring in 2014.
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AECOM
Figure 1
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City of Barrie
Alternative Watermain Routes
Sunnidale Road-Highway 400 Transmission
Watermain Crossing Municipal Class EA
AECOM
Figure 2
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City of Barrie
Alternative Watermain Route 3
Sunnidale Road-Highway 400 Transmission
Watermain Crossing Municipal Class EA
AECOM
City of Barrie
Sunnidale Road-Highway 400 Transmission
Watermain Crossing Municipal Class EA
Costs
The estimated cost for Route 3 is approximately $2.5 million (refer to Appendix G for a cost breakdown).
G. MITIGATION MEASURES
Based on the preferred watermain route and proposed construction techniques, the Sunnidale Road-Highway 400
watermain is expected to have minimal environmental effects. Impacts can be minimized by incorporating best
management practices and construction techniques and controls including specific measures such as groundwater
management, traffic management, appropriate erosion and sedimentation control and dust/noise control. Mitigation
measures described in the Project File will be further confirmed and defined during detailed design, and employed
during construction to reduce the potential impacts of the proposed works.
H. CONSULTATION PROGRAM
As part of the planning process efforts have been made to inform government/review agencies, First Nations and the
local community of the nature and scope of the project and to solicit input/comments. These steps included mailings
and publishing Notices in the Barrie Examiner.
A Public Information Centre (PIC) was held on January 31, 2012 from 4:00pm to 7:00pm at the City of Barrie City
Hall. Attendees included area residents, City of Barrie staff and members from area committees who were provided
the opportunity to review and comment on the problem/opportunity statement, alternative watermain routes including
the evaluation of those routes, proposed construction methods as well as mitigation measures. Generally, Routes 2
and 3 were preferred by those who attended the PIC.
A summary of communications with the public and agencies is including in this report.
I.
CONCLUSIONS
The preferred watermain route (Route 3) resolves the problems identified in this report and indicates only minor and
predictable impacts, which are addressed by recommended mitigative measures.
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AECOM
City of Barrie
Sunnidale Road-Highway 400 Transmission
Watermain Crossing Municipal Class EA
Table of Contents
Statement of Qualifications and Limitations
Letter of Transmittal
Distribution List
Executive Summary
page
1.
Introduction/Background ............................................................................................................ 5
1.1
1.2
1.3
1.4
2.
Background .......................................................................................................................................... 5
Study Purpose and Objectives ............................................................................................................ 5
Study Team Organization .................................................................................................................... 6
Municipal Class Environmental Assessment Process ......................................................................... 6
1.4.1 Project Planning Schedule ................................................................................................... 11
1.4.2 Canadian Environmental Assessment Act Triggers ............................................................. 11
1.4.3 EA Documentation Filing ...................................................................................................... 11
1.4.4 Consultation and Communications Program ........................................................................ 12
Existing Conditions ................................................................................................................... 14
2.1
2.2
2.3
2.4
2.5
Technical ........................................................................................................................................... 14
2.1.1 Existing Water Distribution System ...................................................................................... 14
2.1.2 Other Municipal Infrastructure .............................................................................................. 14
2.1.3 MTO Highway 400 and Sunnidale Road Corridor ................................................................ 14
2.1.4 Road Network ....................................................................................................................... 14
Socio-Economic ................................................................................................................................. 15
2.2.1 Existing Land Uses ............................................................................................................... 15
2.2.2 Future Land Uses ................................................................................................................. 17
Social/Cultural .................................................................................................................................... 17
2.3.1 Archaeological ...................................................................................................................... 17
2.3.2 Cultural Built Heritage ........................................................................................................... 17
Natural Environment .......................................................................................................................... 17
2.4.1 Terrestrial .............................................................................................................................. 18
2.4.2 Aquatic .................................................................................................................................. 18
2.4.3 Species at Risk ..................................................................................................................... 18
Planning and Servicing Considerations ............................................................................................. 21
2.5.1 City of Barrie Official Plan ..................................................................................................... 21
2.5.2 Places to Grow ..................................................................................................................... 21
2.5.3 Provincial Policy Statement .................................................................................................. 21
2.5.4 Lake Simcoe Protection Plan ............................................................................................... 22
3.
Phase 1: Identification and Description of the Problem/ Opportunity .................................... 23
4.
Water Demands and Watermain Design Basis ........................................................................ 24
4.1
4.2
4.3
4.4
5.
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Watermain Design ............................................................................................................................. 24
Water Main Siting Guidelines ............................................................................................................ 24
Approach to Trenchless Crossing ..................................................................................................... 24
Open Cut ........................................................................................................................................... 25
Evaluation Framework and Criteria .......................................................................................... 26
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AECOM
City of Barrie
5.1
5.2
6.
8.3
11.3
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Public Notification .............................................................................................................................. 51
Public Information Centre – January 31, 2012 .................................................................................. 51
Comments Received and Responses ............................................................................................... 51
Project File Filing ............................................................................................................................... 52
Agency and First Nation Consultation ..................................................................................... 53
11.1
11.2
12.
Mitigation Measures ........................................................................................................................... 48
Monitoring .......................................................................................................................................... 50
Public Consultation ................................................................................................................... 51
10.1
10.2
10.3
10.4
11.
Rationale for Preferred Route ............................................................................................................ 44
Project Description ............................................................................................................................. 44
8.2.1 Temporary and Permanent Easement Requirements .......................................................... 44
8.2.2 Construction Cost Estimates ................................................................................................ 44
8.2.3 Geotechnical and Hydrogeological Considerations .............................................................. 45
8.2.4 Utilities .................................................................................................................................. 45
8.2.5 Approval Requirements ........................................................................................................ 45
8.2.5.1
Ministry of the Environment ................................................................................ 45
8.2.5.2
Ministry of Transportation ................................................................................... 46
8.2.5.3
Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport ............................................................... 46
8.2.5.4
Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority..................................................... 46
Project Schedule and Implementation ............................................................................................... 46
Environmental Effects, Mitigation Measures and Monitoring ................................................. 48
9.1
9.2
10.
Natural Environment .......................................................................................................................... 35
Social/Cultural Considerations .......................................................................................................... 36
Legal/Jurisdictional Considerations ................................................................................................... 37
Economic/Financial Considerations .................................................................................................. 37
Technical Considerations .................................................................................................................. 38
Preferred Watermain Route ....................................................................................................... 44
8.1
8.2
9.
Identification of Alternative Watermain Routes and Jack and Bore Pits ........................................... 28
Comparative Evaluation of Alternative Watermain Routes ..................................................... 35
7.1
7.2
7.3
7.4
7.5
8.
Development of Evaluation Framework and Criteria ......................................................................... 26
Use of Descriptive Information and Qualitative Evaluation ............................................................... 27
Phase 2: Identification of Alternative Watermain Routes........................................................ 28
6.1
7.
Sunnidale Road-Highway 400 Transmission
Watermain Crossing Municipal Class EA
Agency and First Nation Notification ................................................................................................. 53
Stakeholder and Review Agency Consultation ................................................................................. 53
11.2.1 Ministry of the Environment .................................................................................................. 53
11.2.2 Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority ....................................................................... 53
11.2.3 Ministry of Transportation ..................................................................................................... 53
First Nations Consultation.................................................................................................................. 54
11.3.1 Aboriginal Affairs Canada and Northern Development Canada ........................................... 54
11.3.2 Indian and Northern Affairs Canada ..................................................................................... 54
11.3.3 Hiawatha First Nation ........................................................................................................... 54
11.3.4 Alderville First Nation ............................................................................................................ 54
11.3.5 Chippewas of Rama First Nation .......................................................................................... 54
11.3.6 Curve Lake First Nation ........................................................................................................ 54
Conclusions and Recommendations........................................................................................ 56
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AECOM
City of Barrie
12.1
12.2
Sunnidale Road-Highway 400 Transmission
Watermain Crossing Municipal Class EA
Conclusions ....................................................................................................................................... 56
Recommendations ............................................................................................................................. 56
List of Figures
Figure 1
Overview of Municipal Class Environmental Assessment Planning Process ............................................ 9
Figure 2
Existing Land Uses................................................................................................................................... 16
Figure 3
Natural Environment Features ................................................................................................................. 20
Figure 4
Alternative Watermain Routes ................................................................................................................. 29
Figure 5
Alternative Watermain Route 1 ................................................................................................................ 30
Figure 6
Alternative Watermain Route 2 ................................................................................................................ 31
Figure 7
Alternative Watermain Route 3 ................................................................................................................ 32
Figure 8
Alternative Watermain Route 4 ................................................................................................................ 33
Figure 9
Alternative Watermain Route 5 ................................................................................................................ 34
Figure 10
Preferred Watermain Route ..................................................................................................................... 47
List of Tables
Table 1
Evaluation Components ........................................................................................................................... 26
Table 2
Evaluation Criteria .................................................................................................................................... 26
Table 3
Alternative Watermain Routes ................................................................................................................. 28
Table 4
Evaluation of Alternative Watermain Routes ........................................................................................... 40
Table 5
Proposed Mitigation Measures ................................................................................................................. 48
Appendices
Appendix A.
Appendix B.
Appendix C.
Appendix D.
Appendix E.
Appendix F.
Appendix G.
Appendix H.
Appendix I.
Appendix J.
Appendix K.
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Municipal Class Environmental Assessment Planning Process
City of Barrie Water Distribution System
Relevant Planning Information
Stage 1 Archaeological Assessment
Built Heritage and Cultural Landscape Assessment
Natural Environment Investigations
Cost Breakdown
Public Consultation 1
Project Notification Mail Out and Mail list
Public Consultation 2
Public Information Centre Notification Mail Out and Mail List
Public Responses Received
Notice of Study Completion
Geotechnical Technical Memorandum
Property Required for the Widening of Highway 400
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AECOM
City of Barrie
Sunnidale Road-Highway 400 Transmission
Watermain Crossing Municipal Class EA
Acronyms
ANSI
Area of Natural and Scientific Interest
Class EA
Class Environmental Assessment
City of Barrie The City
DWWP
Drinking Water Works Permit
EAA
Environmental Assessment Act
ESA
Environmentally Sensitive Area
ESR
Environmental Study Report
LSRCA
Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority
MEA
Municipal Engineers Association
MLD
Mega Litres per Day
MOE
Ministry of the Environment
MTO
Ministry of Transportation
PIC
Public Information Centre
PTTW
Permit to Take Water
RVH
Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre
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AECOM
City of Barrie
1.
Introduction/Background
1.1
Background
Sunnidale Road-Highway 400 Transmission
Watermain Crossing Municipal Class EA
The Corporation of the City of Barrie (the City) through its consultant
AECOM, has completed a Municipal Class Environmental
Assessment (Class EA) routing study for the establishment of a new
watermain that will cross Highway 400 in the area of Sunnidale Road
(see map). Analysis of the City’s water distribution system identified
the need to provide additional north to south transmission capacity in
the area of Sunnidale Road and Highway 400 that is required to
supply treated municipal water to the City’s downtown core and also
address security of supply.
In July 2009, the City completed a Municipal Class EA for
improvements to the City’s Zone 2 North Water System which
recommended the construction of a new reservoir in Sunnidale Park in association with watermain upgrades. The
proposed watermain will connect the new Sunnidale Reservoir (currently under construction) and the existing Anne
Street Reservoir to the distribution system south of Highway 400 improving the network distribution flows and
provide for security of supply.
The purpose of this Class EA routing study is to determine the most suitable Highway 400 crossing alignment for the
proposed 500mm diameter watermain through the Class EA planning process while having regard to Ministry of
Transportation (MTO) criteria for the future Sunnidale Road/Highway 400 bridge structure (related to future Highway
400 widening). As MTO will not allow the watermain to be placed on the bridge or within 25 metres of the bridge, the
watermain therefore has to be located outside of the existing right of way and as such, a Class EA planning process
is required.
1.2
Study Purpose and Objectives
The purpose of this Municipal Class EA study is to provide a comprehensive and environmentally sound planning
process which is open to public participation and to select the preferred route for the new watermain. Study
objectives include:
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Protection of the environment, as defined in the Environmental Assessment Act (EAA), through the wise
management of resources;

Extensive consultation with all affected and interested parties, including participation of a broad range of
stakeholders to allow for the sharing of ideas, education, testing of creative solutions and developing
alternatives;
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Facilitating dialogue between those with different or contrasting interests;
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AECOM
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City of Barrie
Sunnidale Road-Highway 400 Transmission
Watermain Crossing Municipal Class EA
Documentation of the study process in compliance with all phases of the Municipal Class EA planning
process; and
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Mitigation and monitoring to ensure minimal disruption during construction to residents, businesses and the
natural environment.
The need and justification for this EA was assessed at a project specific level of detail. The project scope for this
Schedule “B” (see Section 1.4.1) Class EA project is to identify watermain routing alternatives that are endorsed by
the majority of residents, acceptable to stakeholders, effective in achieving the goals and objectives of the study, and
sustainable over the long term.
1.3
Study Team Organization
This EA study was undertaken between the City and AECOM. General direction was provided by City
representatives with project team meetings being held at key points throughout the planning process. The project
team was comprised of the following individuals:
City of Barrie
R.S. Kahle
Manager of Design and Construction
D.M. James
Senior Project Engineer
Jeff Henry
Senior Project Technologist
AECOM
Peter Wills
Project Manager
Jared Kelly
Project Engineer (in Training)
Karl Grueneis
Senior Environmental Planner
Jessica Mollo
Environmental Planner
Jill deMan
Senior Ecologist
Additional subject-specific expertise was provided by Archaeological Assessments Limited (archaeology), Unterman
McPhail Associates (Cultural Built Heritage) and Peto MacCallum Ltd (geotechnical).
1.4
Municipal Class Environmental Assessment Process
All municipalities in Ontario, including the City of Barrie, are subject to the provisions of
the Environmental Assessment Act (EAA) and its requirements to prepare an
Environmental Assessment for applicable public works projects. The Ontario MEA
“Municipal Class Environmental Assessment” document (October 2000, as amended in
2007 and 2011) provides municipalities with a five-phase planning procedure approved
under the EAA to plan and undertake all municipal water, sewage, stormwater
management, and transportation projects that occur frequently, are usually limited in
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AECOM
City of Barrie
Sunnidale Road-Highway 400 Transmission
Watermain Crossing Municipal Class EA
scale, and have a predictable range of environmental impacts and applicable mitigation measures.
5 Phases
In Ontario, water projects are subject to the Municipal Class EA process and must follow a series of mandatory steps
outlined in the Municipal Class EA document. The Class EA consists of five phases, which include:

Phase 1 – Problem or Opportunity: Identify the problem or opportunity, need and justification;

Phase 2 – Alternative Solutions: Identify alternative solutions to the problem by taking into consideration
the existing environment, and establish the preferred solution taking into account public and agency review
and input;

Phase 3 – Alternative Design Concepts for Preferred Solution: Examine alternative methods of
implementing the preferred solution, based upon the existing environment, public and agency input,
anticipated environmental effects and methods of minimizing negative effects and maximizing positive
effects;

Phase 4 – Environmental Study Report: Document, in an Environmental Study Report (ESR) a summary
of the rationale, planning, design and consultation process of the project as established through the above
phases and make such documentation available for scrutiny by review agencies and the public; and

Phase 5 – Implementation: Complete contract drawings and documents, and proceed to construction and
operation; monitor construction for adherence to environmental provisions and commitments. Where special
conditions dictate, also monitor the operation of the complete facilities.
The Class EA process ensures that all projects are carried out with effectiveness, efficiently and fairness. This
process serves as a mechanism for understanding economic, social and environmental concerns while
implementing improvements to municipal infrastructure.
Mandatory Principles
The process followed not only adheres to the guidelines outlined by the Class EA document, but reflects the five
mandatory principles of Class EA planning under the EAA:
1.
Consultation with affected parties early on, such that the planning process is a co-operative venture;
2.
Consideration of a reasonable range of alternatives;
3.
Identification and consideration of the impacts of each alternative on all aspects of the environment;
4.
Systematic evaluation of alternatives in terms of their advantages and disadvantages to determine the
net environmental effects; and
5.
Provision of clear and complete documentation of the planning process, to allow “traceability” of decisionmaking with respect to the project.
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AECOM
City of Barrie
Sunnidale Road-Highway 400 Transmission
Watermain Crossing Municipal Class EA
Following these five principles ensures that the EA process is devoted to the prevention of problems and damage
through thorough planning and decision-making, recognizing that research and evaluation of possible impacts have
been taken into account prior to the implementation of the project. Figure 1 provides an overview of the Municipal
Class EA planning process.
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AECOM
City of Barrie
Sunnidale Road-Highway 400 Transmission
Watermain Crossing Municipal Class EA
Figure 1 Overview of Municipal Class Environmental Assessment Planning Process
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AECOM
City of Barrie
Sunnidale Road-Highway 400 Transmission
Watermain Crossing Municipal Class EA
Project Classes
The Class EA defines four types of projects and the processes required for each (referred to as Schedule A, A+, B,
or C). The selection of the appropriate schedule is dependent on the anticipated level of environmental impact, and
for some projects, the anticipated construction costs.
Projects are categorized according to their environmental significance and their effects on the surrounding
environment. Planning methodologies are described within the Class EA and are different according to Class type,
such as the following:
Schedule A: Projects are limited in scale, have minimal adverse environmental effects and include a number of
municipal maintenance and operational activities. These projects are pre-approved and may proceed to
implementation without following the full Class EA planning process. Schedule A projects generally include normal
or emergency operational and maintenance activities where environmental effects of these activities are usually
minimal. Examples of Schedule A projects include watermain and sewer extensions where all such facilities are
located within the municipal road allowance or an existing utility corridor and do not involve water crossings.
Schedule A+: The purpose of Schedule A+ is to ensure some type of public notification for certain projects that are
pre-approved under the Class EA. It is appropriate to inform the public of municipal infrastructure project(s) being
constructed or implemented in their area, however there would be no ability for the public to request a Part II Order2.
If the public has any comments, they should be directed to the municipal council where they would be more
appropriately addressed. Examples of Schedule A+ projects include pipe water crossings that are constructed by
trenchless methods.
Schedule B: These projects have the potential for some adverse environmental effects. The proponent is required
to undertake a screening process (Phases 1 and 2), involving mandatory contact with directly affected public and
with relevant government agencies to ensure that they are aware of the project and that their concerns are
addressed. If there are no outstanding concerns, then the proponent may proceed to implementation. Schedule B
projects generally include improvements and minor expansions to existing facilities. Examples of Schedule B
projects include activities such as the establishment of watermain extensions where such facilities are located
outside of an existing municipal road allowance or utility corridor or involve water crossings by open cut construction.
At the end of Phase 2, a Project File documenting the planning process followed through Phases 1 and 2 shall be
finalized and made available for public and agency review. However if the screening process raises a concern which
cannot be resolved, a Part II Order may be requested and considered by the Minister of the Environment;
alternatively, the proponent may elect voluntarily to plan the project as a Schedule C undertaking.
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Part II Order refers to a request to the Minister of the Environment for a project to comply with Part II (addresses Individual Environmental Assessments)
of the Environmental Assessment Act. The need for an Individual EA is based on the conclusion that based on predicted project impacts the MEA Class
EA planning process is not sufficient and a more comprehensive EA planning process is required. The requirement to prepare an Individual EA involves
the preparation of Terms of Reference and EA document that are submitted to the Ministry of the Environment (MOE), other government agencies and the
public for review.
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AECOM
City of Barrie
Sunnidale Road-Highway 400 Transmission
Watermain Crossing Municipal Class EA
Schedule C: Such projects have the potential for significant adverse environmental effects and must proceed under
the full planning and documentation procedures (i.e., Phases 1 to 4) specified in the Class EA document. Schedule
C projects require that an Environmental Study Report (ESR) be prepared and filed for review by the public and
review agencies. Schedule C projects typically include the siting-construction of major new facilities and major
expansions to existing facilities, such as water or wastewater treatment plants.
Appendix A further expands on the steps required to complete the Municipal Class EA planning process.
1.4.1 Project Planning Schedule
This Class EA was completed under the October 2000, as amended in 2007 and 2011 MEA Municipal Class EA
document. This project falls under the Schedule B planning process as it involves the establishment of a new
watermain where alignments are located outside of an existing road allowance or an existing utility corridor. As such
Phases 1 and 2 of the MEA Municipal Class EA planning process apply to this study.
1.4.2 Canadian Environmental Assessment Act Triggers
An environmental assessment under the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act may be required before a federal
authority takes action, for example, by providing funding, land or issuing an approval. Through this Municipal Class
EA planning process, no CEAA triggers were identified.
1.4.3 EA Documentation Filing
The documentation for a Schedule B project consists of a Project File Report, which is presented in this document.
The placement of the Project File Report for public review completes the planning and preliminary design stages of
the project.
The Project File Report is available for public review for a minimum thirty (30) calendar day period. A public notice
(Notice of Study Completion) is published to announce the commencement of the review period. Copies of the
Project File Report and all supporting documentation will be available from TBD to TBD during normal business
hours at the following locations:
City of Barrie
Clerk’s Office
1st Floor City Hall
70 Collier Street
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City of Barrie
Engineering Department
4th Floor City Hall
70 Collier Street
Barrie Public Library
Information Desk
60 Worsley Street
Barrie Public Library
Information Desk
48 Dean Avenue
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City of Barrie
Sunnidale Road-Highway 400 Transmission
Watermain Crossing Municipal Class EA
If after reviewing the Project File you have questions or concerns, please follow this procedure:
1.
Contact the following City of Barrie staff to discuss your questions/concerns:
Mr. Jeff Henry, C.E.T
Senior Project Technologist
City of Barrie
70 Collier Street, 4th Floor
Barrie, Ontario L4M 4T5
Tel: 705-739-4220 ext 4592, Fax: 705-739-4248
Email: [email protected]
2.
Arrange a meeting with the above if you have significant concerns that may require more detailed
explanations;
3.
If you raise major concerns, the City will attempt to resolve the issue(s). A mutually acceptable time
period for this meeting will be set. If the issues remain unresolved, you may request the Minister of the
Environment, by order, to require the City of Barrie to comply with Part II of the EAA before proceeding
with the project; this is called a Part II Order request. The Minister may make one of the following
decisions:

Deny the request with or without conditions;

Refer the matter to mediation; or

Require the City of Barrie to comply with Part II of the EAA by undertaking one of the following:

Set out directions with respect to preparing the Terms of Reference and an Individual EA for the
undertaking; or

Declare that the City (proponent) has satisfied the requirements for the preparation of a Terms
of Reference, however, the proponent must still prepare an Individual EA.
Requests must be submitted in writing to the Minister of the Environment at the following address within the 30-day
review period:
Minister’s Office
Ministry of the Environment
77 Wellesley Street West
11th Floor, Ferguson Block
Toronto ON
M7A 2T5
A copy of the request must be forwarded to the City of Barrie, addressed to the attention of Jeff Henry (address
provided above).
1.4.4 Consultation and Communications Program
As part of the planning process, several steps have been undertaken to inform government agencies, affected
landowners and the local community/general public of the project and to solicit any comments.
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Sunnidale Road-Highway 400 Transmission
Watermain Crossing Municipal Class EA
The MEA Municipal Class EA document outlines specific mandatory public and agency consultation contact points
and methods. In order to properly communicate the project and solicit feedback throughout the planning process,
the following activities were undertaken:

Newspaper notices for all project milestones;

Direct mailing (e.g. Notice of Study Commencement and Public Information Centre and Notice of Study
Completion) to stakeholders, affected land owners, review agencies and First Nations regarding project
milestones;

Holding a Public Information Centre (PIC) on January 31, 2012 to engage and obtain input from the
public/review agencies and stakeholders;

Making a draft Class EA project file report available to the public prior to holding the above noted PIC;

Posting project milestones (i.e. Notice of Study Commencement, PIC and Notice of Study Completion as
well as materials presented at the PIC) on the City’s website; and

Holding individual meetings with key affected review agencies (i.e., Ministry of Transportation) and City
departments and property owners, as required.
The above consultation and communications program outputs are further described in Sections 10 and 11.
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2.
Existing Conditions
2.1
Technical
Sunnidale Road-Highway 400 Transmission
Watermain Crossing Municipal Class EA
2.1.1 Existing Water Distribution System
Appendix B includes a city wide map of the City’s water infrastructure including the Sunnidale Road and Highway
400 corridor.
The existing water distribution system within the City of Barrie consists of approximately 600km of pipes ranging
from 32mm to 1200mm in diameter. The system delivers drinking water to a population of approximately 140,000
residents. As stated in the City of Barrie Drinking Water System 2010 Annual Report, the City has 12 wells in
production, 2 in-ground reservoirs, 3 water towers and 6 booster pumping stations feeding 5 major pressure zones
throughout the City. The City has commissioned a surface water treatment facility located on the south shore of
Kempenfelt Bay to meet expected long term water demands. Many components of the surface water treatment plant
are being designed and constructed based on the ultimate facility capacity of 240 mega litres/day (MLD). However,
the first phase of the facility has a capacity of 60MLD. The pressure zones consist of: Zone 1, 2North (2N), 3North
(3N), 2South (2S), and 3South (3S). The five main pressure zones are controlled by water levels in their respective
reservoirs. There are some smaller closed pressure zones which are controlled by pressure regulating valves. The
system water levels elevations range from 218 metres above sea level (MSL) to 316 MSL and refer to the
approximate ground elevations served by the existing pressure zones. Storage of potable water is supplied by 2
reservoirs (not including the future Sunnidale Reservoir) and 3 elevated tanks. There is at least one storage facility
per pressure zone.
2.1.2 Other Municipal Infrastructure
Other municipal infrastructure in the Sunnidale Road corridor include sanitary sewer, storm sewer, gas, utilities and
above ground hydro.
2.1.3 MTO Highway 400 and Sunnidale Road Corridor
While no date has been identified, MTO has plans to widen the Highway 400 corridor to 10 lanes through Barrie
which will require the replacement of several bridges including the Sunnidale Road bridge 3. As per Schedule E of
the Barrie Official Plan (2010)4 the Sunnidale Road has a planned ultimate road right of way of 46 metres, with the
exception of the area around Highway 400.
2.1.4 Road Network
Sunnidale Road is classified as a two lane north-south major collector road that traverses through the City of Barrie.
It connects to County Road 90 in the west and Wellington Street West in the south and provides an important link
between Essa Township and the City of Barrie. Sunnidale Road is used by a variety of users such as automobile,
3
4
Ministry of Transportation, Transportation Environmental Study Report.
The City of Barrie Official Plan, Planning Services Department, Office Consolidation March 2011.
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Sunnidale Road-Highway 400 Transmission
Watermain Crossing Municipal Class EA
truck and bicycle traffic to cross Highway 400. Within the study area, sidewalks exist on the east side of Sunnidale
Road to accommodate pedestrians. There is currently no accommodations for cyclists on Sunnidale Road.
Within the study area the posted speed limit on Sunnidale Road is 50km/hour with an annual average daily traffic of
10,900 (2008 est). At the southern limit of the study area the intersection of Sunnidale Road and Wellington Street
West is controlled by traffic signals while at the northern limit of the study area, the intersection of Letitia Street and
Sunnidale Road is controlled by a 4 way stop.
Wellington Street West is classified as a 4 lane east-west arterial road and also does not accommodate cyclists.
The Highway 400 Crossing Roads Class Environmental Assessment Document Phase 1 and 2 Report, June 2005 5
recommends that the future Sunnidale Road bridge structure proposed by the MTO to be able to accommodate 4
through lanes on Sunnidale Road. MTO is anticipating 10 lanes on Highway 400.
2.2
Socio-Economic
2.2.1 Existing Land Uses
Within the study area, land uses can be described as primarily residential (e.g., single family residences), natural
areas consisting of treed valley lands, commercial (e.g., Wellington Square commercial complex) and institutional
(e.g., First Christian Reform Church, Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre (RVH) Community Centre and Barrie
Medical Clinics). There are no current or historical waste disposal sites in the immediate study area. The provincial
400 series highway, Highway 400, runs through the study area with interchanges to the south at Dunlop Street West
and to the north at Bayfield Street. Other notable land use features in and immediately adjacent to the study area
include Sunnidale Park that is one of the largest natural open space parks in the City and is popular for passive
recreational uses. Located in an established residential neighbourhood, Sunnidale Park is delineated by Coulter
Street to the north-east, Sunnidale Road to the south, Cundles Road to northwest and Highway 400 to the east.
Consisting of 142 acres, Sunnidale Park is characterized by 70 acres open turf space (primarily consisting of the
former 9-hole golf course), 15 acres dedicated to the arboretum, 40 acres of heavily wooded ravine and 17 acres of
naturalized space including a cultural meadow/thicket. Sunnidale Park is heavily used for a range of activities and
supports a variety of recreational and leisure opportunities including walking, jogging, cross country running,
recreational cycling, tobogganing, dog walking and cross-country skiing. The park also offers wider community
based facilities in the form of the Dorian Parker Centre, the Arboretum, and an off-leash dog park. Sunnidale Park is
a significant open space that provides numerous users with a varied setting to pursue a range of recreational
opportunities. Kidd’s Creek is a significant land form that dominates the park site.
Figure 2 illustrates study area land uses within the study area.
5
City of Barrie, Highway 400 Crossing Roads Class EA Document. Phase 1 & 2 Report. Dillon Consulting, Ainley Group, RVA. June
2005
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Sunnidale Road-Highway 400 Transmission
Watermain Crossing Municipal Class EA
Figure 2 Existing Land Uses
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Sunnidale Road-Highway 400 Transmission
Watermain Crossing Municipal Class EA
2.2.2 Future Land Uses
The City of Barrie Official Plan (2011) designates the study area as primarily residential, open space, environmental
protection area and commercial. Schedule A of the Official Plan can be found in Appendix C. At this time, there
are no known major land use proposals in the study area other than the planned widening of Highway 400 and
subsequent replacement of the Sunnidale Road bridge. The First Christian Reform Church (on Shirley Avenue) is
considering an expansion to its facilities; however, no formal development application has been submitted to the City
at this time. Section 2.5.2 further describes planned growth for the City of Barrie.
2.3
Social/Cultural
2.3.1 Archaeological
A Stage 1 Archaeological Assessment6 was completed in June 2011 and determined that specific areas outside the
existing road allowances have archaeological resource potential. As such, a Stage 2 Archaeological Assessment
was recommended in these areas.
Refer to Appendix D for the Stage 1 Archaeological Report.
2.3.2 Cultural Built Heritage
A Built Heritage and Cultural Landscape Assessment7 was completed in September 2011 and determined that a
total of 7 cultural heritage resources were found that includes 6 cultural heritage landscapes and 1 built heritage
resource of forty years and older. The resources also included 5 residential landscapes, 1 major transportation
corridor and 2 individual residences. One property (96 Sunnidale Road) at Sunnidale Road and Shirley Avenue is
designated under the City’s Heritage register.
The assessment confirmed that there are no provincially or federally designated heritage properties or cemeteries
within the study area.
Refer to Appendix E for the Built Heritage and Cultural Landscape Assessment.
2.4
Natural Environment
Figure 3 presents dominant natural heritage features in the study area. The study area includes the Kidd Creek
watershed with steep valley lands on the west side of Sunnidale Road (north side of Highway 400). Ground
elevation is highest on the north side of Highway 400 and drops to the south. High groundwater conditions exist on
the east and west side of Sunnidale Road, primarily related to the Kidd Creek watercourse system. All land uses
within the study area are served by municipal water and do not rely on groundwater. The following provides a
summary of terrestrial and aquatic features found in the study area which are further documented in Appendix F.
6
The Stage 1 Archaeological Assessment of the Sunnidale Road-Highway 400 Watermain Crossing, City of Barrie, County of Simcoe.
Archaeological Assessments Ltd. June 2011.
7
Interim Report: Existing Conditions: Built Heritage and Cultural Heritage Landscapes, Municipal Class EA Sunnidale Road Highway
400 Transmission Watermain, City of Barrie, Ontario. Unterman McPhail Associates. September 2011.
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2.4.1 Terrestrial
In terms of trees and vegetation, non urban areas are characterized by mature mixed deciduous trees with the area
north of Highway 400 also including coniferous species. Street/boulevard trees along Sunnidale Road include sugar
maple, Norway maple, Norway spruce, black walnut and whiteburch. Specifically to the Heritage House, located at
96 Sunnidale Road there are trees classified as century trees and include sugar maple, white ash and black walnut.
The mature woodland located north of Highway 400, west of Sunnidale Road includes sugar maple, red oak and
white ash tree species.
2.4.2 Aquatic
A fish habitat assessment was completed in June 2011 on the tributary flowing from Highway 400 to Wellington
Street West. Correspondence with Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority (LSRCA) confirmed that the
watercourse in question is a tributary of Kidd’s Creek a coldwater system that is also regulated by LSRCA.
The tributary is a permanent watercourse that has its headwaters just west of the Highway 400 and naturally
meanders to the east side Wellington Street West at which point it becomes a channelized tributary, and eventually
flows through the culvert to the south side of Wellington Street West. The headwaters of the tributary start in a
wetland area that is approximately 100m by 50m. Watercress was noted in the wetland area which can indicate
potential groundwater upwellings.
Although no fish were observed the watercourse does have the potential to be direct fish habitat, and can currently
be defined as indirect fish habitat as it can contribute nutrients to the systems downstream.
2.4.3 Species at Risk
A review of the Ministry of Natural Resources Natural Heritage Information Centre database was completed and
identified 10 Species at Risk within the City of Barrie and includes:

Cerulean Warbler (Dendroica Cerlulea);

Henslow’s Sparrow (Ammodramus Henslowii);

Eastern Musk Turtle (Sternotherus Odoratus);

Lake Sturgeon (Acipenser Fulvescens pop. 3);

Arrow Clubtail (Stylurus Spiniceps);

Plains Emerald (Somatochlora Ensigera);

Hackberry Emperor (Asterocampa Celtis);

Fogg’s Goosefoot (Chenopodium Foggii);

Houghton’s Flatsedge (Cyperus Houghtonii); and
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City of Barrie
Sunnidale Road-Highway 400 Transmission
Watermain Crossing Municipal Class EA
Ram’s-head Lady’s Slipper (Cypripedium Arietinum).
Additional background information was reviewed and revealed no species at risk in the tributary according to the
Department of Fisheries and Oceans mapping.
In addition, no species at risk were identified during the terrestrial investigations, however, the presence of a locally
rare Ginger Plant was observed at some spots within the valley.
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Sunnidale Road-Highway 400 Transmission
Watermain Crossing Municipal Class EA
Figure 3 Natural Environment Features
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2.5
City of Barrie
Sunnidale Road-Highway 400 Transmission
Watermain Crossing Municipal Class EA
Planning and Servicing Considerations
2.5.1 City of Barrie Official Plan
The City of Barrie adopted a new Official Plan on June 22, 2009 in conformity with the Provincial Growth Plan:
Places to Grow (discussed below). This plan was also approved by Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing in April
2010. An Official Plan is a long range planning document that guides the land in the City as well as its future growth
and development.
With respect to future growth in the City of Barrie, on January 1, 2010 Bill 196, the Barrie-Innisfil
Boundary Adjustment Act came into effect which extends the southern boundary of the City of include 2,293
hectares of land previously owned by the Town of Innisfil. The City is currently completing a growth management
study that will guide future population growth within the City. As mentioned earlier, the purpose of this proposed
watermain is to supply treated municipal water to the city’s downtown core which is part of the City’s designated
urban growth centre.
Section 5.1.2.1 (General Policies for Servicing and Transportation) of the Official Plan states that “public utilities or
any other utilities shall be permitted within any land use designation of this plan. Where the location of public utilities
on lands designated Environmental Protection or Open Space is efficient, cost effective and in the public interest, an
Environmental Impact Study shall be undertaken”.
Section 3.5.1 (b) (Natural Heritage, Natural Hazards and Resources) of the Official Plan states “to promote the
protection of the natural vegetated areas as a contiguous unit”.
Refer to Appendix C for Official Plan excerpts including previously described land use designations.
2.5.2 Places to Grow
In January 2012, the Province released an updated Growth Plan 8 for the Greater Golden Horseshoe. Section 6 of
the Growth Plan identifies the Simcoe Sub-area as being comprised of the County of Simcoe and the cities of Barrie
and Orillia. The City of Barrie has been identified as the principal primary settlement area. In addition, the City’s
downtown is the only designated Urban Growth Centre in the Simcoe Sub-area. The propose watermain will
improve supply to the downtown area.
The growth plan also provides 2031 population and employment allocations for the City of Barrie as being 210,000
and 101,000 respectively.
Refer to Appendix C for excerpts from the Places to Grow Plan.
2.5.3 Provincial Policy Statement
The Provincial Policy Statement (Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing, March 2005) requires that municipalities
promote “efficient development and land use patterns which sustain the financial well being of the Province and
municipalities over the long term and promote cost effective development standards to minimize land consumption
8
Places to Grow, Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe 2006, Office Consolidation, January 2012. Ministry of Infrastructure.
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and servicing costs”9. In order that these objectives may reasonably be achieved, the Provincial Policy Statement
encourages municipalities to focus growth into defined ‘settlement’ areas where a full level of water and sewer
services are or can reasonably be made available. The Provincial Policy Statement also directs that the long-term
ecological functions and biodiversity of natural heritage systems should be maintained, restored or where possible
improved.
2.5.4 Lake Simcoe Protection Plan
In June 2009 the province released the Lake Simcoe Protection Plan (LSPP). The plan provides a roadmap to help
restore and protect the health of Lake Simcoe by promoting immediate action to address threats to the ecosystem,
such as excessive phosphorous in the lake, and targeting new and emerging causes of stress to Lake Simcoe such
as invasive species and climate change. The plan is supported by a regulation that builds on and supports Ontario’s
framework for sustainable growth in communities in the Lake Simcoe watershed. Implementation of the preferred
undertaking (e.g. new water supply) must comply with the plan’s policies and regulations. As per LSPP policy 5.3SA municipalities including Barrie, that are part of the Lake Simcoe watershed must prepare and begin
implementation of a water conservation and efficiency plan by June 2014.
9
The Provincial Policy Statement is issued under the authority of Section 3 of the Planning Act. It provides direction on matters of
provincial interest related to land use planning and development, and promotes the provincial “policy-led” planning system (Source:
Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing).
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City of Barrie
Sunnidale Road-Highway 400 Transmission
Watermain Crossing Municipal Class EA
Phase 1: Identification and Description of the Problem/
Opportunity
Phase one of the five-phase Class EA planning process requires the proponent (e.g., the City) of an undertaking to
first document factors leading to the conclusion that the improvement is needed, and ultimately, develop a clear
statement of the identified problem to be investigated.
As such, the Problem/Opportunity Statement is the principle starting point in the undertaking of a Class EA and
becomes the central theme and integrating element of the project. It also assists in setting the scope of the project.
Problem/Opportunity Statement
The problem statement for the Sunnidale Road-Highway 400 Watermain Crossing Municipal Class EA is defined as
follows:
The City of Barrie drinking water master plan recognizes a need to provide additional water supply to the
downtown core from the Anne Street Reservoir and the Sunnidale Road Reservoir. In order to meet short
and long term water demands, to complete the system expansion and address security of supply, a new
500mm diameter watermain is required to connect the existing watermain at the intersection of Sunnidale
Road and Letitia Street and a proposed watermain at the intersection of Sunnidale Road and Wellington
Street West within the corridor of Sunnidale Road and Highway 400.
In order to address the above, the City initiated this Class EA planning process in 2011 which identifies and
evaluates alternative solutions and accordingly addresses the above statement.
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Sunnidale Road-Highway 400 Transmission
Watermain Crossing Municipal Class EA
4.
Water Demands and Watermain Design Basis
4.1
Watermain Design
In order to meet projected service area demands as documented in the City’s Water Storage and Distribution Master
Plan, the proposed watermain will be a 500mm diameter pipe. The new pipe will be either concrete pressure pipe or
ductile iron and will also include valve chambers on both sides of Highway 400.
4.2
Water Main Siting Guidelines
The following siting guidelines were used to identify alternative watermain routes:


For all routes, connection points are as follows:

North side of Highway 400 - Letitia Street and Sunnidale Road; and

South side of Highway 400 - Wellington Street West and Sunnidale Road.
Watermain routing is based on following existing road right-of-ways and establishing new utility
corridors.

Where necessary, segments outside of the existing road right-of-ways were identified to avoid future
conflicts with the future MTO Sunnidale Road bridge structure.

Routes will be evaluated based on identifying constructability issues such as study area topography,
ground elevation, water table and soil conditions.
In addition to alternative routing options, the Do Nothing alternative was also considered and subsequently
screened out from further consideration as it does not solve the problem statement.
4.3
Approach to Trenchless Crossing
Ontario Ministry of Transportation rarely allows open-cut excavations across Series 400 highways. Further, the
Ministry also dissuades infrastructure such as watermain, sewers or utilities to be attached onto a structure crossing
over the Highway, such as a bridge.
In this case, MTO officials have already
advised the City of Barrie that trenchless
technologies must be utilized to install the
proposed watermain between the Highway
right of way limits. This watermain must also
be installed within a steel casing at a minimum
depth of 5.0 metres below the centreline
elevation of the Highway to protect the
roadway should the watermain pipe ever break.
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The proposed watermain is to be a 500mm diameter pipe, most likely a concrete pressure pipe. The casing size is
likely to be 1300mm in diameter (minimum). Jack & bore construction is a trenchless construction methodology
successfully used to install casings under roadways, highways and watercourses for various applications. For this
case, jack & bore should be feasible for the watermain crossing under Highway 400.
The jack and bore operation involves the siting of sending and receiving pits that typically measure 10x5 metres with
a suitable surrounding working area compound that would be enclosed by fencing or hoarding. The compound will
also require an access road to remove excavated material and bring construction material in.
An encroachment permit will be required from MTO prior to any construction.
4.4
Open Cut
The remainder of the watermain will be installed by typical open cut construction method. The open cut working area
will advance at approximately 20-30 metres per day and is about 10 metres
wide (about half a typical road allowance). Within the working area a backhoe
is used to excavate a trench wide enough for the watermain and shoring
requirements. Watermain sections are then installed and the trench is
backfilled.
Open Cut Watermain Construction in
Trench Box
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5.
Evaluation Framework and Criteria
5.1
Development of Evaluation Framework and Criteria
Evaluation criteria were developed, including the following environmental components that address the broad
definition of the environment described in the EAA10.
An evaluation framework was developed and is identified in Table 1.
Table 1
Evaluation Components
Description
Component
 Component having regard for protecting the natural and physical
components of the environment (i.e. air, land, water and biota) including
the natural heritage-environmentally sensitive areas.
 Component that evaluates potential effects on residences,
neighbourhoods, businesses, community character, social cohesion,
community features and historical/archaeological and heritage
components.
 Component that considers technical suitability and other engineering
aspects of the water system including operations.
 Component that considers land requirements for each alternative.
Natural Environmental
Social/Cultural
Technical
Legal/Jurisdictional
 Component that compares the potential costs of constructing and
operating the alternatives in addition to potential impact to businesses.
Economic/Financial
Table 2 presents evaluation criteria based on the above components used to evaluate the alternative solutions.
Table 2
Evaluation Criteria
Criteria
Evaluation Criteria
Natural Environmental
Potential Effects on Water Resources
 Fisheries/aquatic habitat (e.g., number and type of watercourse crossings, changes to
water levels/base flow contribution); and
 Groundwater management (e.g., potential short term water taking, including the need
for MOE Permit to Take Water).
Potential Effects on Terrestrial Features
 Proximity to wetlands, ESAs, ANSIs and designated natural areas;
 Woodlands, trees and other terrestrial vegetation (e.g., number and significance of
trees removed and/or disturbed, extent of loss/disruption to vegetation);
 Sensitive species habitat (e.g., proximity to vulnerable, threatened, endangered or
locally/regionally rare amphibians, birds or other wildlife); and
 Crossing of valley lands including floodplains and meander belts (e.g., potential
flooding and erosion risk).
 Potential for disruption (e.g., dust, noise, vibration, property access and ability to
maintain existing services) to residences, businesses, community facilities and future
land uses during construction;
 Temporary traffic impacts during construction including expected lane closures (e.g.,
nature/number/direction of open lanes, current and expected levels of service); and
 Potential for loss and/or disruption to archaeological and built heritage resources (i.e.,
significance and ability to mitigate).
Social/Cultural
10The Environmental Assessment Act (Section 1 (c) (i) to (vi)) defines the “environment” as: “air, land, water, plant and animal life including humans; the
social and cultural conditions that influence the life of humans or a community; any building, structure, machine or other device or thing made by humans;
any solid, liquid, gas, odour, heat, sound, vibration or radiation resulting directly or indirectly from human activities, or; any part or combination of the
foregoing and the interrelationships between any two or more of them, in or of Ontario.” This definition of the environment is used and is reflected in the
environmental components used in the evaluation of transmission watermain routes.
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Evaluation Criteria
Criteria
Legal/Jurisdictional
Economic/Financial
Technical
5.2
 Compliance with applicable planning policies (e.g., Official Plans, LSRCA regulations,
MOE, MTO); and
 Potential land requirements, including property purchases and temporary and
permanent easements.
 Estimated construction costs;
 Estimated operating costs; and
 Potential cost of property acquisition.
 Constructability (e.g., length of watermain, number of watermain bends);
 Conflicts with existing utilities and infrastructure and ability to maintain existing
services;
 Construction methods (e.g., open cut, trenchless);
 Complexity of staging areas around trenchless shafts (e.g., tree removals, steep
terrain, poor soil conditions); and
 Conflict with recent infrastructure improvements (e.g., road resurfacing) or coordination opportunities with planned infrastructure improvements.
Use of Descriptive Information and Qualitative Evaluation
An assessment of each alternative watermain route was completed based on the above evaluation criteria, and then
ranked based on the evaluation. The evaluation methodology is not based on a numerical ranking system but rather
the professional expertise of the project team. To ensure statistical validity, a numerical approach would have to
strictly adhere to statistical methods that are often difficult to apply in a multi-faceted issue such as a Municipal Class
EA. Instead, a descriptive or qualitative evaluation has been used to consider the suitability of each watermain route
and associated trenchless shafts. In this respect, the trade-offs made between alternatives are described in this
project file, and these trade-offs form the rationale for the identification of the preferred watermain route and
associated shafts. Trade-offs involve forfeiting an advantage or accepting a disadvantage to address a higher
priority consideration. For information purposes only, the alternatives have been ranked in order of preference
(based on advantages/disadvantages) under the discussion with respect to each aspect of the environment.
As shown on the following evaluation summary tables (end of Section 7), the following rating symbols were used:
Most Preferred
Preferred
Moderately Preferred
Somewhat Preferred
Least Preferred
No Difference
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6.
Phase 2: Identification of Alternative Watermain Routes
6.1
Identification of Alternative Watermain Routes and Jack and Bore Pits
Based on the previously described watermain siting guidelines (Section 4.2), the following alternative watermain
routes were identified and described as shown on the following Figures 4 to 9 and described in the following Table
3.
Table 3
Alternative Watermain Routes
Route
1
Description
 Connection point at Wellington Street West and Sunnidale Road intersection
 North on Sunnidale Road
 Cross Highway 400 via Sunnidale Road west side easements
 Return to Sunnidale Road, proceed north to connection point at Sunnidale Road and Letitia Street
intersection
2
 Connection point at Wellington Street West and Sunnidale Road intersection
 West on Wellington Street West to Eccles Street North
 Continue on Eccles Street North to Highway 400
 Cross Highway 400 via Sunnidale Road west side easements
 Return to Sunnidale Road, proceed north to connection point at Sunnidale Road and Letitia Street
intersection
3
 Connection point at Wellington Street West and Sunnidale Road intersection
 North on Sunnidale Road
 Cross Highway 400 via Sunnidale Road east side easements
 Return to Sunnidale Road, proceed north to connection point at Sunnidale Road and Letitia Street
intersection
4
 Connection point at Wellington Street West and Sunnidale Road intersection
 West on Wellington Street West to natural area (west side of Highway 400 and west of Eccles Street North)
 Cross Highway 400 via Sunnidale Road west side easement
 Return to Sunnidale Road, proceed north to connection point at Sunnidale Road and Letitia Street
intersection
5
 Connection point at Wellington Street West and Sunnidale Road, west on Wellington Street West to
Wellington Square parking lot (office complex)
 Follow alignment along edge of Wellington Square parking lot
 Cross Highway 400 via easement to the First Christian Reform Church parking lot and wooded area
 Follow edge of Church parking lot to Shirley Avenue
 Return to Sunnidale Road via Shirley Avenue to connection point at Sunnidale Road and Letitia Street
intersection
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AECOM
City of Barrie
Sunnidale Road-Highway 400 Transmission
Watermain Crossing Municipal Class EA
Figure 4 Alternative Watermain Routes
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AECOM
City of Barrie
Sunnidale Road-Highway 400 Transmission
Watermain Crossing Municipal Class EA
Figure 5 Alternative Watermain Route 1
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AECOM
City of Barrie
Sunnidale Road-Highway 400 Transmission
Watermain Crossing Municipal Class EA
Figure 6 Alternative Watermain Route 2
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AECOM
City of Barrie
Sunnidale Road-Highway 400 Transmission
Watermain Crossing Municipal Class EA
Figure 7 Alternative Watermain Route 3
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AECOM
City of Barrie
Sunnidale Road-Highway 400 Transmission
Watermain Crossing Municipal Class EA
Figure 8 Alternative Watermain Route 4
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AECOM
City of Barrie
Sunnidale Road-Highway 400 Transmission
Watermain Crossing Municipal Class EA
Figure 9 Alternative Watermain Route 5
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AECOM
7.
City of Barrie
Sunnidale Road-Highway 400 Transmission
Watermain Crossing Municipal Class EA
Comparative Evaluation of Alternative Watermain Routes
The evaluation of alternative watermain routes was undertaken through the use of an evaluation table as presented
in Table 4 (end of Section 7). The following presents an overview of the advantages and disadvantages of each
route and also provides a ranking of the routes based on each environmental category.
7.1
Natural Environment
Potential Effects on Water Resources
Fisheries/aquatic habitat (e.g., number and type of watercourse crossings, change to water levels/base flow
contribution)
With the exception of Route 4, none of the routes involve water crossings, however, Routes 1, 2, and 4 are in close
proximity to a watercourse.
As such, Route 3 ranked the highest while Route 4 was the lowest.
Groundwater management (e.g., potential short term water taking, including the need for MOE Permit to
Take Water)
With the exception of Route 3, moderate to significant dewatering is expected for all routes related to the
construction of the Highway 400 crossing. Hydrogeological investigations will be completed at detailed design to
determine the amount of groundwater taking that is required and the need for a MOE Permit to Take Water11.
Therefore, Route 3 ranked the highest while Routes 1, 4 and 5 were the lowest.
Potential Effects on Terrestrial Features
Proximity to wetlands, ESAs, ANSIs and designated natural areas
Routes 1, 2, and 4 all run through an undesignated wetland area, while Route 3 is not near the wetland and Route 5
is adjacent to the wetland. There is a designated natural area west of Eccles Street, which all of the routes also
come into close proximity to, with the exception of Route 3. There are no ESA’s or ANSI’s in the area.
Considering the above, Routes 3 and 5 ranked the highest while Route 4 was the lowest.
Woodlands, trees and other terrestrial vegetation (e.g., number and significance of trees removed and/or
disturbed, extent of loss/disruption to vegetation)
All routes have the potential for removal or damage to street/boulevard and private property trees. For all of the
Routes, with the exception of Route 3, significant tree removal is necessary for the Highway 400 crossing.
As a result, Route 3 was the highest while Route 4 was the lowest.
Sensitive species habitat (e.g., proximity to vulnerable, threatened, endangered or locally/regionally rare
amphibians, birds or other wildlife)
11
A Permit to Take Water is required if water taking exceeds 50,000L/day.
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AECOM
City of Barrie
Sunnidale Road-Highway 400 Transmission
Watermain Crossing Municipal Class EA
No listed Species at Risk or sensitive species habitat were identified along all of the routes. Highway 400 and
Sunnidale Road valley lands are part of a larger wildlife corridor. All routes involve construction in valley lands with
the exception of Route 3. Construction in valley lands will result in corridor fragmentation, edge effects, disruption to
wildlife movements and introduction of invasive species.
Therefore, Routes 3 and 5 ranked the highest while Routes 1, 2 and 4 were the lowest.
Crossing of valley lands including floodplains and meander belts (e.g., potential flooding and erosion risk)
Routes 1, 2, 4 and 5 all involve construction in valley lands and within the regulated floodplain. Route 3 involves
some construction within the regulated floodplain, but avoids crossing valley lands.
As such, Route 3 was ranked the highest while Route 4 was the lowest.
7.2
Social/Cultural Considerations
Potential for disruption (e.g., dust, noise, vibration, property access and ability to maintain existing
services) to residences, businesses, community facilities and future land uses during construction
All of the routes are predominately characterized by some amount of single family residential development. A few
houses along Routes 1, 2, and 4 will experience greater disruption than those residences on Routes 3 and 5 as a
portion of the route follows residential backyards. Route 3, will require the purchase-acquisition of two (2) houses
(one on each side of Highway 400) to allow for the trenchless shafts which will occupy most of the two (2) properties
front yards, while Route 5 will impact access and parking for businesses (Wellington Square) and community
facilities (First Christian Reform Church).
For all the routes, no active development proposals have been identified other than the First Christian Reform
Church preliminary expansion plans which currently have no formal status.
As such, Routes 2, 3 and 5 were ranked the highest while Routes 1and 4 were the lowest.
Temporary traffic impacts during construction including expected lane closures (e.g., nature/number/
direction of open lanes, current and expected levels of service)
Sunnidale Road experiences the highest traffic volumes. For all of the routes, it may be possible to maintain two
lanes of traffic (1 in each direction) on their respective Sunnidale Road alignments. The same applies for Wellington
Street West (Routes 2, 4 and 5). This will be confirmed at detailed design. Given its narrow road right of way,
Eccles Street (Route 2) will necessitate a temporary road closure (open to local traffic only).
For the non Sunnidale Road and Wellington Street West alignments related to Routes 2, 4 and 5 that use local
roads, traffic would be restricted to one lane alternating for both directions with the use of signals.
Based on the above, Routes 4 and 5 were ranked the highest while Routes 1 and 3 were the lowest.
Potential for loss and/or disruption to archaeological and built heritage resources (i.e., significance and
ability to mitigate)
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AECOM
City of Barrie
Sunnidale Road-Highway 400 Transmission
Watermain Crossing Municipal Class EA
For all Routes, two areas of archaeological resource potential were identified, resulting in the need for a Stage 2
Archaeological Assessment during detailed design.
Within the study area, six (6) cultural heritage landscapes, one (1) designated built heritage resource, five (5)
residential streetscapes and one (1) transportation corridor was found in the study area.
As all of these features are common to each of the routes and therefore, all routes were all ranked the same.
7.3
Legal/Jurisdictional Considerations
Compliance with applicable planning policies (e.g., Official Plans, LSRCA regulations, MOE, MTO)
All routes are in compliance with the City of Barrie Official Plan policies and require MTO and MOE approvals. All
Routes also require LSRCA permits under Ontario Regulation 179/06, however, Route 4 will have the most difficult
LSRCA permitting requirements due to the crossing and close proximity of Kidds Creek tributary.
As a result, Routes 1, 2, 3 and 5 were ranked the highest while Route 4 was the lowest.
Potential land requirements, including property purchases and temporary and permanent easements
Temporary and permanent easements are required for all routes from some property owners including the First
Christian Reform Church and Wellington Square (Route 5) which may be difficult to obtain based on parking
displacement and access disruptions. Route 3 will require the purchase-acquisition of two (2) properties containing
single family residences (one on each side of Highway 400) to accommodate the trenchless crossing and future
valve chamber. Regarding these 2 properties, it is important to note that the 2 houses in question will be ultimately
required for the future MTO Highway 400 widening including the new Sunnidale Road bridge. An encroachment
permit will also be required from MTO.
Therefore, Routes 1, 2 and 4 were ranked the highest, while Route 3 was the lowest.
7.4
Economic/Financial Considerations
Estimated construction costs
Preliminary construction costs were estimated for each of the proposed route options as included in Appendix G,
and are as follows:

Route 1 = $ 2,080,400.00

Route 2 = $ 2,294,000.00

Route 3 = $ 2,522,300.00

Route 4 = $ 2,055,350.00

Route 5 = $ 2,718,875.00
Routes 1 and 4 have the lowest watermain construction costs, however, the cost associated with setting up the
staging areas are high. Route 5 is the highest cost based on the cost of setting up the staging areas and high costs
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AECOM
City of Barrie
Sunnidale Road-Highway 400 Transmission
Watermain Crossing Municipal Class EA
for open cut due to longer route length. Routes 2 and 3 have moderate costs based on the set up of staging areas
and the cost for open cut (shorter length).
Therefore, Routes 1, 2 and 4 were ranked the highest while Routes 3 and 5 were the lowest.
Estimated operating costs
There is a potential need for a booster pumping station depending on hydraulics of each of the routes. This will be
determined during preliminary design.
As such, the routes were all ranked the same.
Potential cost of property acquisition
Route 3 has the highest property acquisition costs related to acquiring the properties (residences) on either side of
Highway 400. Route 5 has high to moderate costs, Route 1 has moderate costs and Routes 2 and 4 have the least
costs.
Therefore, Routes 2 and 4 were ranked the highest while Route 3 was the lowest.
7.5
Technical Considerations
Constructability (e.g., length of watermain, number of watermain bends)
Route 3 is the shortest in length with the least amount of bends. Route 5 is the longest with the most amount of
bends. Route 1 is the second shortest with the same amount of bends as Route 3. Route 2 is 850 metres with the
same amount of bends as Routes 1 and 3. Route 4 is the second longest with a few less bends that Route 5.
As such, Route 3 was ranked the highest while Route 4 and 5 were ranked the lowest.
Conflicts with existing utilities and infrastructure and ability to maintain existing services
Routes 1, 2, 3 and 4 all have conflicts with existing utilities at the intersection of Wellington Street West and
Sunnidale Road, while Route 5 generally minimizes infrastructure conflicts. Routes 1, 2 and 4 also have
infrastructure crossings from the north bore pit to Sunnidale Road.
As such, Routes 4 and 5 were ranked the highest while Routes 1 and 3 were the lowest.
Construction methods (e.g., open cut, trenchless)
All of the routes require jack and bore construction for the crossing of Highway 400 and all areas outside of the bore
pit locations are to be open cut.
Considering the amount of watermain that will use the Sunnidale Road alignment (preferred), Routes 1 and 3 were
ranked the highest while Route 4 was the lowest.
Complexity of staging areas around trenchless shafts (e.g., tree removals, steep terrain, poor soil condition)
Route 3 will likely need to obtain two (2) residential properties for the construction of the jack and bore pits and will
require the deepest pits for the casing, but will have the shortest horizontal length under Highway 400.
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AECOM
City of Barrie
Sunnidale Road-Highway 400 Transmission
Watermain Crossing Municipal Class EA
Route 5 could use the Wellington Square parking lot for the south staging area and church parking lot for the north
staging area. Access to the north jack and bore pit requires tree clearing and difficult access as a result of steep
slopes.
Route 1 could use Eccles Street to access the south pit while access to the north pit will be difficult due to 96
Sunnidale Road and slopes. Construction activities to and from pits crossing Highway 400 will require tree clearing
for set up.
For Route 2, access to the south pit will be via Eccles Street while access to the north pit will be difficult due to 96
Sunnidale Road and steep slopes. Construction activities to and from pits crossing Highway 400 will also require
tree clearing for set up.
Route 4 will impact ecologically sensitive areas that contain organic soils and has significant groundwater and voids.
This route also have the most trees to be removed, which will likely not be permitted within the LSRCA regulated
area. Access to the north pit will be difficult due to 96 Sunnidale Road and slopes. The south pit will be located in
wetlands, where dewatering will be required.
Therefore, Route 3 was ranked the highest while Routes 2 and 4 were ranked the lowest.
Conflict with recent infrastructure improvements (e.g., road resurfacing) or coordination opportunities with
planned infrastructure improvements
Routes 1, 3, 4 and 5 do not involve disruption to recent road improvements. Route 2 involves watermain
construction on Eccles Street, which was recently fully reconstructed by the City. All of the Routes have the
potential to be coordinated with the future Sunnidale Road widening.
Based on the above, Routes 1 and 3 were ranked the highest while Route 2 was the lowest.
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AECOM
Table 4
City of Barrie
Sunnidale Road-Highway 400 Transmission Watermain Crossing Municipal Class EA
Evaluation of Alternative Watermain Routes
Alternative Watermain Routes
Evaluation Criteria

Route 1
Connection point at Wellington Street West and Sunnidale
Road intersection

Route 2
Connection point at Wellington Street West and Sunnidale
Road intersection

Route 3
Connection point at Wellington Street West and Sunnidale
Road intersection


North on Sunnidale Road

West on Wellington Street to Eccles Street North

North on Sunnidale Road


Cross Highway 400 via Sunnidale Road west side
easements

Continue on Eccles Street North to Highway 400



Cross Highway 400 via Sunnidale Road east side
easements
Return to Sunnidale Road, proceed north to connection
point at Sunnidale Road and Letitia Street intersection
Cross Highway 400 via Sunnidale Road west side
easements

Return to Sunnidale Road, proceed north to connection
point at Sunnidale Road and Letitia Street intersection



Return to Sunnidale Road, proceed north to connection
point at Sunnidale Road and Letitia Street intersection
Route 4
Connection point at Wellington Street West and Sunnidale
Road intersection

Route 5
Connection point at Wellington Street West and Sunnidale
Road, west on Wellington Street to Wellington Square
parking lot (office complex)
West on Wellington Street to natural area (west side of
Highway 400 and west of Eccles Street North)

Follow alignment along edge of Wellington Square
parking lot
Cross Highway 400 via Sunnidale Road west side
easement

Cross Highway 400 via easement to the First Christian
Reform Church parking lot and wooded area
Return to Sunnidale Road, proceed north to connection
point at Sunnidale Road and Letitia Street intersection

Follow edge of Church parking lot to Shirley Avenue

Return to Sunnidale Road via Shirley Avenue to
connection point at Sunnidale Road and Letitia Street
intersection
NATURAL ENVIRONMENT
Potential effects on water
resources
Fisheries/aquatic habitat (e.g.,

number and type of
watercourse crossings, changes
to water levels/base flow

contribution)
Contains no water crossings, however construction of
Highway 400 crossing is in close proximity to watercourse
providing indirect fish habitat.

Score: 2

Score: 3

Difficult groundwater conditions expected at Highway 400
crossing related to wetland area at Eccles Street North
sending/receiving pit area.

Difficult groundwater conditions expected at Highway 400
crossing related to wetland at Eccles Street North
sending/receiving pit area.

Significant dewatering will be required for construction of
the Highway 400 pipe.

Significant dewatering will be required for construction of
the Highway 400 pipe.

Complete hydrogeological investigations during detailed
design to determine how much water taking will be
required.

Complete hydrogeological investigations during detailed
design to determine how much water taking will be
required.

PTTW will be determined by hydrogeological investigation
findings.

PTTW determined based on hydrogeological investigation
findings.

Score: 1

Score: 3

Route runs through a undesignated wetland area (south
side of Highway 400, west of Eccles Street North).

Route runs through a undesignated wetland area (south
side of Highway 400, west of Eccles Street North).
Groundwater management
(e.g., potential short term water
taking, including the need for
MOE Permit to Take Water)
Proximity to wetlands, ESAs,
ANSIs and designated natural
areas
Potential effects on terrestrial
features

No ESA’s, ANSI’s.

No ESA’s, ANSI’s .

Designated natural area west of Eccles Street North.

Designated natural area west of Eccles Street North.

Score: 1

Score: 1

Woodlands, trees and other
terrestrial vegetation (e.g.,

number and significance of
trees removed and/or disturbed,

extent of loss/disruption to
vegetation)
Potential impacts to Street trees along Sunnidale Road.
Significant tree removal required at Highway 400 crossing.
Score: 2
Sensitive species habitat (e.g.,
proximity to vulnerable,
threatened, endangered or
locally/regionally rare
amphibians, birds or other
wildlife)


Score: 4
Crossing of valley lands
including floodplains and
meander belts (e.g., potential
flooding and erosion risk)

NATURAL ENVIRONMENT SUMMARY
Contains no water crossings, however construction of
Highway 400 crossing is in close proximity to watercourse
providing indirect fish habitat.

Potential impacts to street trees along Sunnidale Road,
Eccles Street and Wellington Street West.

Significant tree removal required at Highway 400 crossing.

Score: 2

Contains no water crossings.

Score: 5


Contains one water crossing (Kidds Creek tributary)

defined as indirect fish habitat with the potential to be direct
fish habitat.

Score: 1
Contains no water crossings, with the exception of minor
intermittent tributary on east side of Highway 400.
Likely less groundwater expected to be encountered at
Highway 400 crossing.
Score: 4

Likely less groundwater expected to be encountered at
Highway 400 crossing.

Difficult groundwater conditions expected related to wetland 
at Eccles Street North sending/receiving pit area.

Complete hydrogeological investigations during detailed
design to determine if groundwater taking is required.

Significant dewatering will be required for construction of
the Highway 400 pipe.

Dewatering will be required for construction of the
Highway 400 pipe.

PTTW determined based on hydrogeological investigation
findings.



Complete hydrogeological investigations during detailed
design to determine how much water taking will be
required.
Complete hydrogeological investigations during detailed
design to determine how much water taking will be
required.
Score: 5

PTTW determined by hydrogeological investigation
findings.

PTTW determined based on hydrogeological investigation
findings.

Score: 1

Score: 1

Route runs through a undesignated wetland area (south
side of Highway 400, west of Eccles Street North).

Undesignated wetland area adjacent to Route 5 (south
side of Highway 400, west of Eccles Street North).

No ESA’s, ANSI’s.

No ESA’s, ANSI’s.

Designated natural area west of residential area on Eccles
Street North.

Designated natural area west of residential area on
Eccles Street North.

Score: 1

Score: 5

Potential impacts to street trees along Sunnidale Road,
Letitia Street, Shirley Avenue and Wellington Street West.

Significant tree removal required at Highway 400
crossing.

Score: 1

No wetlands, ESAs, ANSIs.

No designated natural areas.

Score: 5

Potential impacts to street trees along Sunnidale Road.

Potential impacts to street trees along Sunnidale Road.

Avoids significant tree removal at Highway 400 crossing.

Significant tree removal required at Highway 400 crossing.

Score: 5

Score: 1

No species of risk have been recorded along Route 2.

No species of risk have been recorded along Route 3.

No species of risk have been recorded along Route 4.

No species of risk have been recorded along Route 5.

Score: 4

Score: 5

Score: 4

Score: 5
Involves construction in valley lands and regulated
floodplain.

Involves construction in valley lands and regulated
floodplain.

Involves some construction in regulated floodplain,
however, avoids crossing valley lands.

Involves construction in valley lands and regulated
floodplain.

Involves construction in valley lands and regulated
floodplain.

Score: 2

Score: 3

Score: 5

Score: 1

Score: 4

12 Total

16Total

30 Total

9 Total

20 Total

2 Category Rating

3 Category Rating

5 Category Rating

1 Category Rating

4 Category Rating

Predominately single family residential development along
alignment.

Predominately single family residential development along
alignment.

Predominately single family residential development along
alignment.

Predominately single family residential development along
alignment.

Some single family residential development along
alignment.

Portion of alignment follows residential backyards.

Portion of alignment follows residential backyards.

Avoids alignments along residential backyards.

Portion of alignment follows residential backyards.

Avoids alignments along residential backyards.
Does not impact businesses or community facilities.

Does not impact businesses or community facilities.

Does not impact businesses or community facilities.

Does not impact businesses or community facilities.

Loss of trees/buffer around residences.

Loss of trees/buffer around residences.


Loss of trees/buffer around residences.
Moderate impacts to businesses and community facilities
related to Wellington Square Office Towers and
Commercial Centre.

No development proposals identified.


No development proposals identified.

Avoids loss of trees/buffer around residences.

Opportunity to reinstate with cul-de-sac that facilitates
better garbage truck and snow plough movements.
Temporary access disruption to two single family
residences on north side of Sunnidale Road (required for
Highway 400 Jack and Bore pits).
Score: 3

Requires entire front yard of two single family residences
(required for Highway 400 sending and receiving pits).

Score: 3

No active development proposals identified.

Temporary loss of parking spaces at the First Christian
No species of significance have been recorded along
Route 1.
SOCIAL/CULTURAL
Potential for disruption (e.g., dust, noise, vibration, property access and 
ability to maintain existing services)to residences, businesses,

community facilities and future land uses during construction
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
No development proposals identified.
40
AECOM
City of Barrie
Sunnidale Road-Highway 400 Transmission Watermain Crossing Municipal Class EA
Alternative Watermain Routes
Evaluation Criteria

Route 1
Connection point at Wellington Street West and Sunnidale
Road intersection

Route 2
Connection point at Wellington Street West and Sunnidale
Road intersection

Route 3
Connection point at Wellington Street West and Sunnidale
Road intersection


North on Sunnidale Road

West on Wellington Street to Eccles Street North

North on Sunnidale Road

Cross Highway 400 via Sunnidale Road west side
easements

Continue on Eccles Street North to Highway 400


Return to Sunnidale Road, proceed north to connection
point at Sunnidale Road and Letitia Street intersection




Temporary traffic impacts during construction including expected lane
closures (e.g., nature/number/direction of open lanes, current and
expected levels of service)
SOCIAL/CULTURAL SUMMARY

West on Wellington Street to natural area (west side of
Highway 400 and west of Eccles Street North)

Cross Highway 400 via Sunnidale Road east side
easements

Follow alignment along edge of Wellington Square
parking lot
Cross Highway 400 via Sunnidale Road west side
easement

Return to Sunnidale Road, proceed north to connection
point at Sunnidale Road and Letitia Street intersection

Cross Highway 400 via easement to the First Christian
Reform Church parking lot and wooded area
Return to Sunnidale Road, proceed north to connection
point at Sunnidale Road and Letitia Street intersection

Follow edge of Church parking lot to Shirley Avenue

Return to Sunnidale Road via Shirley Avenue to
connection point at Sunnidale Road and Letitia Street
intersection
Return to Sunnidale Road, proceed north to connection
point at Sunnidale Road and Letitia Street intersection
Score: 4
Sunnidale Road is a high volume arterial road with AADT:

Possible complete property purchase and relocation of
residents. However, subject residences to be eventually
displaced by future MTO Highway 400 Corridor widening.

Avoids loss of trees/buffer around residences.

No development proposals identified.

Score: 4

Sunnidale Road is a high volume arterial road with AADT:

Sunnidale Road is a high volume arterial road with AADT:
 Current – 10,900 (20008 est); and
 Current – 10,900 (2008 est); and
 Future – 22,000 (2021 est).
 Future – 22,000 (2021 est).
 Future – 22,000 (2021 est).
 Future – 22,000 (2021 est).

Possible to leave two lanes (1 each direction) open on
Sunnidale Road during construction.
Avoids use of residential side streets off of Sunnidale
Road.
Score: 1

Temporary traffic impacts to Sunnidale Road (west of
Highway 400), Eccles Street North and a portion of
Wellington Street West (south of Sunnidale Road).

Possible to leave two lanes(1 each direction) open on
Sunnidale Road and Wellington Street West during
construction.

Does not avoid residential streets.

Score: 2

Temporary traffic impacts expected along Sunnidale Road
(east and west of Highway 400).

Possible to leave two lanes (1 each direction) open on
Sunnidale Road during construction.

Avoids use of residential side streets off of Sunnidale
Road.

Sunnidale Road alignment follows high volume arterial
road.
Route 5
Connection point at Wellington Street West and Sunnidale
Road, west on Wellington Street to Wellington Square
parking lot (office complex)
Reform Church should be less than one week during
construction (Jack and Bore pit and installation of
watermain).
 Current – 10,900 (2008 est); and
Temporary traffic impacts expected along Sunnidale Road
(east and west of Highway 400).




 Current – 10,900 (2008 est); and


Potential for loss and/or disruption to archaeological and built heritage
resources (e.g., significance and ability to mitigate)
Sunnidale Road is a high volume arterial road with AADT:
Cross Highway 400 via Sunnidale Road west side
easements
Route 4
Connection point at Wellington Street West and Sunnidale
Road intersection

Temporary loss of parking spaces at Wellington Square
Office Towers and Commercial Centre during
construction (Jack and Bore pit and installation of the
watermain).

Score: 4

Sunnidale Road is a high volume arterial road with AADT:
 Current – 10,900 (2008 est); and
 Future – 22,000 (2021 est).

Temporary traffic impacts to Sunnidale Road (west of
Highway 400) and a portion of Wellington Street West
(south of Sunnidale Road).

Temporary traffic impacts to Sunnidale Road (west of
Highway 400), portion of Letitia Street and a portion of
Wellington Street West (south of Sunnidale Road).

Possible to leave two lanes (1 each direction) open on
Sunnidale Road and Wellington Street West during
construction.

Possible to leave two lanes (1 each direction) open on
Sunnidale Road and Wellington Street West during
construction.

Alignment follows Eccles Street North (single family
residential).

Does not avoid residential streets.

Score: 3

<#> potential archaeological areas identified:

Score: 3

Two potential archaeological areas identified:

Score: 1

Two potential archaeological areas identified:
6 cultural heritage landscapes, 1 designated built heritage
resource, 5 residential streetscapes and 1 transportation
corridor was found in the study area.

6 cultural heritage landscapes, 1 designated built heritage
resource, 5 residential streetscapes and 1 transportation
corridor was found in the study area.

6 cultural heritage landscapes, 1 designated built heritage
resource, 5 residential streetscapes and 1 transportation
corridor was found in the study area.

6 cultural heritage landscapes, 1 designated built heritage
resource, 5 residential streetscapes and 1 transportation
corridor was found in the study area.

6 Total

5 Total

6 Total

7 Total

2 Category Rating

2 Category Rating

3 Category Rating

4 Category Rating
Compliant with City of Barrie Official Plan policies.

Compliant with City of Barrie Official Plan policies.

Compliant with City of Barrie Official Plan policies.

Compliant with City of Barrie Official Plan policies.

Compliant with City of Barrie Official Plan policies.
LSRCA permit required (within regulation floodplain).

LSRCA permit required (within regulation floodplain).

LSRCA permit required (within regulation floodplain).


LSRCA permit required (within regulation floodplain).

MTO approval required.

MTO approval required.

More difficult LSRCA permit required (within regulation
floodplain and adjacent to Kidds Creek tributary).
MTO approval required.
MTO approval required.
Score: 5

MTO approval required.
Score: 5




Score: 5


Score: 5
Score: 1

Temporary and permanent easements required from:

Temporary and permanent easements required from:

Two potential archaeological areas identified:

Two potential archaeological areas identified:

6 cultural heritage landscapes, 1 designated built heritage
resource, 5 residential streetscapes and 1 transportation
corridor was found in the study area.


4 Total

1 Category Rating




Stage 2 archaeological investigations required.

Stage 2 archaeological investigations required.

Stage 2 archaeological investigations required.

Stage 2 archaeological investigations required.
Stage 2 archaeological investigations required.
LEGAL/JURISDICTIONAL
Compliance with applicable planning policies (e.g., Official Plans,
LSRCA regulations, MOE, MTO)

Potential land requirements, including property purchases and
temporary and permanent easements
LEGAL/JURISDICTIONAL SUMMARY

Temporary and permanent easements required from:

MTO; and

Six property owners.
Score: 2


Temporary and permanent easements required from:

MTO; and

Six property owners.
Score: 2

Temporary and permanent easements required from:

MTO; and

Two property owners.

Acquisition of residential properties will be necessary for
jack and bore pit construction and casing installation
methodology.

Score: 1

MTO; and

Seven property owners.

MTO; and

Two property owners.

Score: 2

Score: 2

7 Total

7 Total

6 Total

3 Total

7 Total

4 Category Rating

4 Category Rating

3 Category Rating

2 Category Rating

4 Category Rating

$2,080,400

$2,294,000

$2,522,000

$2,055,000

$2,719,000

Cost associated with setting up staging areas is high.

Cost associated with setting up staging areas low for south
pit and high for north pit.

Cost associated with setting up staging areas relatively low. 
Cost of setting up staging areas very high.

Cost of setting up staging area low for south pit and
moderate for north pit.
ECONOMIC/FINANCIAL
Estimated construction costs
Document1

Jack and bore costs high due to additional length/diagonal
41
AECOM
City of Barrie
Sunnidale Road-Highway 400 Transmission Watermain Crossing Municipal Class EA
Alternative Watermain Routes
Evaluation Criteria

Route 1
Connection point at Wellington Street West and Sunnidale
Road intersection

Route 2
Connection point at Wellington Street West and Sunnidale
Road intersection

Route 3
Connection point at Wellington Street West and Sunnidale
Road intersection


North on Sunnidale Road

West on Wellington Street to Eccles Street North

North on Sunnidale Road

Cross Highway 400 via Sunnidale Road west side
easements

Continue on Eccles Street North to Highway 400



Jack and Bore cost is moderate-to-high in comparison.

Cost of open cut section reduced due shorter route.

Score: 4
ECONOMIC/FINANCIAL SUMMARY





Cross Highway 400 via Sunnidale Road west side
easements



West on Wellington Street to natural area (west side of
Highway 400 and west of Eccles Street North)

Cross Highway 400 via Sunnidale Road east side
easements

Follow alignment along edge of Wellington Square
parking lot
Cross Highway 400 via Sunnidale Road west side
easement

Return to Sunnidale Road, proceed north to connection
point at Sunnidale Road and Letitia Street intersection

Cross Highway 400 via easement to the First Christian
Reform Church parking lot and wooded area
Return to Sunnidale Road, proceed north to connection
point at Sunnidale Road and Letitia Street intersection

Follow edge of Church parking lot to Shirley Avenue

Return to Sunnidale Road via Shirley Avenue to
connection point at Sunnidale Road and Letitia Street
intersection
Return to Sunnidale Road, proceed north to connection
point at Sunnidale Road and Letitia Street intersection
Jack and bore cost high due to additional length and
elevation issues.

Jack and Bore costs relatively low due to shorter distance.

Cost of open cut section reduced due to shorter route
length.
Cost of open cut section moderate.
Score: 3

Route 5
Connection point at Wellington Street West and Sunnidale
Road, west on Wellington Street to Wellington Square
parking lot (office complex)
crossing, soil conditions and elevations.

Jack and bore costs moderate due to elevations.

Costs of open cut high due to longer route.

Costs of open cut very high due to longer route.

Restoration costs on Sunnidale Road and Wellington
Street.


Route is along Wellington Street West, Shirley Street and
Sunnidale Road right of ways requiring road restoration
costs.
Score: 4

Score: 2
Score: 2

Potential for the need of a booster pumping station
depending on hydraulics of route.

Potential for the need of a booster pumping station
depending on hydraulics of route.

Potential for the need of a booster pumping station
depending on hydraulics of route.

Potential for the need of a booster pumping station
depending on hydraulics of route.

Potential for the need of a booster pumping station
depending on hydraulics of route.

Will be determined at detailed design.

Will be determined at detailed design.

Will be determined at detailed design.

Will be determined at detailed design.

Will be determined at detailed design.

Moderate cost associated with obtaining easements or
property.

Minor cost associated with obtaining easements or
property.

High cost associated with obtaining easements or property. 

Moderate-to-high cost associated with obtaining
easements or property.

Score: 1
Score: 3


Minor cost associated with obtaining easements or
property.
Score: 4
Score: 4

To be determined. Information on Wellington Square and
Church Property required.

Score: 2
Estimated operating costs
Potential cost of property acquisition
Return to Sunnidale Road, proceed north to connection
point at Sunnidale Road and Letitia Street intersection
Route 4
Connection point at Wellington Street West and Sunnidale
Road intersection


7 Total

7 Total

3 Total

8 Total

4 Total

4 Category Rating

4 Category Rating

2 Category Rating

4 Category Rating

2 Category Rating

2nd shortest horizontal distance between intersections –
800 metres

850 metres from intersection to intersection.

Shortest horizontal distance between intersections – 725
metres.

925 metres from intersection to intersection.


Score: 3

Score: 2
Longest horizontal distance – 1200 metres from
intersection to intersection (longer distance equals higher
cost).

Score: 2
TECHNICAL/CONSTRUCTABILITY

Score: 3

Score: 4
Constructability (e.g., length of watermain, number of watermain
bends)
Conflicts with existing utilities and infrastructure and ability to maintain
existing services

Existing Infrastructure difficulties at Wellington/Sunnidale
intersection and along Sunnidale Road.

Length of road along Wellington and Eccles should be
possible with minimal impact on existing utilities.

Existing Infrastructure difficulties at Wellington/Sunnidale
intersection and along Sunnidale Road.

Length of watermain along Wellington should be possible
with minimal impact to infrastructure.

Minimizes infrastructure conflicts along Sunnidale Road
as well as traffic impacts to Sunnidale Road.

Several Infrastructure crossings from north bore pit to
Sunnidale Road.

Eccles has recently been paved.

Location of South Bore Pit should minimize infrastructure
impacts along North Side of Sunnidale.

Avoids conflicts with infrastructure on south side of
Sunnidale Road.


Existing Infrastructure difficulties at Wellington/Sunnidale
intersection and along Sunnidale Road.

Existing Storm Drainage to Sunnidale Park may be
conflicted. Information on this system would be beneficial.

Infrastructure impacts anticipated to be less on Wellington
and Aleda and traffic on Wellington could be better
maintained due to extra lanes.
Several Infrastructure crossings from North Bore Pit to
Sunnidale Road.

Score: 3
Several Infrastructure crossings from North Bore Pit to
Sunnidale Road.

Score: 1

Existing Infrastructure difficulties at Wellington/Sunnidale
intersection and along Sunnidale Road.

Crossing under culvert at Highway.

Score: 1


Construction methods (e.g., open cut, jack and bore)
Complexity of staging areas around jack and bore pits (e.g., tree
removals, steep terrain, poor soil conditions)
Document1
Score: 2

Score: 3

Jack and Bore across Highway 400. Areas outside of bore
pits to be open cut.

Jack and Bore across Highway 400. Areas outside of bore
pits to be open cut.

Jack and Bore across Highway 400. Areas outside of bore
pits to be open cut.

Jack and Bore across Highway 400. Areas outside of bore
pits to be open cut.

Jack and Bore across Highway 400. Areas outside of
bore pits to be open cut

Most excavation by open cut method.


Majority of construction along Sunnidale Road.

MTO prefers perpendicular Highway crossings.



Score: 4

Major changes from North to South Side of Highway.
North is well above Highway while South is below.
Most construction excavation within Sunnidale Road right
of way.
Watermain installation by open cut along Sunnidale Road
and Wellington Street and full length of Eccles Street
North.

Significant excavation required on Wellington Street as well

as Sunnidale Road.
Score: 3

South bore pit would have easy construction access at the
end of Eccles.


Score: 4

Deep pit bore pit required on North side of road. Could
move pit down to base of Valley but environmental
devastation would be greater (i.e. tree removals).

Difficult access to north pit due to Heritage Property,
slopes and vegetation.

Construction activities, traffic and storage of equipment
and supplies within Sunnidale Road right of way.


Would likely need to obtain the properties on North and
South side of the properties or temporarily relocated
residents during construction.
South pit well below the highway while north pit is
significantly higher.

Could potentially stage both pits in yards without impacting
houses but further review required.
Could move north pit to the valley location if diagonal
crossings are permitted but greater environmental impact
would result.

Deep pits would be required on both sides to make the 5m
clearance below the highway.
Score: 2

Score: 1

Ecologically sensitive areas will be impacted (i.e., LSRCA
Regulation Boundary).

Could use Wellington Square Parking lot as south
Staging area which would be easy access.

Soils in this area are organic and contain significant
groundwater and voids. Access for construction equipment
would be very difficult.

Difficult access to north bore pit and tree clearing would
be required. Problem could be minimized if MTO
approves directional drilling.

Most significant tree removal would be required.


Could use tree clearing for staging to increase church
parking.
Difficult access to north pit due to Heritage Property, slopes
42
AECOM
City of Barrie
Sunnidale Road-Highway 400 Transmission Watermain Crossing Municipal Class EA
Alternative Watermain Routes
Evaluation Criteria

Route 1
Connection point at Wellington Street West and Sunnidale
Road intersection

Route 2
Connection point at Wellington Street West and Sunnidale
Road intersection

Route 3
Connection point at Wellington Street West and Sunnidale
Road intersection


North on Sunnidale Road

West on Wellington Street to Eccles Street North

North on Sunnidale Road

Cross Highway 400 via Sunnidale Road west side
easements

Continue on Eccles Street North to Highway 400



CONCLUSION OF EVALUATION
Document1
Construction activities to and from jack and bore pits
crossing Highway 400 will require tree clearing for set-up.



Cross Highway 400 via Sunnidale Road west side
easements
Difficult access to north pit due to Heritage Property, slopes 
and vegetation.
Depth of jack and bore pits will be at minimal depth of 5
metres for Highway 400 crossing.

Construction access to south side pit likely from Eccles
Street.

Construction access to south side pit likely from Eccles
Street.

Construction access to north side jack and bore pit will be
more difficult.

Construction access to north side jack and bore pit will be
more difficult.

Construction activities to and from jack and bore pits
crossing Highway 400 will require tree clearing for set-up.

Possible high water table at location south side pit –
dewatering may be necessary.

Possible high water table at location south side pit –
dewatering may be necessary.

Score: 2

Score: 1
No significant conflicts.

Eccles Street recently reconstructed – will be disturbed
again.
Score: 5



West on Wellington Street to natural area (west side of
Highway 400 and west of Eccles Street North)

Cross Highway 400 via Sunnidale Road east side
easements

Follow alignment along edge of Wellington Square
parking lot
Cross Highway 400 via Sunnidale Road west side
easement

Return to Sunnidale Road, proceed north to connection
point at Sunnidale Road and Letitia Street intersection

Cross Highway 400 via easement to the First Christian
Reform Church parking lot and wooded area
Return to Sunnidale Road, proceed north to connection
point at Sunnidale Road and Letitia Street intersection

Follow edge of Church parking lot to Shirley Avenue

Return to Sunnidale Road via Shirley Avenue to
connection point at Sunnidale Road and Letitia Street
intersection
Return to Sunnidale Road, proceed north to connection
point at Sunnidale Road and Letitia Street intersection


Conflict with recent infrastructure improvements (e.g., road resurfacing)
or co-ordination opportunities with planned infrastructure improvements 
TECHNICAL/CONSTRUCTABILITY SUMMARY
Return to Sunnidale Road, proceed north to connection
point at Sunnidale Road and Letitia Street intersection
Route 4
Connection point at Wellington Street West and Sunnidale
Road intersection

Score: 2

Will require deepest pits for casing but shortest horizontal
distance under Highway 400.
Route 5
Connection point at Wellington Street West and Sunnidale
Road, west on Wellington Street to Wellington Square
parking lot (office complex)
and vegetation.

Sunnidale Road is not affected by the route.

Open cut construction also within regulated LSRCA
regulated area – tree removal unlikely permitted.


South side jack and bore pit to be located in wetlands –
high water table – dewatering may be required for jack and
bore pit construction methodology.
Involves open cut excavation through commercial parking
lot on Wellington Street and through institutional (church)
parking lot. – Restoration costs are unable to be
estimated at this time.


Significant tree clearing on north side of Highway 400 for
access to pit and for open cut construction between north
side pit and Sunnidale Road right of way.
South side jack and bore pit will require accessibility via
commercial parking lot-possible additional damage and
restoration.

Access to north side jack and bore pit requires tree
clearing and difficult access due to elevation difference.

Score: 4
Score: 5

Score: 1

No significant conflicts.

No significant conflicts.

No significant conflicts.

Score: 5

Score: 4

Score: 4

15 Total

11 Total

19 Total

11 Total

15 Total

3 Category Rating

2 Category Rating

3 Category Rating

2 Category Rating

3 Category Rating

45 Total

47 Total

63Total

37 Total

47 Total

2 Overall Rating

3 Overall Rating

5 Overall Rating

1 Overall Rating

4 Overall Rating
43
AECOM
City of Barrie
8.
Preferred Watermain Route
8.1
Rationale for Preferred Route
Sunnidale Road-Highway 400 Transmission
Watermain Crossing Municipal Class EA
Based on the above evaluation, Route 3 is the preferred route for the new watermain based on the following:

Significantly avoids displacement and/or disruption to environmentally sensitive areas, valley lands,
watercourses and floodplains;

Significantly avoids tree removal and disruption to wildlife corridor;

Avoids impacts to businesses and institutions;

Avoids use of narrower local roads resulting in less impact to residences including noise, vibration, dust and
access;

Avoids watermain alignments in backyards;

Construction will be contained to a relatively wide arterial road corridor that can allow for traffic flow and is
also planned for future widening;

Easier permitting approvals;

Places main within wide arterial road providing better access for maintenance and inspection requirements;

Avoids requirements for significant easements; and

Shortest route, length of watermain including horizontal distance under Highway 400.
It is important to note that Route 3 will require the purchase of two (2) single family residences which are needed for
the siting of sending and receiving pits which must be located outside of the Ministry of Transportation’s (MTO) right
of way limits. This is somewhat mitigated by the fact that the two (2) homes in question would eventually be
purchased by MTO for the widening of Highway 400 and the Sunnidale Road bridge.
8.2
Project Description
8.2.1 Temporary and Permanent Easement Requirements
The preferred option 3 alignment for the watermain is intended to be contained within the Sunnidale Right-of-Way
and amongst the existing buried infrastructure and utilities. Therefore, with the exception of the two previously
mentioned homes, no additional easements, whether working or permanent, will be required during installation or
post-construction.
8.2.2 Construction Cost Estimates
Route 3 offers the shortest distance between the limits of construction, the shortest length of watermain installation
and the least impact to the sensitive off-road environment. Being within the Sunnidale Road R.O.W., no major tree
Document1
44
AECOM
City of Barrie
Sunnidale Road-Highway 400 Transmission
Watermain Crossing Municipal Class EA
replacement or reforestation is required with Route 3. The construction cost for Route 3 is approximately $2.5
million.
A breakdown of the cost estimates can be found in Appendix G.
8.2.3 Geotechnical and Hydrogeological Considerations
Should any of the other routes be considered, then complications arising from the need to deal with unstable soils
and groundwater conditions would be a factor likely to increase the risks and costs of construction. Construction and
maintenance of shafts for the jack-and-bore operation is much easier in dry conditions than in wet unstable soils.
Previous construction of infrastructure on Sunnidale Road provides geotechnical history of subsurface conditions
whereby additional geotechnical investigation would be required along both sides of the Highway 400 in preparation
for the design and construction of the shafts, watermain casing, and main for the proposed alignments for the other
routes.
Route 3 significantly avoids streams/wetlands and offers dry conditions for the shaft construction being adjacent to
the roadway, albeit with limited working area at each side of the existing Sunnidale Road bridge crossing compared
to the open field conditions of the other routes.
Appendix J includes the preliminary geotechnical investigations technical memorandum which confirms the
feasibility of a jack and bore crossing provided dewatering is carried out. .
Geotechnical investigations and report will be undertaken, at detailed design, by a RAQS qualified Foundation
Engineering-Tunneling Speciality, High Complexity and will further confirm potential impacts and mitigation
measures.
8.2.4 Utilities
Existing utilities will likely be affected by the proposed watermain, depending on the design. However, services will
be maintained during construction as they typically are during similar municipal construction projects in built-up
areas of the City.
8.2.5 Approval Requirements
8.2.5.1
Ministry of the Environment
A Permit to Take Water may be required from the Ministry of the Environment should the predicted dewatering for
construction exceed more than 50,000 litres/day (to be confirmed at detailed design). In addition, a MOE Drinking
Water Works Permit (DWWP)12 will be required as part of the Municipal Water Licensing Program as part of detailed
design.
12
The DWWP issued by the MOE will replace the MOE Certificates of Approvals.
Document1
45
AECOM
8.2.5.2
City of Barrie
Sunnidale Road-Highway 400 Transmission
Watermain Crossing Municipal Class EA
Ministry of Transportation
Encroachment permits for the crossing of Highway 400 will be required from MTO prior to any construction. MTO
will also review design drawings when they are available.
8.2.5.3
Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport
As per Section 2.2.1, a Stage 1 Archaeological Assessment was completed. A Stage 2 Archaeological Assessment
is required for any of the undisturbed areas of the watermain that are outside the existing road allowance. Route 3
involves construction in existing previously disturbed road allowances and avoids disturbed areas. This will be
further confirmed as part of the project’s detailed design phase.
8.2.5.4
Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority
As there are no water course crossings and all works are to take place mostly within the existing road allowance,
major impacts to LSRCA regulated areas will be avoided. As such, a permit under Ontario Regulation 179/06
(Regulation of Development, Interference with Wetlands, and Alterations to Shorelines and Watercourses) is
anticipated to not be required, however, this will be confirmed at detailed design.
8.3
Project Schedule and Implementation
The following presents the estimated project implementation schedule.

Class EA Project File Filing – March 2013

Detailed Design – Fall 2013

Construction – 2014
Document1
46
AECOM
City of Barrie
Sunnidale Road-Highway 400 Transmission
Watermain Crossing Municipal Class EA
Figure 10 Preferred Watermain Route
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9.
City of Barrie
Sunnidale Road-Highway 400 Transmission
Watermain Crossing Municipal Class EA
Environmental Effects, Mitigation Measures and Monitoring
Based on the preferred watermain route (Route 3) and proposed construction techniques, the Sunnidale RoadHighway 400 watermain is expected to have minimal environmental effects. In order to address the effects, the
following approach was taken:

Avoidance: The first priority is to prevent the occurrence of negative effects (i.e., adverse environmental
effects) associated with the implementation of an alternative (i.e., the new watermain).

Mitigation: Where adverse environmental effects cannot be avoided, it will be necessary to develop the
appropriate measures to eliminate or reduce to some degree, the negative effects associated with
implementing the alternative.

Compensation: In situations where appropriate mitigation measures are not available, or significant net
adverse effects will remain following the application of mitigation, compensation measures may be required
to counterbalance the negative effect through replacement in kind, or provision of a substitute or
reimbursement.
Based on conceptual design and considering the above, in some cases avoidance measures were able to be
applied more extensively (e.g., jack and bore pit locations to avoid natural features or the operations of Highway
400), thus reducing the extent and magnitude of potential adverse environmental effects requiring the application of
mitigation measures.
The following mitigation measures are recommended to ensure that any short-term disturbances are managed by
the best available methods. These measures will be further confirmed and defined during detailed design.
9.1
Mitigation Measures
The following proposed mitigation measures are presented in Table 5 and are recommended to ensure that any
short-term disturbances are managed by best available methods.
Table 5
Proposed Mitigation Measures
Potential Impact
Mitigation
Floodplain Management

Preferred routing alignment avoids work in floodplains and minimizes intrusion;
Adverse modifications to physical
drainage patterns, stream flow and
morphology

Concerning Ontario Regulation 179/06, a permit from LSRCA is not anticipated
at this time as the preferred route primarily avoids LSRCA regulated areas. This
will be confirmed at detailed design once geotechnical investigations are
completed and groundwater management requirements are confirmed;

Restore disturbed areas/habitat to natural or better conditions using native
species;

Ensure proper testing of excavated sediments for compliance with Regulations
for disposal; and
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AECOM
City of Barrie
Potential Impact
Sunnidale Road-Highway 400 Transmission
Watermain Crossing Municipal Class EA
Mitigation

Monitor restoration efforts.


Preferred routing alignment avoids water crossings and close proximity
construction;
Appropriate erosion and sediment control measures (e.g., silt fencing, flow
checks, cofferdams, rip rap) should be established prior to the commencement
of any construction activities and remain in place until all disturbed areas are
fully stabilized as to retain sediment on site and prevent its entry to the
Wetland/Creek;
Construction material, excess fill, construction debris, stockpiling and empty
containers should be stored no less than 30 metres away from the water to
ensure no run-off of any deleterious substances to the Creek occurs.
Follow MNR fisheries construction timing windows, where applicable; and

Monitor construction and mitigation, take corrective actions as required.
Trees and Vegetation

Complete tree inventory and construction impacts assessment;
Physical damage and loss of
vegetation/trees

Minimize tree and vegetation removal;

Prepare Tree Relocation and Protection Plan; and

Trees requiring removal should be replaced using native species and an
appropriate planting plan in consultation with the LSRCA, based on a 2:1
plantings replacement ratio.
Groundwater Management

Avoid-minimize dewatering in sensitive areas;
Changes in groundwater flow patterns,
recharge and levels in aquifers due to
dewatering

Ensure that design and construction of watermain are in accordance with MOE
Guideline D-5, Planning for Sewage and Water Services and Guide for Applying
for Approval of Municipal and Private Water and Sewage Works 9Sections 52
and 53 of the Ontario Water Resources Act);

Obtain MOE PTTW, as required; and

Implement dewatering plan based on hydrogeological assessment.
Noise/Vibration/Dust

Increased ambient noise levels,
vibration and dust/other particulate
matter
Site conditions may require construction methodology to operate on 24 hour
basis;

Use new or well maintained heavy equipment machinery, preferably fitted with
muffler/exhaust system baffles, engine covers;

Adhere to noise by-laws, as possible;

Complete preconstruction building structure surveys;

Dust control by spraying water/street sweeping;

Where applicable, use non- chloride based compounds to protect water quality;
and

Fence/hoarding of construction site along property limits and access roadway.

Prepare traffic management plan-maintain traffic flow in both directions;

Minimize access disruption by limiting duration of work and timing;
Aquatic-Fisheries
Disruption to fish spawning periods and

physical changes to aquatic habitat
Soil disturbances/sedimentation to
Kidds Creek Tributary

Traffic Management and Property
Access
Reduced level of service due to lane
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City of Barrie
Potential Impact
closures and temporary loss of
driveway access
Archaeological and Built Heritage
Resources
Mitigation

Maintain access to residents and businesses;

Provide alternate pedestrian access; and

Provide advanced notification.

Comply with Stage 1 Archaeological Study recommendations (i.e., complete
Stage 2 investigations where construction occurs in undisturbed areas);
Loss or disruption to archaeological and 
built heritage resources

9.2
Sunnidale Road-Highway 400 Transmission
Watermain Crossing Municipal Class EA
Immediately contact appropriate ministries and First Nations if any deeply buried
deposits are found, or in the event that human remain are encountered;
Follow recommendations in cultural built heritage assessment (Appendix E).
Monitoring
Following construction, the operation of the new watermain is not expected to result in any negative impacts. This is
based on the City’s experience with operating similar infrastructure. However, a post-construction monitoring plan
will be developed at detailed design and implemented to monitor ground settlement at Highway 400, slope
stabilization and areas of restoration.
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AECOM
10.
10.1
City of Barrie
Sunnidale Road-Highway 400 Transmission
Watermain Crossing Municipal Class EA
Public Consultation
Public Notification
To inform the local community of the project and solicit comments, at the beginning of the study, a Notice of Study
Commencement was published in the Barrie Examiner on July 14 and 16, 2011. The Notice of Study
Commencement can be found in Appendix H.
A second letter and notice was sent to the local community inviting them to the Public Information Centre (PIC) that
was held on January 31, 2012. The Notice of PIC was published in the Barrie Examiner on January 26, 27 and 28,
2012 and can be found in Appendix H.
The Notice of PIC was also mailed to review agencies and residences within the study area.
10.2
Public Information Centre – January 31, 2012
A PIC was held on January 31, 2012 from 4:00pm to 7:00pm at the City of Barrie City Hall. Over the course of the
PIC 14 people signed in the attendance sheet. The PIC followed an informal “drop in” format with large display
boards presenting the following relevant project information:

Study background;

Overview of Municipal Class EA process and Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy;

Outline of the existing water distribution system;

Problem statement;

Identification of alternative watermain routing options;

Proposed evaluation criteria;

Construction methods;

Mitigation measures; and

Study schedule-next steps.
The PIC boards and were posted on the City’s website and a copy can be found in Appendix I.
10.3
Comments Received and Responses
Following issuance of the PIC Notice, an email was received on January 23, 2012 from a property owner requesting
that they be added to the mailing list and notifying the City of potential expansions to their building and/or parking lot.
Another email was received on January 23, 2012 requesting additional information and questioned if the installation
of the watermain will have any effect or changes to the present driveways or grounds of property owners from the
bridge area to Wellington Street West. The City responded on January 24, 2012 with a link to the City’s website
where additional information can be obtained. The City also noted that the location of the watermain has not been
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AECOM
City of Barrie
Sunnidale Road-Highway 400 Transmission
Watermain Crossing Municipal Class EA
selected and if it is located within the boulevard, there could be an impact on driveways and grassed areas. The
City also noted that changes in grade of driveways and/or boulevards are not expected.
Following the PIC twelve (12) comments sheets were received and can be found in Appendix I. The comment
sheets asked the public and agencies to identify a preferred alternative, if they would like to be kept informed and if
they had any additional comments. Out of the twelve (12) comment sheets, two (2) identified no preference while
ten (10) identified preferred routes which are as follows:

Three (3) ranked Route 2 and Route 3 preferred;

Two (2) ranked Route 5 preferred;

One (1) ranked Route 4 preferred; and

One (1) ranked Existing Conditions preferred.
Responses to comment sheets can also be found in Appendix I.
Council Approval (General Committee and Council approval) of the recommended watermain routing alignment is
required and the public will have another opportunity to comment on the recommended alternative prior to
finalization.
10.4
Project File Filing
As previously mentioned in Section 1.4.2, the Project File Report was filed for the mandatory 30 day public review
starting on ____ and ending on ____ at the City’s Clerk’s and Engineering departments as well as the Barrie Public
Library.
The Notice of Study Completion was published in the Barrie Examiner on ____. Refer to Appendix H for the Notice
of Study Completion.
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AECOM
City of Barrie
11.
Agency and First Nation Consultation
11.1
Agency and First Nation Notification
Sunnidale Road-Highway 400 Transmission
Watermain Crossing Municipal Class EA
The Notices of Study Commencement, PIC and Study Completion was also sent to review and government
agencies.
11.2
Stakeholder and Review Agency Consultation
11.2.1 Ministry of the Environment
In a letter dated July 25, 2011, the Ministry of the Environment outlined the planning process requirements for the
Class EA and an overview of what MOE’s review of the project file will entail. A copy of the letter can be found in
Appendix G.
11.2.2 Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority
In a letter dated August 23, 2011, AECOM requested information (e.g., studies, floodplain mapping, watershed
reports, etc) as part of the background data collection as construction of the watermain falls within the Lake Simcoe
Region Conservation Authority (LSRCA) regulation area.
In an email response dated September 9, 2011 LSRCA described the watercourse within the study area as being a
tributary of Kidds Creek and provided the timing window for no in water works. LSRCA also provided resources
where information can be obtained regarding Species at Risk as well as additional reports and studies that pertain to
this study.
A copy of the above correspondence can be found in Appendix H.
11.2.3 Ministry of Transportation
In an email response to the Notice of Study Commencement, dated July 19, 2011, the Ministry of Transportation
(MTO) requested that routing options under consideration were sent to the MTO early in the process for review as
an MTO encroachment permit will be required.
A meeting was held with MTO on August 4, 2011 to inform the MTO of the project and routes being considered to
allow MTO to identify any major conflicts or concerns. Construction methods of the watermain was discussed and is
up to the City, the only request that MTO had what that the watermain crossing Highway 400 was encased in a steel
liner. MTO also explained the requirements for the MTO encroachment permitting process.
In addition to the 5 routing options, Option 6 (based on temporarily installing the watermain within the existing bridge
deck or hanging it from the bridge structure until the highway widening and bridge reconstruction takes place) was
also discussed. MTO requested that AECOM formally submit this routing option for comment.
Following this meeting, on September 15, 2011 AECOM sent a letter and accompanying figure illustrating Route 6
for review and comment. In an email, MTO responded on November 24, 2011 stating that MTO cannot allow the
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AECOM
City of Barrie
Sunnidale Road-Highway 400 Transmission
Watermain Crossing Municipal Class EA
watermain to be temporarily installed on the Sunnidale bridge structure. As such, this option was taken out of the
evaluation.
MTO correspondence can be found in Appendix H.
11.3
First Nations Consultation
Similar to the public and agencies, First Nations were also sent all notices. The following describes responses from
First Nations groups to date.
11.3.1 Aboriginal Affairs Canada and Northern Development Canada
Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada responded via letter to the Notice of Study Commencement on
August 2, 2011. They provided resources to assist the project team with identifying First Nations and other
Aboriginal groups within the vicinity of this project.
11.3.2 Indian and Northern Affairs Canada
Indian and Northern Affairs Canada responded via email to the Notice of Public Information Centre on January 24,
2012, providing resources to find reserves within the study area and First Nations located in those reserves.
11.3.3 Hiawatha First Nation
In a letter dated July 12, 2011 the Hiawatha First Nation responded to the Notice of Study Commencement stating
that this project is deemed to have minimal potential to impact their First Nations rights, however, they would like to
be kept updated. They also requested a copy of the archaeological reports and that they be contacted if any
artifacts were found.
11.3.4 Alderville First Nation
In response letter to the Notice of Study Commencement dated August 2, 2011, Alderville First Nations made
mention that this project is being proposed within their Traditional and Treaty Territory, however, it is deemed to
have minimal potential to impact their First Nations rights. Lastly, they requested that they be kept inform of study
progress and of any archaeological findings.
11.3.5 Chippewas of Rama First Nation
On August 2, 2011 the Chippewas of Rama First Nation responded to the Notice of Study Commencement. They
forwarded a copy of the Notice to their barrister and solicitor and requested that future correspondence be sent to
them as well.
11.3.6 Curve Lake First Nation
In a letter dated August 30, 2011 Curve Lake First Nation responded to the Notice of Study Commencement. The
study is within the Traditional Territory of Curve Lake First Nation that is incorporated within the Williams Treaty
Territory and is subject of a claim under Canada’s Specific Claims Policy. However, at this time, Council is not
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AECOM
City of Barrie
Sunnidale Road-Highway 400 Transmission
Watermain Crossing Municipal Class EA
aware of any issues that would cause concern to the Traditional, Aboriginal and Treaty rights. The letter also
suggests that a copy of what is being proposed be sent to their barrister and solicitor. In addition, should any
archaeological resources be found, Curve Lake First Nation would like to be notified.
All First Nations correspondence can be found in Appendix H.
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AECOM
City of Barrie
12.
Conclusions and Recommendations
12.1
Conclusions
Sunnidale Road-Highway 400 Transmission
Watermain Crossing Municipal Class EA
This Class EA covers the processes required to ensure that the proposed study and associated proposed work
meets the requirements of the Environmental Assessment Act. The Class EA planning process requires initial
screening for a project of this type, and this initial screening has not identified any significant concerns that cannot
be addressed by incorporating established mitigation measures during construction.
The preferred watermain route (Route 3) resolves the problems identified in this report and indicates only minor and
predictable impacts, which are addressed by recommended mitigative measures presented in Section 9.
12.2
Recommendations
Considering the above, it is recommended that:
1. Following EA documentation filing and approval, watermain Route 3 proceed to detailed design and required
remaining approvals as per Section 8.2.5;
2. The City complete the property acquisition process for the recommended watermain route; and
3. Mitigation measures identified in Section 9 be expanded upon during detailed design and implemented as
part of construction.
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