CLASS ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT AND PRELIMINARY DESIGN STUDY (G.W.P. 10-20011)

THE STUDY

URS Canada Inc. has been retained by the Ontario Ministry of Transportation (MTO) to undertake a Class Environmental Assessment and Preliminary Design Study (G.W.P. 10-20011) along the 25 km stretch of Highway 401 from Brock Road in the City of Pickering to Courtice Road in the Municipality of Clarington. The primary focus of this study is to confirm the rehabilitation needs of the corridor. In parallel, the Study Team has confirmed the long-term capacity and operational needs so that rehabilitation investments can be made with an understanding of the long-term vision for the corridor.

The long-term vision for the corridor includes the extension of the 12 lane core-collector system from Brock Road to the Highway 407 West Durham Link, and widening of Highway 401 to 10 lanes easterly from the Highway 407 West Durham Link to Courtice Road. In addition, modifications to each of the interchanges along this section of the highway are required to accommodate the proposed widening and provide adequate traffic operations.

The section of Highway 401 between Salem Road and Brock Street was reviewed as part of a separate study (W.O. 09-20009) that considered the capacity, operational, and safety needs of that section of Highway 401. The study also included the integration of the planned improvements for the Highway 407 West Durham Link connection to Highway 401 and a new Lakeridge Road interchange. The recommended plan for this study (G.W.P. 10-20011) incorporates the recommendations from the Salem Road and Brock Street study.

THE PROCESS

This study is following the approved planning process for a Group ‘B’ project under the MTO Class Environmental Assessment for Provincial Transportation Facilities (2000).

Public Information Centre was held in March 2013 to provide the public with the opportunity to discuss the project and comment on the alternatives being considered. The second PIC has now been arranged to provide the public with the opportunity to view and provide comments on the rehabilitation recommendations and the recommended plan for the long-term vision of this section of Highway 401.

Following, a Transportation Environmental Study Report (TESR) will be prepared and made available for public and agency review for 30-days. Notice of the review period will be published in local newspapers (as well as being available online at www.durhamregion.com/printeditions) and will be mailed to those on the study mailing list.

PUBLIC INFORMATION CENTRE #2

The public is invited to attend Public Information Centre #2 on:

Thursday November 20th, 2014 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Best Western Plus Durham Hotel & Conference Centre
Octaviens East
559 Bloor Street West, Oshawa, ON L1J 5Y6

This PIC will be an informal drop-in centre. Representatives from the MTO and the consultant team will be available to answer questions, receive comments and discuss the next steps in this project. You are encouraged to attend the PIC and provide the Study Team with your views and comments so that they can be considered as the project progresses.

COMMENTS

To obtain additional information, provide comments, or to be placed on the study mailing list, please contact the Study Team as follows:

 

David Fallows, P.Eng.
Senior Project Engineer
Highway Engineering – Toronto and Durham Ministry of Transportation, Central Region Building D, 4th Floor, 1201 Wilson Avenue Downsview, ON M3M 1J8
Tel: 416-235-5519
Fax: 416-235-3576
project_team@401brocktocourtice.ca


Patrick Puccini, P.Eng., AVS
Senior Project Manager URS Canada Inc.
4th Floor, 30 Leek Crescent Richmond Hill, ON L4B 4N4 Tel:  905-882-4401
Fax:  905-882-4399
project_team@401brocktocourtice.ca


Holly Wright, M.E.B., MCIP, RPP Project Environmental Planner URS Canada Inc.
4th Floor, 30 Leek Crescent Richmond Hill, ON L4B 4N4
Tel:  905-882-4401
Fax:  905-882-4399
project_team@401brocktocourtice.ca

Or visit us at:  www.Highway401BrocktoCourtice.ca

There is an opportunity at any time during the study for interested persons to provide input to the Study Team including comments and information regarding the study. Comments are being collected to assist MTO in meeting the requirements of the Ontario Environmental Assessment Act. This material will be maintained on file for use during the study and may be included in project documentation.  Information collected will be used in accordance with the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. With the exception of personal information, all comments will become part of the public record.
If you have any accessibility requirements in order to participate in this project, please contact one of the Study Team members listed above.

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