The Class Environmental Assessment Process
The projects included in this study are currently being completed in accordance with the Ontario Ministry of Transportation (MTO) Class Environmental Assessment for Provincial Transportation Facilities (2000). The MTO Class Environmental Assessment for Provincial Transportation Facilities (2000) provides a decision-making process to ensure that all relevant engineering and environmental factors are considered in the planning and design of transportation facilities. In 2019, modernization of MTO’s Class EA was initiated. The Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks, whose ministry regulates MTO’s Class EA, approved amendments to the Class EA on December 13, 2023, and February 22, 2024. As part of the amendments, the Class EA has been renamed to the Class Environmental Assessment for Provincial Transportation Facilities and Municipal Expressways (2024). An overview of the 2024 Class EA process is provided in the figure below.
Some ongoing projects are eligible to transition from following the 2000 Class EA process to following the new 2024 Class EA process. The projects included in this study are eligible for transition under Section 11.2.3.2 (Transition Requirements for Projects that Completed Preliminary Design). Transitioning to the new 2024 Class EA process will improve the planning process of the projects beyond the Preliminary Design stage and brings MTO into alignment with best practices observed in other Class EA frameworks. Transitioning from the requirements of the 2000 Class EA to the 2024 Class EA will also optimize the assessment process by removing redundancies and expediting project planning to facilitate a more streamlined implementation process. As such, the projects in this study are proposed to be transitioned to follow the new 2024 Class EA process. Commitments made during the Preliminary Design phase will be addressed as the study progresses through the design process.
The Highway 3 Twinning Preliminary Design, Detail Design, and Class EA study is being undertaken as a Group ‘B’ project in accordance with the requirements of the Class EA, which includes major improvements to existing transportation facilities. Preliminary Design of this project is complete and is documented in the Highway 3 Twinning Transportation Environmental Study Report (2024). The project is advancing into the Detail Design (i.e., Implementation) stage.
The Talbotville Bypass Preliminary Design, Detail Design, and Class EA study is being undertaken as a Group ‘A’ project, which includes new provincial highways and freeways, major realignments, and bypasses to existing provincial highways/freeways that do not substantially follow the existing right-of-way and extensions to existing provincial highways/freeways. Preliminary Design of this project is complete and is documented in the Talbotville Bypass and Highway 4 Widening Transportation Environmental Study Report (2024). The project is advancing into the Detail Design (i.e., Implementation) stage.
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Learn more about the Environmental Assessment process.
Highway 3 Twinning (GWP 3041-22-00)
Preliminary Design, Detail Design, and Group ‘B’ Class EA (GWP 3041-22-00)
This project includes the construction of two additional lanes (i.e., twinning) along Highway 3 from Ron McNeil Line to Centennial Road (approximately 9.4 km). Associated drainage, bridge, and culvert improvements will be undertaken to facilitate the highway twinning, including construction of new culverts and/or bridges, and rehabilitation or replacement of existing culverts and bridges.
Preliminary Design for this project is complete and is documented in the Highway 3 Twinning Transportation Environmental Study Report (2024). During Preliminary Design, design alternatives were developed and evaluated to select a Preferred Plan, which was then refined using input from agencies, stakeholders, and the public to become the Finalized Plan. The Finalized Plan will be carried forward to the Detail Design (i.e., Implementation) phase of the project. Construction will follow Detail Design.
Stakeholder consultation will continue to take place through Detail Design. Contact the project team to provide any comments you may have or if you wish to be added to the study mailing list.
Highway 3 Bypass (GWP 3042-22-00)
Preliminary Design, Detail Design, and Group ‘A’ Class EA (GWP 3042-22-00)
This project includes the construction of a new four-lane highway from approximately 0.8 km south of Clinton Line to Highway 3 at Ron McNeil Line. In addition, Highway 4 will be widened from two (2) to four (4) lanes from Clinton Line to the new Talbotville Bypass. Associated drainage and infrastructure improvements will also be undertaken to facilitate the construction of the bypass, including construction of new roundabouts or interchanges, culverts, and bridges.
Preliminary Design for this project is complete and is documented in the Talbotville Bypass and Highway 4 Widening Transportation Environmental Study Report (2024). During Preliminary Design, design alternatives were developed and evaluated to select a Preferred Plan, which was then refined using input from agencies, stakeholders, and the public to become the Finalized Plan. The Finalized Plan will be carried forward to the Detail Design (i.e., Implementation) phase of the project. Construction will follow Detail Design.
Stakeholder consultation will continue to take place through Detail Design. Contact the project team to provide any comments you may have or if you wish to be added to the study mailing list.