NOTICE OF STUDY COMMENCEMENT - Highway 401 Planning Study from 1 km east of Highway 16 to 2.5 km east of Shanly Road

NOTICE OF STUDY COMMENCEMENT
Highway 401 Planning Study from 1 km east of Highway 16 to 2.5 km east of Shanly Road
Township of Edwardsburgh / Cardinal, United County of Leeds & Grenville
Preliminary Design and Class Environmental Assessment Study (GWP 4137-22-00)

THE STUDY

The Ontario Ministry of Transportation (MTO) has retained HDR Inc. (HDR) to undertake a Preliminary Design and Class Environmental Assessment (Class EA) Study focusing on the replacement of Shanly Road Underpass, interchange improvements and establishing the footprint of Highway 401 for future six lanes, from 1 km east of Highway 16 to 2.5 km east of Shanly Road for approximately 10.1 km (The Study). The purpose of The Study is to identify a Recommended Plan that addresses current and future needs for the provincial highway network.

This Study will include reviewing existing conditions, developing and evaluating alternatives, identifying appropriate improvements, and developing environmental protection/mitigation measures. A Recommended Plan will be confirmed and designated (protected) at the completion of The Study. The Study area falls within the Township of Edwardsburgh/Cardinal, United County of Leeds & & Greenville as shown in the key plan.

THE PROCESS

The Study will follow the Class Environmental Assessment for Provincial Transportation Facilities and Municipal Expressways, 2024 (Class EA) process for a Group ‘B’ project. Engagement with external agencies, Indigenous communities, the public and interest groups will take place throughout The Study, including two Public Information Centres (PICs). The PICs will provide an opportunity to discuss The Study with the Project Team members. The first PIC is planned for spring/summer 2026 and will provide an opportunity to review the preliminary alternatives and the proposed evaluation criteria. The second PIC is planned for later in the study to present the evaluation of the alternatives and the preferred plan. Notices providing the time and location of the PICs will be published in local newspapers and sent to persons on the project mailing list.

Upon completion of The Study, the preferred plan will be documented in a Transportation Environmental Study Report (TESR) and made available for public review. The TESR will also describe how the requirements of the Class EA were met; how the project achieves the overall transportation benefit while minimizing environmental impacts; engagement with individuals, external agencies, and Indigenous communities; and commitments for further engagement and environmental protection. A Notice of Completion will be issued, at which point there will be a 30-day comment period allowing for an opportunity to provide comments on the TESR.

COMMENTS

Please visit us at www.Highway401-Cardinal.ca for further project information. If you wish to obtain additional information, provide comments, or would like to be added to the study’s mailing list, you can do so through the website or by contacting the project team members listed below.

Jian Guan, P. Eng.
Consultant Project Manager HDR 100 York Boulevard
Suite 300
Richmond Hill, ON L4B 1J8 Tel: 647-321-5134
Email: Jian.Guan@hdrinc.com

Sevag Amen, P.Eng.
Senior Project Engineer
Ontario Ministry of Transportation
Project Delivery East
Design and Engineering Branch
1355 John Counter Boulevard, PO Box 4000 Kingston, Ontario K7L 5A3
Tel: 613-483-5489
Email: Sevag.Amen@ontario.ca

If you have any accessibility requirements in order to participate in this project, please contact one of the Team members listed above. Comments and information will be collected to assist 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, R.S.O., 1990, c.F.31. 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. 

Attachments

GWP 4137-22-00 Notice of Study Commencement - Final