Class Environmental Assessment Process

The Preliminary Design and Class Environmental Assessment Study followed the Ontario Ministry of Transportation (MTO) Class Environmental Assessment (EA) for Provincial Transportation Facilities (2000). The MTO Class EA provides a decision-making process to make sure that all relevant engineering and environmental factors are considered in the planning and design of transportation facilities. This Detail Design and Class Environmental Assessment Study is continuing to follow the 2000 MTO Class EA and is being undertaken as a Group ‘B’ project, which includes highway improvements that provide/cause a significant modification in traffic access.

Diagram showing the stages of the Class Environmental Assessment Process, described in detail through the link below
The Class Environmental Assessment Process text description of the diagram

Upon completion of the project, a Design and Construction Report (DCR) will be prepared to document the following:

  • The detail design of the Recommended Plan and construction staging plan
  • A full description of the consultation program
  • Identification of all project approvals, licenses and permits that have been or must be obtained
  • Environmental impacts, mitigation, and protection measures that will be implemented
  • Commitments to future work

The DCR will be placed on the Public Record for a comment period of 30 calendar days to provide the opportunity for stakeholders to review and comment on the document. The DCR will also be made available on the project website.

Detailed information regarding the MTO Class EA and Ontario EA Act is available via the Documentation section of this website.