GTA West Transportation Corridor

Official Plan Amendment

The Town of Halton Hills adopted an Official Plan Amendment (OPA 21) in 2014 to protect the future location of transportation corridors in the Town of Halton Hills, identified in the Halton Peel Boundary Area Transportation Study (HPBATS), and the GTA West (Greater Toronto Area) Transportation Corridor Environmental Assessment (EA). A key map defining the lands affected by the Official Plan Amendment can be found in the timeline below.

In addition to the Town's Official Plan Amendment, a Regional Official Plan Amendment was also prepared to address corridor protection and phasing of the urban employment area in the Region of Halton's Official Plan. The policies outlined in OPA 21 align with those outlined by the Regional Municipality of Halton. The Regional Municipality of Halton also maintained approval authority of OPA 21.

GTA West Transportation Corridor Environmental Assessment

The Ministry of Transportation (MTO) initiated the GTA West (EA) in 2007 to plan for future infrastructure, and consider options for improved transportation of people and goods throughout the Greater Golden Horseshoe. The study area extended north of Highway 401, between Highway 400 in the city of Vaughan and the City of Guelph. In 2015, the MTO released a Focused Analysis Area map defining the route that is now referred to as the "GTA West Transportation Corridor".

For questions concerning property, project timelines and other inquiries regarding the GTA West Environmental Assessment or proposed GTA West Corridor, visit the GTA West Corridor website or visit their FAQ page. Residents can also e-mail the GTA West Project Team at project_team@gta-west.com or call toll-free at 1-877-522-6916.

Timeline of events

2007
- GTA West Environmental Assessment (EA) initiated by the MTO.
2010
- The MTO recommends more detailed analysis of two routes:
  - Alternative 4-2 – a new transportation corridor following the proposed north-south HPBATS corridor through Halton Hills and the widening of the 401 through Milton.
  - Alternative 4-3 – a new transportation corridor extending southwesterly through agricultural and rural areas of Halton Hills, between 5 Side Road and 10 Side Road, connecting to Highway 401 outside of Tremaine Road in Milton.
2011
- The MTO releases Draft Transportation Strategy consisting of one option combining elements from both Alternative 4-2 and Alternative 4-3.
- Through Report No. INF-2011-0035, the Town of Halton Hills requests that the MTO only considers development of Alternative 4-2.
2012
- Stage 1 of GTA West EA complete - the MTO determines need for corridor and releases the GTA West Corridor Transportation Development Strategy Report outlining findings and recommendations.
- Town of Halton Hills endorses strategy through Report No. INF-2012-0036, encouraging Ministry to:
  - Commence Stage 2 of the GTA West EA.
  - Ensure impact of proposed highway on existing properties is minimized.
  - Consider HPBATS findings, specifically the proposed highway connection in Norval.
2014
- The MTO begins Stage 2 of GTA West EA – during this stage, the MTO aims to further define alignment of corridor proposed in 2012 report.
- Town of Halton Hills holds an Open House to inform public on the status of the GTA West EA and proposed Official Plan Amendment (OPA 21) to protect lands along the corridor for the future highway corridor and related transportation improvements. View the report on this public meeting.
- Town of Halton Hills adopts OPA 21, placing holds on lands along proposed corridor in an effort to protect the area from development pending the completion of Stage 2 of GTA West EA. See the map.
2015
- During Stage 2, the MTO releases a Focused Analysis Area (FAA) identifying properties likely to be directly impacted by the proposed corridor (orange) and properties that would likely be free of impact (green). The proposed corridor (orange) is commonly referred to as the “GTA West Transportation Corridor”.
- Province then suspends GTA West EA and an advisory panel is formed to assess the continuation of the project. See the map.

2017
- The GTA West Corridor Advisory Panel recommends the GTA West EA be cancelled and an alternate approach taken.
2018
- Based on Advisory Panel's report, Minister of Transportation cancels GTA West EA in February.
- Province announces new, narrower and refined corridor known as the Northwest GTA (NWGTA) Corridor Identification Study Area.Town of Halton Hills releases a statement applauding decision to move forward with project.
  - Proposed area is approximately one-third the size of the original GTA West Corridor.
  - Proposed area considers other transportation and infrastructure opportunities.
- Decision was expected regarding results of study by 2019; however, after the 2018 Provincial Election the new NWGTA Study was cancelled.
2019
- Provincial Government announces it will be resuming the GTA West EA at Stage 2, (where it left off in 2015) and resumes project in June 2019. View the Bulletin.
  - Announcement confirms that the FAA introduced in 2015 is again being considered.
- Ministry of Transportation holds a Public Information Centre to present the draft Technically Preferred Route and Focused Analysis Area.
- The Town of Halton Hills passes Resolution 2019-0195 asking the province to re-evaluate the GTA West Corridor project and all other transportation projects. This ensures that future transportation investment helps reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions per the Town's and the Region of Halton's Climate Change Emergency Declarations.
2020
- Minister of Transportation issues a letter providing a status update on the GTA West Corridor project and recaps efforts to accelerate the EA process and release the lands currently under protection.

While the FAA indicates that properties included in the green area of the map may proceed for development purposes, any lands included within the Town of Halton Hills' Corridor Protection Areas (issued through 2014 Official Plan Amendment No. 21) remain restricted from development. This restriction continues until the Region and Town are able to refine or remove the policies and related mapping from Official Plans. View updated map of the FAA.

Get Involved

You are invited to attend the Community Engagement Webinar hosted by the GTA West Project Team on July 28, 2021 from 6 to 8 p.m.

The GTA West Project Team will provide a brief overview of the project followed by a question & answer period. Expert panelists from a variety of disciplines (e.g., noise, air quality, fisheries, archaeology, etc.) will be in attendance to answer your questions.

Click on the Zoom registration link under the "Upcoming Opportunities for Input" section.

If you have accessibility requirements, please leave a message at the toll-free telephone line at 1-877-522-6916.

Submit Questions

If you have questions that you would like to submit in advance of the Webinar, please e-mail the GTA West Project Team, submit them through the contact form or call the toll-free telephone line at 1-877-522-6916.

For more information please visit the project website.

Background documents

Staff reports

PDS-2014-0029 – GTA West/Halton Peel Boundary Area Transportation Study Corridor Protection - Halton Hills Premier Gateway Phasing and Replacement Supply
PDS-2014-0039 – Statutory Public Meeting Report
PDS-2014-0047 – Recommendation Report