Homer Watson Boulevard Widening & Corridor Study

Location

Kitchener, Ontario

Expertise

Environmental Assessment

Roads

Traffic Engineering

The Region of Waterloo recently awarded an engineering services contract to Associated Engineering Ltd. for the Class EA (Schedule ‘C’), detailed design and construction related services for the widening and improvements to Homer Watson Boulevard in Kitchener.

The project study area is approximately 4 km of existing 4 lane arterial roadway. The class EA is required to determine the preferred design solution to widen the road to 6 lanes.

The existing roadway is a major arterial connecting the downtown of Kitchener to Highway #401. At the southerly limit is Conestoga College which is currently experiencing significant growth and expansions. Traffic leading into the College at peak hours is very heavy with long wait times and queue lengths. The EA and design solution will be heavily influenced by the traffic modelling relating to another EA currently ongoing for a new arterial road to the west (Strasburg Road).

Project Highlights

The project includes topographic survey and base plans for 4km of roadway, completion of the Class EA study, widening of one existing bridge over Schneider Creek, rehabilitation of a second bridge, design of a multi-use trail system along the corridor. Intersection improvements will include replacing the existing traffic signals at Manitou Drive and Pioneer Drive with modern roundabouts, continuing the transformation of Homer Watson Boulevard into a roundabout corridor.

Through the comprehensive evaluation process of the Class EA, it was determined that the preferred solution is to limit the current scope of work to intersection improvements, bridge rehabilitation and addition of a multi-use trail. The Class EA has been downgraded to a Schedule A+, with construction scheduled to commence in 2017.