Public Information Centre – Preliminary Design and Class Environmental Assessment Highway 3 St. Thomas to Aylmer
Public Information Centre – Preliminary Design and Class Environmental Assessment Highway 3 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 (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, including a preferred route alignment, will be identified and designated following completion of the study.
This notice is to announce the first Public Information Centre (PIC) for the study. The purpose of PIC 1 is to present and gather feedback on the existing conditions, route planning alternatives and proposed evaluation criteria. Members of the study team will be available to answer questions about the study.
The PIC will be held in a drop-in format as follows:
August 26, 2026
East Elgin Community Complex – Blueline Room
531 Talbot Street West
Aylmer ON N5H 2T9
4:00 PM to 7:00 PM
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 PICs are planned, and notices for each PIC will be published in local newspapers and sent to the study mailing list.
A Study Design Report (SDR) will be prepared during the Planning phase and made available for a 30-day comment period. The SDR will outline the need and justification, alternatives to the undertaking, the Class EA process, the consultation program, the route alternatives, evaluation of route alternatives and the preferred route alignment. A Notice of SDR will be published in local newspapers and sent to the study mailing list.
At the end of the study, a Transportation Environmental Study Report (TESR) will be issued for a 30-day 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 mailing list.
COMMENTS
You are encouraged to participate in the study and provide comments in writing to the study team. If you wish to be added to the study mailing list or have questions, 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]
You are encouraged to visit the study website, www.highway3elgineast.ca where information including study notices, background information, PIC displays, and the SDR and TESR will be made available as the study progresses. You can also submit comments to the study 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.