1.1.1   Invitation

This Request for Proposal (the “RFP”) is an invitation by the Regional Municipality of Niagara (“Niagara Region”) to prospective proponents to submit proposals for Niagara Region Roadway Asset Operational Review, as further described in Section A of the RFP Particulars (Appendix B) (the “Deliverables”).

1.1.1.1            Project Background and Objective

In 2009, Niagara Region retained the services of an Engineering Consultant to carry out a Transportation Services Sustainability Review (TSSR) of various assets within the Regional Road right-of-way including the criteria for establishing Regional Road ownership and the current and future jurisdiction of the Regional/Local Municipal Road networks.

1. The assignment was led by the successful consultant (Phillips Engineering & Delcan Corporation) and overseen by a Joint Steering Committee consisting of senior staff from Niagara Region, Local Municipalities, Ministry of Transportation Ontario, and Niagara Parks Commission.

Key highlights of the delivered report included:

1. Identification of roads as candidates for jurisdiction change
2. Recommendations regarding ownership of illumination on Region Roads
3. Recommendations for ownership and maintenance of storm sewers on Regional Roads
4. Commentary around the ownership, operations and maintenance of enhanced right-of way features such as landscaping and other boulevard treatments
5. A review was completed on the current criteria for classification of a Regional Road (based on the classification at the time & compared to other similar two-tier municipalities).

The 2009 report was approved by RN Council. Over the past 13 years Niagara Region staff have worked to implement the recommendations of the 2009 report.  Implementation has been met with complexities which have affected the full implementation as compared to original expectations.  Highlighted below are some of the action items and the current status.

In recognition of the time that has passed since the completion of the 2009 report, growth within the Region and the completion of the 2017 Regional Transportation Master Plan, it is timely to complete a refresh of the 2009 report.  In addition, some of the recommendations from the 2009 report have been challenged in recent years with several Local Municipalities seeking clarification on some of the findings of the 2009 report since not all the recommendations were formalized.

As Niagara Region has changed significantly since 2009, it is time for a comprehensive review to be undertaken of the initial report’s recommendations with identification of specific actions and ownership.

The Request for Proposal is for a full review and update of the 2009 report with a stated understanding that this exercise will update the 2009 document.  The successful Proponent shall be required to complete a thorough review of the 2009 report and compare that against the current culture and vision of Niagara Region and industry best practices.

Please refer to the RFP Particulars (Appendix B) for a detailed description of the deliverables, material disclosures and mandatory requirements.