The Ontario Ministry of Transportation (MTO) has retained AECOM to undertake a Class Environmental Assessment (EA) and Detail Design Study for the rehabilitation of the Highway 115 corridor between Airport Road and Highway 7/Lansdowne Street in the City of Peterborough, including rehabilitating the following westbound bridges: Rail-To-Trail Overhead, Bensfort Road and Otonabee River. This project is not a highway expansion project but rather a project intended to maintain the highway in a good state of condition. Construction is anticipated to start in Fall 2019 and be completed by late 2021. Project timing is subject to change based on funding, planning, design, environmental approval and construction requirements
The study is following the approved planning process for Group 'B' projects under the MTO Class EA for Provincial Transportation Facilities (2000), with the opportunity for public input throughout. A Notice of Study Commencement was published in the Peterborough This Week and Peterborough Examiner in September 2017. A 30-day review period to provide comments on the recommended plan ended on May 17, 2019. To notify of the review period, a Notice of Project was published in the Peterborough This Week and Peterborough Examiner in April 2019.
The Class EA process provides an opportunity to “step-down” a project from a Group 'B' to Group 'C' if it is determined that the project will not significantly affect the environment and if there is no benefit in preparing a Transportation Environmental Study Report (TESR). After careful consideration, MTO has determined that there will be no significant adverse environmental effects associated with this project. As a result of MTO’s decision, the project will be “stepped-down” to a Group 'C' project in accordance with the Step-Down Process for Group 'B' projects. Also as a result of the “step-down”, the project will not be eligible for a Part II Order (“bump-up”). An Environmental Screening Document (ESD) will be issued for internal use.
There is a 30-day public review period of MTO’s decision to “step-down” the project to a Group 'C' that will end on June 27, 2019. Affected parties may request MTO to reconsider its decision at any time during the review period. If you have comments, please contact one of the Project Team members listed on the Project Team Contacts page or fill out the comment form below by June 27, 2019. If MTO and the requester cannot agree, the requester may apply to the Minister of the Environment (135 St. Clair Avenue West, Toronto, Ontario, M4V 1P5) for a decision. A copy of the request should be forwarded to MTO and AECOM at the addresses below.
Have your say!
To be added to the contact list or to send your comments to the Project Team, please complete the online form below and click “submit”. Alternatively, you can call one of the Project Team members listed in the Project Team Contacts section of this website.
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Comments are being collected to provide and obtain information, and to identify concerns in accordance with 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 Project Team members listed on the Project Team Contacts section of the website.