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Innisfil moves forward with accessible ramp at Simcoe and Adams

'I feel we have to move forward with this'

In 2015, a resident asked the Innisfil Accessibility Advisory Committee if the stairs connecting the dead-end on Adams Road with Simcoe Blvd. in Alcona could somehow be made more accessible.

That launched an investigation by the town, which determined that the steep nine step cement stairs were at the end of their lifespan – and that an accessible ramp would be the preferred option for replacement.

The town approved a budget of $345,000 for the construction project in the 2017-18 budget, but the work didn’t go to tender until this year.

The tender was awarded to low bidder Buildscapes Construction Ltd. - at a price tag nearly double the original budgeted amount.

Costs were impacted by a long litany of issues on site: the presence of utilities and servicing within the right of way, poor soils and a high water table, the steep gradient, the limited municipal right-of-way, encroachments, and the decision to install an inground heating system in the ramp, to address snow clearance challenges on the steep grade.

In the online meeting of Innisfil Council on May 13, councillors agreed to add another $320,323 to the budgeted amount, to come from Capital Reserves, bringing the total cost to $665,323.

They also agreed to move ahead with the project, despite the objections of some neighbouring homeowners.

“It is disruptive to the residents,” acknowledged Coun. Donna Orsatti, “but it’s not being opened to vehicle traffic, just pedestrians.”

Orsatti suggested the town had no choice but to move ahead with the project, to meet requirements of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA), and she urged the municipality to begin work immediately.

“If we wait another year, it only increases the cost, and potential lawsuits,” she said. “The stairs have deteriorated and they are no longer safe.”

Orsatti pointed out that to remove the stairs entirely and close the access, as some residents have suggested, would create a hardship for those using the connection.

“If you have someone in a wheelchair, if you have someone in a walker, if you have seniors,” it isn’t reasonable to ask them to make a lengthy detour onto St. John’s Road, she said – and one lawsuit could easily exceed the cost of three ramps.

“I know it’s created a lot of anxiety for residents who live in this area, but I feel we have to move forward with this,” she said.

Deputy Mayor Dan Davidson agreed, but suggested cutting costs by scrapping the inground heating system, and closing the ramp in winter.

The savings would only amount to $32,000 in the construction budget, noted Innisfil Capital Engineering leader Jessica Jenkins, and would create issues for pedestrians who use the access year-round.

Jenkins noted that the town deployed pedestrian counters and found that even in winter, an average of 116 pedestrians were using the stairs each day. Those numbers increased to 139 per day in spring.

“We’re seeing pretty high usage, even in winter,” Jenkins said, noting that children regularly use the steps to catch their school bus. If the access was closed in winter, the school bus stop would have to be moved, she warned.

In the end, council voted unanimously in favour of proceeding with the project, despite the increased costs.

“I’d like to save money (but) I can see the accessibility and the needs of the community is a little more paramount than saving money,” said Coun. Rob Nicol.

“There are other projects where we can cut back,” said Orsatti – but not when there’s an issue of accessibility.

Jenkins noted that special care was being taken to address some of the concerns of neighbouring homeowners, including vibration monitoring during construction – especially for one building immediately adjacent to the ramp. The Town also plans to collect photo documentation of conditions before construction begins. 


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Miriam King

About the Author: Miriam King

Miriam King is a journalist and photographer with Bradford Today, covering news and events in Bradford West Gwillimbury and Innisfil.
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