Municipalities in Ontario follow the Municipal Class Environmental Assessment process under the Ontario Environmental Assessment Act to complete an Environmental Assessment (EA) for most transportation, water and wastewater projects.
The Class EA is a phased planning approach that includes 5 main study phases and public consultation. The complexity and extent of the environmental impact of a specific project determines the number of phases to be completed to comply with the Class EA process. The 5 phases are as follows:
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Phase 1 - Problem or Opportunity
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The completion of this phase requires the proponent to document the factors that lead to the conclusion that an improvement or change is warranted.
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Phase 2 - Alternative Solutions
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In this phase, alternative solutions to the problem or opportunity are identified and evaluated, taking into account the existing environment. A recommended preferred solution can be developed with input from the public and review agencies. The nature of the solution will determine if the proponent is required to complete additional phases of the Class EA process.
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Phase 3 - Alternative Design Concepts for Preferred Solution
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If required, this phase will examine alternative methods of implementing the preferred solution, again considering environmental impacts and public and review agency input.
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Phase 4 - Environmental Study Report
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This phase includes the preparation of an Environmental Study Report that documents the rationale and planning and consultative process undertaken for the project and the publication of the report for public review.
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Phase 5 - Implementation
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This is the implementation phase of the Class EA process. This phase allows for design and construction of the items as planned in earlier phases, and monitoring for compliance with those planning principles.
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Schedules |
Class EA projects fall into 1 of the 3 following Schedules depending on the potential environmental impact of the project:
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Public review opportunities |
Public Information CentresPublic consultation takes place through Public Information Centres where comments and concerns are identified and discussed. These meetings are advertised in local newspapers. Stakeholder consultation takes place through direct contact with local landowners where there is potential for impact. Stakeholder meetings provide a more direct opportunity to discuss comments and concerns. Notification of these meetings is sent directly to project stakeholders. Part II Orders30-day public and agency review is advertised in local newspapers as part of the Notice of Study Completion. Any outstanding comments and concerns must be provided to the proponent during this time. If concerns cannot be resolved through discussion, a "Part II Order" request may be sent to the Minister of the Environment. This means that the Minister is requested to review the process to decide whether or not an Individual EA is required. This may also be referred to as complying with Part II of the Ontario EA Act. An Individual EA is the most extensive assessment process available in Ontario and is sent to the Minister of the Environment for review and approval. The Municipal Class Environmental Assessment (October 2000, as amended in 2007 & 2011) sets out the process explained above. It was developed by the Municipal Engineers Association and approved by the Minister of the Environment under the Ontario Environmental Assessment Act. For information regarding Regional Environmental Assessment Projects, please see Halton Region. For more information please visit the GTA West Corridor Study website. |
Current studies
Halton Hills Drive Connection Study |
Maple Avenue to Princess Anne Drive
PurposeHalton Hills Drive in its present form extends for approximately 150 metres northerly from Maple Avenue, and 150m southerly from Princess Anne Drive. These road segments serve as a public access to the Town of Halton Hills Town Hall at 1 Halton Hills Drive, private access to 3 Halton Hills Drive, and the Bennett Health Care Centre. As a component of the Town's Official Plan (2008) and Transportation Master Plan (2011), it was envisioned that an extension of Halton Hills Drive as a collector roadway from Maple Avenue to Princess Anne Drive would help alleviate existing traffic on Trafalgar Road and serve as an alternate route between Maple Avenue and Princess Anne Drive. ScopeThis study will develop and evaluate alternatives for the connection of Halton Hills Drive from Maple Avenue to Princess Anne Drive. Study documents
For more information please contact Maureen Van Ravens or the following project manager: Jamshaid Muzaffar, P.Eng. |
Armstrong Avenue reconstruction |
Mountainview Road North to Guelph Street
PurposeArmstrong Avenue is a major industrial roadway which serves a significant number of local industries in providing direct access between Guelph Street (Highway No. 7) and Mountainview Road. It is estimated that the traffic demands on Armstrong Avenue over the next twenty years can be satisfied with a two lane roadway. However, the Town has identified the need to reconstruct Armstrong Avenue. ScopeThe Town of Halton Hills initiated this Municipal Class EA study to determine the best design alternative to address the rehabilitation of Armstrong Avenue from Mountainview Road North to Guelph Street. The scope of this study is to:
Key recommendationsThis study recommends reconstructing Armstrong Avenue from Mountainview Road North to Guelph Street with an urban two-lane cross section that includes operational improvements to better define the travel lanes and driveway entrances with overall improved safety and traffic operations. The recommended design also includes a multi-use path to provide pedestrian and cyclist access to the Armstrong industrial area. Study documentsThe Armstrong Design Study was used to determine the feasibility of installing cycling and pedestrian facilities. For more information please contact Aaron Brown. |
Glen Lawson Road and Third Line Corridor study |
Acton Urban Boundary to Fourth Line
PurposeThe purpose of this study is to consider options for road improvements along the Glen Lawson Road/Third Line corridor. ScopeThis study will assess current and future transportation demand and develop and evaluate suitable alternative solutions to safely and efficiently accommodate traffic along this corridor. Alternative solutions that may be considered include Glen Lawson Road / Third Line intersection improvements and/or new alignments from the Acton Urban Boundary to Fourth Line. Study documents
For more information please contact the following project manager: Sal Marrelli, P.Eng. |
Eighth Line Municipal Class Environmental Assessment study |
Environmental Study Report (ESR) - 60 Day ReviewThe Environmental Study Report (ESR) has been prepared to document the planning and decision-making process for this study. The ESR is now available on public record and will be available for a 60-day review period starting July 13, 2023, and ending September 11, 2023, in accordance with the requirements of the MCEA process. Following an extensive evaluation, the preferred road design concepts for the four main segments of Eighth Line within the Study Area (see map below) including: Steeles Avenue to 5 Side Road; 5 Side Road to 10 Side Road; 10 Side Road to 15 Side Road and 15 Side Road to Maple Avenue. The preferred road design concept for three of the four major road segments includes one travel lane in each direction and one bi-directional centre turn lane with multi-use paths (MUPs) on each side of the roadway. The preferred road design concept for the segment of Eighth Line between 10 Side Road and 15 Side Road varies from the other segments and includes two travel lanes in each direction and one bi-direction centre turn lane with MUPs on each side of the roadway. To view the Notice of Study Completion, please click here. Steeles Avenue to Maple AvenueThe Town of Halton Hills is undertaking a Schedule C Municipal Class Environmental Assessment (Class EA) for Improvements to Eighth Line from Steeles Avenue to Maple Avenue. The need for the improvements to Eighth Line has been identified due to the increased population and greater demand on the Town's road network. The Class EA study will evaluate traffic capacity, travel demand management measures, safety issues, natural environment impacts, land use implications, transit and active transportation considerations. To address transportation capacity needs in the study area, alternatives will be examined as part of the study including the impacts of alternatives on the social, cultural and natural environment.
Study processThe study is being conducted in accordance with Ontario's Environmental Assessment Act, a study which will define the problem, identify and evaluate alternative solutions, and develop a preferred design for the corridor in consultation with adjacent property owners, regulatory agencies, indigenous communities, members of the local business community and the public. The study is being carried out in accordance with the planning and design process for Schedule C projects as outlined in the Municipal Class Environmental Assessment (October 2000, as amended in 2007, 2011 and 2015), which is approved under the Ontario Environmental Assessment Act. As included in the study process, an Environmental Study Report (ESR) will be prepared and made available for public review and comment. Following the public review phase, the report will be considered to have EA approval and may be recognized to proceed into the implementation phase. Study timelineConsultation with Stakeholders (public, indigenous communities and agencies) is a key component of the study. Public Information Centres (PICs) will be held to discuss issues related to the Project, including alternative solutions, evaluation criteria, alternative designs, environmental impacts and mitigation measures. PIC dates and details will be advertised as the study progresses. Get involvedYou are encouraged to participate in the study by attending consultation events or by directly contacting the study team with information, comments or questions. Updated project information and supported documentations may be posted intermittently on the Town's study website. The study will also have the benefit of input from agency, business and public consultation groups that will meet at key points during the study. Two open houses will be scheduled throughout the study as an opportunity for interested persons to learn about the study and provide input. Notifications for the open house will be provided through local newspapers, e-mails to the study mailing list and postings on the website. Your input is importantIf you have any questions or comments regarding the study, or wish to be added to the study mailing list, please contact the assigned Town Project Manager listed below. Interested/Concerned general public can provide comments throughout the duration of the EA process. Any information that is collected will become part of the public record, 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. Accessibility is a vital aspect which the Town respects and wishes to accommodate accordingly. If you require special accommodation, please call or email the Town of Halton Hill's Project Manager, below, before the event. Study documents
If you would like access to the ESR appendices or are looking for more information, please contact Ivan Drewnitski. |
