Ripley Southwest Street Reconstruction Projects

Due to budget constraints, reconstruction of Park St., Ripley and the intersecting streets will not begin until 2025, pending budget approval. In the meantime, we continue to refine our plans for the streets that are included in this project. If you have details that you would like to discuss, please contact John Yungblut as soon as possible. This may include.

• Sidewalk alignment
• Fire hydrant locations
• Manhole and catch basin locations
• Tree protection and removal
• Designated parking areas
• Driveway restoration
• Boulevard restoration
• Private drain connection (PDC) to storm sewer location
• Any mobility limitations during the construction process
• Any private infrastructure that is on or near the road allowance ie. Lawn irrigation systems
• Major landscaping projects that will result in changes to your property

Feedback is encouraged in advance of construction:

We are currently making plans to complete Phases 2, 3, 4 and 5 which includes Part St, Tain St, James St, McGill St, and Galdstone St. In advance of the road reconstruction phases of this project, we invite you to attend a Public Open House:

Date: Wednesday, December 6, 2023

Location: Ripley-Huron Community Centre Social Room

Time: 6pm-8pm

This event will cover all the remaining project phases, so if you own property or reside in these areas, we encourage you to attend this Open House.

The drawings we present have not been finalized, so we are able to make alterations based on the comments we receive in advance of the tendering process. Details that can be discussed for possible modification include:

• Sidewalk alignment
• Fire hydrant locations
• Manhole and catch basin locations
• Tree protection and removal
• Designated parking areas
• Driveway restoration
• Boulevard restoration
• Private drain connection (PDC) to storm sewer location

There is also information that we recommend residents provide before construction begins and encourage this feedback in advance of construction:

• Any mobility limitations
• Any private infrastructure that is on or near the road allowance ie. Lawn irrigation systems
• Major landscaping projects that will result in changes to your property

If you own property in this area, please join us on December 6th, 2023 or call with any questions.

The Reconstruction Project in Phases

Phase 1 – Ripley Trunk Storm Sewer Replacement – Fall 2022

The first stage of this project is the replacement of the existing storm drain that extends from the Park St. and McGill St. intersection southerly to the Fair Municipal Drain. This project is included in the 2022 Capital Budget, however, it is contingent on securing easement agreements with the appropriate landowners. This project will provide adequate storm drainage for the work that will follow.

Phase 2 – Park St. Reconstruction – 2024 (tentative)

The second stage of construction will include the reconstruction of Park St. (from Huron St. to the Ripley Cemetery). The current proposal is to replace the existing watermain (including fire hydrants and services), install new storm sewers with catch basins and construct an 8.5m (28ft) wide road with concrete curb and gutter. For reference, the existing road is 6.2m (20ft) wide. The existing 1.2m (4 ft) sidewalk will be replaced with a 1.5m (5ft) concrete sidewalk and it will extend from Huron St. to Gladstone St.

Phase 3 – James St. and Tain St. Reconstruction – 2025 (tentative)

The third phase of construction will include the reconstruction of James St. as well as Tain St. (from MacDonald St. to Huron St.) The current proposal is to replace the existing watermain (including fire hydrants and services), install new storm sewers with catch basins and construct an 8.5m (28 ft) wide road with concrete curb and gutter. For reference, the existing roads are 6.1m (20 ft) wide. The existing 1.2m (4 ft) sidewalk will also be replaced with a 1.5m (5ft) concrete sidewalk on both sides of the Tain St. (from MacDonald St. to Huron St.) and on the west side of James St.

Phase 4 – McGill St, Gladstone St and Tain St. Reconstruction – 2026 (tentative)

The fourth phase of construction will include the reconstruction of McGill St. and Gladstone St. as well as the remainder of Tain St. (from MacDonald St. to the west end of Tain St.)

The current proposal is to replace the existing watermain (including fire hydrants and services), install a new storm sewer with catch basins and construct a wider the road with concrete curb and gutter. The current proposed design includes an 8.5m (28 ft) wide pavement width on Tain St. and a 7.5m (24.5 ft) width pavement width on McGill St. and Gladstone St. For reference, the existing road on Tain St. is 6.2m (20 ft) wide, McGill St. is 6.0m (20 ft) wide and Gladstone St. is 5.8m (19 ft) wide.

The existing 1.2m (4 ft) sidewalk on Tain St. will also be replaced on the north side, with a 1.5m (5ft) concrete sidewalk, that will extend from MacDonald St. to the Ripley-Huron Community School. It will also be replaced on the south side from MacDonald St. to the Ripley Medical Centre/Ripley Family Y Child Care Centre. The existing 1.2m (4 ft) wide sidewalk on McGill St. will be replaced with a 1.5m (5 ft) sidewalk down the entire street.

In an effort to minimize the number of tree removals that are necessary for this project, a sidewalk is currently not proposed on Gladstone St.

Phase 5 – Topcoat Paving – 2027 (tentative)

The final phase of construction will include the paving of the second and final layer of asphalt on all the streets that are included in this project. Paving the final layer of asphalt at the same time provides a more uniform surface that will extend the life of the pavement. By allowing at least one year between the first and second layers of asphalt, we will reduce the chances of having to cut into the top layer of asphalt to correct any issues that may be a result of the construction project.

Items of Consideration

With this construction, the current streets will see significant improvements in the urban design, but there are items that need to be taken into consideration.

Driveways: If you have multiple driveways that you will need access to going forward, please contact us to discuss how this can be considered in the final design. If you have plans to widen or relocate your driveway in the future, please let us know so this can be considered as well.

Drainage Issues: If you experience flooding on your property or if you have a catch basin on your property, please let us know so we can determine if this needs to be addressed prior to construction.

On-Street Parking: The roads will be constructed at a width that allows for parking on the street and the safe passage of vehicles at the same time. Parking on boulevards will not be permitted except in certain designated paved areas such as St. Andrew’s United Church. All parking will need to comply with the Traffic & Parking By-Law, as amended. If you have any questions or concerns related to parking, please let us know.

Tree Removals: Unfortunately, some mature trees will need to be removed during this project to provide the desired road design and adequate sidewalks. The Township has retained the services of a certified arborist to inspect all the trees that will be impacted by this project and determine what steps should be implemented to prevent them from declining after construction is complete. We are committed to protecting as many trees as possible by implementing measures during construction that will prevent excessive root damage and by modifying the street design to reduce tree damage. We will be planting new trees in locations that will not cause damage to the new road or sidewalks in the future. If you are interested in having a new tree planted in your front yard, please let us know so we can determine if this will be possible once construction is complete.

Accessibility: The design of the new sidewalks will be in compliance with the Accessibility of Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) which requires a 1.5m wide clear path and tactile plates at each intersection for the visually impaired. If you have any questions or concerns about the accessibility of the new street design, please let us know.

The Township thanks all of our residents for their patience and understanding. Again, your comments and concerns are important to us. Please use the engagement tool to provide your feedback or ask questions on this page or contact John Yungblut, the Director of Public Works at jyungblut@huronkinloss.com or contact the Township Office at (519) 395-3735. Please note that John is currently working remotely, so phone calls will be returned as soon as possible.