Ontario Ministry of Transportation Notice of Study Commencement: Highway 3 from St. Thomas to Aylmer
Ontario Ministry of Transportation Notice of Study Commencement: Highway 3 from St. Thomas to Aylmer
The Ontario Ministry of Transportation (MTO) has retained Stantec Consulting Ltd. to undertake a Planning, Preliminary Design, and Class Environmental Assessment (Class EA) Study for Highway 3 from St. Thomas to Aylmer, in Elgin County. This study will include reviewing existing conditions, developing and evaluating potential new route alternatives and short-term improvements, and developing environmental protection and mitigation measures. A Recommended Plan will be confirmed at the completion of the study. The preferred alignment will be designated following the study completion.
THE PROCESS
This study is a “Group A” project under the Class Environmental Assessment for Provincial Transportation Facilities and Municipal Expressways (2024) and includes undertaking environmental and engineering field investigations and seeking input from stakeholders, external agencies, Indigenous communities and the public.
Three Public Information Centres (PICs) are planned, and notices for each PIC will be published in local newspapers and sent to the study contact list.
A Study Design Report (SDR) will be prepared during the Planning phase and made available for a 30-day public comment period. The SDR will outline the need and justification, the Alternatives to the Undertaking, the Class EA process, the consultation program, the route alternatives, evaluation of route alternatives and the preferred route alternative. A Notice of SDR will be published in local newspapers and sent to the study contact list.
At the end of the study, a Transportation Environmental Study Report (TESR) will be released for a 30-day public comment period. The TESR will summarize the Class EA process, recommended plan, existing conditions, consultation activities, potential environmental effects, and proposed mitigation. A Notice of Completion/TESR Submission will be published in local newspapers and sent to the study contact list.
COMMENTS
You are encouraged to participate in the study and to provide comments in writing to the project team. If you wish to have your name added to the project mailing list or have questions about the study, please contact:
Gregg Cooke, P. Eng.
Consultant Project Manager
Stantec Consulting Ltd.
200-835 Paramount Drive
Stoney Creek ON L8J 0B4
Tel.: (905) 381-3227
E-mail: [email protected]
Sinisa Sakic, P.Eng. Lead Project Engineer
Ministry of Transportation, West Region
659 Exeter Road
London ON N6E 1L3
Tel.: (519) 854-9586
E-mail: [email protected]
Please visit the project website, www.highway3elgineast.ca, where project information including study notices, background information, PIC displays, SDR, and the TESR will be made available as the study progresses. You can also submit comments to the project team on the project website.
If you have any accessibility requirements in order to participate in this project, please contact one of the Project Team members listed above. Comments and information are being collected to assist the MTO in meeting the requirements of the Ontario Environmental Assessment Act. Information will be collected in accordance with the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. All comments will be maintained on file for use during the study and, with the exception of personal information, may be included in study documentation and become part of the public record.