Class Environmental Assessment Process

The Detailed Design and Environmental Assessment (EA) Study for the proposed improvements to Highway 138 between Highway 401 and Highway 417 is being carried out in accordance with the approved environmental planning process for Group ‘B’ Projects under the Ministry of Transportation of Ontario (MTO) Class Environmental Assessment (Class EA) for Provincial Transportation Facilities (2000).

This study builds upon the recommendations of the 2017 Transportation Environmental Study Report (TESR) and will advance the design of the proposed highway improvements while considering environmental, social, cultural, economic, and technical factors. As part of this assignment, the project team will re-assess existing conditions, undertake technical investigations, identify and evaluate potential impacts, consult with Indigenous Communities, stakeholders, government agencies, property owners, businesses, and the public, and develop mitigation measures where required to be included in contract documents. The general planning and design process is shown in the schematic below.

A TESR Addendum will be prepared to document any significant changes from the TESR and how those will be addressed as part of the Detailed Design process. The TESR Addendum will describe the nature of the changes, the environmental considerations associated with those changes, any new potential impacts identified, and the measures proposed to mitigate the changes. A Notice of Completion will be published to advise stakeholders when the TESR Addendum will be made available for a 30-day review period.

A Design and Construction Report (DCR) will also be prepared to document the Detailed Design process. A Notice of Completion will be published to advise stakeholders when the DCR will be made available for a 30-day review period.

A Public Information Centre (PIC) will be held during the Detailed Design process to provide interested parties with an opportunity to review the complete project information and provide feedback.

Project-related documents will be posted on the project website when available. A copy of the 2017 Transportation Environmental Study Report can be accessed in the Reports section of the website.