Cleanup of soil, groundwater contamination planned at former Kitchener bus terminal
The Region of Waterloo is set to begin the process of environmental remediation at the former Charles Street bus terminal in Kitchener.
Councillors signed off on a recommendation from staff to move ahead with a risk assessment at a Planning and Works Committee meeting on Tuesday morning.
It comes after an engineering consulting firm found concerns in both the soil and groundwater at the site.
The former terminal at 15 Charles Street West is in the early stages of being redeveloped as a community hub.
“I think there’s great anticipation in the community about this project,” Coun. Jim Erb told the meeting Tuesday. “And the sooner we can move it along, it just satisfies a whole range of opportunities for us.”
A risk assessment is a scientific study that outlines the possible dangers to humans, animals and the environment from exposure to a contaminant.
Staff say the results of the assessment are not expected to put significant restrictions on redevelopment, but could include a health and safety plan for construction workers, considerations for how contaminated materials would be removed and stored, or restrictions on putting residential units or a daycare on the first floor of a future building.
A community-wide survey in 2021 determined the redevelopment’s main priorities would be affordable housing, climate action, equity, diversity and inclusion, and a thriving economy.
In 2022, MTE Consultants Inc. completed an environmental and geotechnical analysis of the site as part of the redevelopment process.
The analysis found shallow soil contamination from lead and hydrocarbons and deeper soil contamination from waste from past demolition of buildings. It also found road salt impacts throughout the soil and groundwater contamination from chlorinated solvents, metals and acid/base/neutrals compounds.
The risk assessment approved Tuesday will be the first step towards environmental remediation at the site.
A working group has been set up to allow the region and City of Kitchener staff to work together on the project.
The third and fourth phases of community engagement are expected to continue over the coming months as stakeholder groups are identified and design workshops are held.
The decision to move ahead with the risk assessment is expected to receive final approval at the next regular regional council meeting.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Spectacular aurora light show to be seen across Canada Friday night
A rare and severe solar storm is expected to bring spectacular displays of the northern lights, also known as aurora borealis, across much of Canada and parts of the United States on Friday night.
'Tactical evacuations' underway near Fort Nelson, B.C., as wildfires encroach
The BC Wildfire Service says 'tactical evacuations' began Friday near Fort Nelson, B.C., due to an out-of-control wildfire that has grown rapidly since it was discovered earlier in the afternoon.
Snowbirds in Vancouver for puck-drop flyby as Canucks face Oilers
The Canadian Forces Snowbirds will be performing a flyover across downtown Vancouver at the start of tonight's Stanley Cup playoff game between the Canucks and the Edmonton Oilers.
McGill University seeks emergency injunction to dismantle pro-Palestinian encampment
McGill University has filed a request for an injunction to have the pro-Palestinian encampment removed from its campus.
Which Canadian cities have the highest and lowest grocery prices?
Where you live plays a big factor in what you pay at the grocery store. And while it's no secret the same item may have a different price depending on the store, city or province, we wanted to see just how big the differences are, and why.
Swarm of 20,000 bees gather around woman’s car west of Toronto
A swarm of roughly 20,000 bees gathered around a woman’s car in the parking lot of Burlington Centre.
Barron Trump declines to serve as an RNC delegate
Former U.S. President Donald Trump's youngest son, Barron Trump, has declined to serve as a delegate at this summer’s Republican National Convention, according to a senior Trump campaign adviser and a statement from Melania Trump's office.
U.S. says Israel's use of U.S. arms likely violated international law, but evidence is incomplete
The Biden administration said Israel's use of U.S.-provided weapons in Gaza likely violated international humanitarian law but wartime conditions prevented U.S. officials from determining that for certain in specific airstrikes.
'State or state-sponsored actor' believed to be behind B.C. government hacks
The head of British Columbia’s civil service has revealed that a “state or state-sponsored actor” is behind multiple cyber-security incidents against provincial government networks.