Morriston should be a “growing” community this spring as its long-awaited streetscape project gets underway.
At a public open house on Feb. 4, Aaron Hill, a landscape architect with MacKinnon and Associates, updated members of the community on the project.
Hill explained he has worked with Puslinch councillors on the project for a little over two years.
The big News, Hill told the close to 20 people gathered, is that the Ministry of Transportation has finally allowed an encroachment permit for the first phase of the work. Hill said the plan had to comply with various regulations and setbacks as determined by the MTO and Ontario Hydro.
“The MTO has a great number of regulations regarding setbacks and tree planting. Hydro One has a great number of setbacks from their hydro lines as well, and there are quite a few overhead hydro lines in Morriston, which conflicted with a number of planting locations,” said Hill.
He noted three main areas were identified where work might be done.
One was at the north end of Morriston, just north of Currie Drive in the area of North American Construction. The intent was to create an entry feature in that area.
Further south an area was identified in the commercial block near Calfass Road and Badenoch Street, where there is a series of concrete islands.
Another potential area was identified at the south end of Morriston by Church Street. Hill said there is a section where the sidewalk is right on the edge of the road then veers back, forming a boulevard. The area on the eastern side was identified as being an area where trees could be planted.
“Plans were drafted … and basically we’ve come to an agreement,” said Hill.
He added phase one planting at the north end of the community includes flowering, shade and coniferous trees.
On the south side, the MTO generally had no issue with what was proposed on the east side of the highway.
However the permits are staggered so the encroachment permit is only for the work in the northern part of Morriston.
Hill said there was discussion whether that permit could be extended to the south end, if appropriate to do so.
“(The MTO) did not like the planting in the downtown by the restaurant. They don’t want to see anything vertical in those areas.”
Hill said a tender will be posted in mid-February with the intent of having work begin in mid-to-late March.
“For planting purposes this is probably the best case scenario we can have.” He again noted that because of the urban conditions of the highway location, the species of trees picked are chosen for their hardiness and resistance to salt spray.
Hill anticipated actual construction time to be relatively short. “We fully expect by the end of April this work should be done.”
Wellington County councillor Don McKay, who lives on the south edge of Morriston, talked about the option of private property owners taking part.
Hill noted the streetscape project has a selected number of tree species selected.
“If people wish to contribute by planting on their own properties, then choosing the same plant materials would create a consistent approach.”
Hill noted the MTO is not really in the business of tree planting. “Their focus is the safety of the roadway … anything that falls outside that gets a little grey for them.”
Hill noted what happened is “somewhat outside the MTO’s comfort zone.” He also noted that any maintenance of trees and shrubs will be the responsibility of the municipality.
Resident Bill Knestch question the MTO concerns about the traffic islands in front of the restaurant.
Hill said it goes back to the MTO’s core interest – the safety and function of the highway.
McKay noted if the Morriston bypass goes ahead, the road may become a county or municipal road and the MTO rules might no longer be a concern.
