The Study Process
This project is following the Environmental Assessment process for a Group ‘B’ project in accordance with the Class EA for Provincial Transportation Facilities (2000), with the opportunity for public input throughout the project.
The detail design phase of the project will focus on refinement of the design of the intersection improvements and preparation of drawings and specifications for tendering of the project for construction. A Notice of Commencement will be issued at the start of the assignment.
A Public Information Centre (PIC) will be held to provide information about the refinement of the design of the intersection improvements; updated natural environmental, socio-economic, cultural and technical conditions within the study area; environmental impacts and mitigation measures to be implemented during construction; and next steps.
Upon completion of this phase, a Design and Construction Report (DCR) will be prepared to document the Class EA process followed, including a description of the Recommended Plan, environmental impacts and mitigation measures. The DCR will be filed for a 30-day comment period. At that time, notices will be published in a local newspaper, letters will be circulated to the study contact list and the project website will be updated to explain the review process and how the DCR can be reviewed.
Considering that the original preliminary design was approved in 2009, the previous TESR will be reviewed to note any changes to existing environmental conditions, legislation, regulations and policies that may affect the environmental impacts and mitigation measures. This TESR Review will be incorporated into the DCR.
In accordance with the MTO Class EA, there is no ‘bump-up’ opportunity (i.e., opportunity to make a Section 16 Order request to the Minister of Environment, Conservation and Parks) for the DCR. However, interested persons are encouraged to review and comment on the DCR. If there are no outstanding concerns after the 30-day review period has expired, further documentation will not be prepared, and construction may commence without further notice.
Trans Canada Trail
The project will also include assessment and preliminary design of a new crossing of the Trans-Canada Trail at the new County Road 41 alignment. An at-grade Trans Canada Trail crossing was recommended as part of the 2009 TESR. The possibility of a grade-separated crossing is being evaluated under the Preliminary Design portion of the project and would represent a significant change to the design, which will require an Addendum to the 2009 Transportation Environmental Study Report (TESR).
Should a TESR Addendum be required, focused consultation will through stakeholder meetings and PIC will be held to present an overview of the TESR Addendum process, including updated existing natural environmental, socio-economic, cultural and technical conditions within the study area; alternative designs for the new crossing; the evaluation criteria used to assess the alternatives; the preferred alternative; environmental impacts and mitigation measures; and the next steps.
A TESR Addendum report will be prepared and filed for a 30-day comment period. Interested persons will be encouraged to review the document and provide comments. The final TESR Addendum will be posted on the website.
Notices providing the time and location of the PICs will be posted on the project website. Following the PICs, digital copies of the PIC display materials will be posted on the project website.
