Archived - Improvements on Access Road to Village of Terra Nova, Terra Nova National Park

Terra Nova National Park of Canada (NL)

Reasons for a Federal Assessment
Project Description
Final Decision

Reference Numbers

Canadian Environmental Assessment Registry: 08-01-38409
Parks Canada Agency: TN‑2008‑01

Environmental Assessment Type

Screening

Responsible or Regulated Authorities

Parks Canada Agency

Reasons for a Federal Assessment

On April 2, 2008, it was determined that an environmental assessment was required in relation to the project because the Parks Canada Agency was the proponent for the project.

Project Description (as posted in the Notice of Commencement)

The proposed project involves the upgrade of Terra Nova Access Road (Provincial Hwy #301) within the boundary of Terra Nova National Park. This work is scheduled to commence in June/July 2008. Terra Nova Access Road is partially located in Terra Nova National Park, commencing at the Trans Canada Highway and proceeding in a generally westward direction for 18 km to service the Village of Terra Nova. The National Park Boundary is located at km 3.4 of the Access Road, with km 0.0 being at the intersection with the TCH. The following scope of work is proposed for this highway to meet the Design Standards outlined below excluding two sharp curves. These curves should be posted with a 50km speed advisory. 1. Clearing to improve sight lines, restore positive drainage 2. Improvements (widening only) to the sharp curves at the beginning of roadway (approximately 20-30 trees) 3. Regrade ditches 4. Install additional culverts and repair/cleanout existing culverts 5. Install a bottomless arch culvert at Terra Nova brook. Restore stream bed with rock and granular material and create inlet and outlet pools. 6. Install 6 m of 1.2 m culvert downstream from existing culvert on Terra Nova Brook, and build temporary road over the pipe 7. Sub excavate soft areas of subgrade 8. Add subbase and base gravel 9. Pave with 60mm of new asphalt 10. Line stripping 11. Hydroseed slopes 12. Signage The highway is classified as a RLU-60 and the applicable geometric and x-sectional elements are as follows with the exception of the two curves note previously: Design Speed 50 km/h Minimum Radius of Curvature 120m Gradient - Desirable Maximum 8% - Maximum 12% Minimum Stopping Distance 85m Sag Vertical Curve headlight control minimum k 20, 10 for comfort Crest Vertical Curve minimum k 15 Minimum Passing Sight Distance 420m Driving Lane Width 3.0m Gravel Shoulder Width 1.0m (With guiderail the shoulder width = 1.5m)With a rounding width 0.5m Sideslopes rates - fill height < 2.0m 3:1 - fill height > 2.0m 2:1 Backslopes 2:1 Normal Crossfall 2% Maximum Superelevation Rate 8% Depth of ditch from gravel shoulder 1.0 m Minimum Width of Ditch 1.0 m

Final Decision

A decision was taken on March 8, 2009 and was that the authority may exercise any power or perform any duty or function with respect to the project because, after taking into consideration the screening report and taking into account the implementation of appropriate mitigation measures, the authority is of the opinion that the project is not likely to cause significant adverse environmental effects.