Public information Centre 2 - HIGHWAY 403 AND HIGHWAY 6 INTERCHANGE IMPROVEMENTS

16. Next Steps

Next steps illustration showing: Project started in January 2021. In March 2022 there is PIC #2 (we are here now). Spring 2022 includes Environmental Protection and Mitigation Development, late summer / early fall 2022 includes TESR submission and stakeholder comment period and Fall 2022 includes the Environmental Clearance.

Freedom of Information & Protection of Privacy Act

Comments and information regarding this study are being collected to assist MTO and AECOM in meeting the requirements of the Ontario Environmental Assessment Act. This material will be maintained on file for the use of this study and may be included in study 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.

Thank you for participating
in PIC #2!

The Public Information Centre #2 was held on Thursday March 10, 2022. The comment period for the materials related to this PIC extended from February 24 to April 4, 2022. The comment period has now closed. Thank you for your interest in the project and providing feedback. If you would like to reach out to the Project Team, please contact us below:

Toll-Free Number: 1-877-417-3920

Email the Project Team at: ProjectTeam@Hwy403Hwy6PreliminaryDesignEA.ca

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15. Environmental Protection and Mitigation Measures

The following environmental studies have been conducted to identify potential environmental and community impacts as well as mitigation measures associated with the proposed highway improvements:

Fish and Fish Habitat Existing Conditions & Impact Assessment
Terrestrial Ecosystems Existing Conditions & Impact Assessment
Groundwater Study
Noise Study Report
Land Use Factors Report
Contamination Overview Study
Cultural Heritage Assessment Report
Stage 1 Archaeological Assessment
Landscape Composition Plan
Air Quality Assessment
Surface Water / Drainage & Hydrology Assessment
Erosion and Sediment Control Measures

The findings from these studies will be documented in the TESR.

Environmental Protection and Mitigation Measures

Potential Impacts	Summary of Key Mitigation Measures / Commitments to Future Work
Natural Environment
Fish & Fish Habitat	Rehabilitation and extension of the Grindstone Creek culvert and its tributaries and encroachment on Long Pond, Hamilton Harbour and Cootes Paradise: Apply standard Erosion and Sediment Control and Best Management Practices for the protection of fish and fish habitat. Restoration of riparian vegetation and stream bed at culvert inlets / outlets. Work to be undertaken within the appropriate timing windows (i.e. April 1 and June 30 of any year for warmwater streams). Identify measures to minimize encroachment to Long Pond, Hamilton Harbour and Cootes Paradise. DFO will be engaged during the detail design stage regarding approvals under the Federal Fisheries Act.
Terrestrial Ecosystems	Scheduled vegetation removal is to occur outside of the breeding bird season (April 1 to August 31) to avoid breeding birds and active nests. Confirm presence for Species at Risk (SAR) through target surveys at the detail design stage (i.e. for Bat SAR, Barn Swallow)
Niagara Escarpment Plan Areas	Minimize tree removals in Niagara Escarpment Natural and Protection Areas. Minimize footprint impacts through retaining walls where feasible through NEC designated areas. Restoration Plantings to minimize new edge effects.
Landscaping	A Preliminary Landscape Plan has been prepared for disturbed/impacted areas along the Highway 6 and Highway 403 corridors
Groundwater	Determine the need for a Permit to Take Water based on excavation details during detail design.
Erosion and Sediment Control	To minimize the potential for erosion to newly exposed slopes and ground surfaces, standard mitigation measures will be applied during detail design (e.g. silt fence, seed and mulch, sod, erosion control blanket).
Socio-Economic and Cultural Environment
Bruce Trail Crossing at Highway 6	Rehabilitation of the Pedestrian Culvert and modifications to the Old Guelph Road turnaround will temporally affect access to the crossing. The timing and duration will be examined during detail design.
Noise	Replacement of the noise barriers on the west side of Highway 6 between Northcliffe Ave. and York Road.
Air Quality	Provisions to minimize potential temporary impacts during construction include following best management practices such as dust suppression and periodic watering, as required.
Archaeology	Undertake Stage 2 Archeology Assessments in areas identified as having archaeological potential.
Technical Considerations
Traffic During Construction	Undertake Stage 2 Archeology Assessments in areas identified as having archaeological potential.

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The Recommended Plan for improvements to the Highway 6 and Highway 403 corridors includes:

Rehabilitation and extension of Grindstone Creek culvert
Rehabilitation of Hidden Valley Road culvert
Structure replacement on existing alignment of Lemonville Road, with full closure during construction
Structure replacement on existing alignment of Snake Road, with short term closures during construction
Structure replacement and realignment to the East at Plains Road West to facilitate traffic during construction
Rehabilitation of the Newman Road Bridge over the CPR line
Reconfiguration of Highway 403/Highway 6 interchange to include 250m ramp radii and right-hand exit/entrances. Ramp N-E will also include a single structure.
Replacement of existing structures for CN and CR Rail with a realignment to the outside.
Structure replacement on existing alignment of Old Guelph Road, with full closure during construction.
Structure improvements on existing alignment for the Highway 6 structure crossing CPR, includes a rehabilitation and widening on east and west side of the structure.
Rehabilitation of the structure at Highway 6/ York Road Interchange, including a future commuter parking lot at the southwest quadrant of the interchange.
Rehabilitation of Bruce Trail Pedestrian Culvert

Tunnel Structures-HiddenValleyGrindstoneCreek

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Snake Road Overpass
Replace on Existing Alignment

Old Guelph Road Overpass
Replace on Existing Alignment

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Main Public Information Centre Page

Evaluation of Alternatives

Alternative 1
Future Existing Configuration
(West Ramp Terminal Intersection)
(not preferred)

Same footprint
Accommodates a carpool lot in the southwest quadrant
No impacts on the natural, socio-economic and cultural environment

Alternative 4
Future Existing Condition & East Ramp
Terminal Intersection Improvements
(the Preferred Alternative)

Accommodates a carpool lot in the southwest quadrant
Lower construction cost compared to Alternative 7
Minor impacts to natural, socio-economic and cultural environments
Minor improvements throughout the interchange are recommended

Alternative 7
Single Point Urban Interchange (SPUI)
(not preferred)

Safety and operational benefits
Complex construction staging
Notable impact to utilities
Highest construction cost
Disruption of one residential property and displacement of two residential properties
Removal of vegetation
Largest potential impact to groundwater due to deeper excavations

The roundabout feature is part of another study, and is anticipated to be part of the existing condition when this project proceeds.

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Alternative 2
CNR to East, CPR to West of Existing Alignments
(the Preferred Alternative)

Largest potential impact on natural environment
No additional property required
Minimal area of archaeological potential may be displaced
Minimal disruption to rail operations
Minimal track closures required during construction

Alternative 5
CNR Staged on Existing Alignment
CPR to West of Existing Alignment
(not preferred)

Minor impacts to natural environment
No additional property required
Minimal area of archaeological potential may be displaced
Significant disruption to CN rail operations due to one track closure required during construction

Alternative 7
CNR Staged on Existing Alignment,
CPR on Existing Alignment with Temporary Bridge
(not preferred)

Minor, temporary impacts to the natural environment
Significant disruption to CN rail operations due to one track closure during construction

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Evaluation of Alternatives

Alternative 1
Realign to the East,
Curved Structure
(the Preferred Alternative)

Accommodates higher design speed of 80km/h
Lowest construction cost
Minor impacts on areas with archaeological potential
Requires smallest amount of additional property
No anticipated impacts on the natural environment

Alternative 2
Realigned to the West
(not preferred)

Highest construction cost and a vertical clearance with Ramp N-E, but can accommodate 80km/h design speed
Significant potential impacts on 3 commercial properties on area designated as High Potential Environmental Concern for Contamination
No anticipated impacts on the natural or cultural environment

Alternative 4
Realigned to the East, Tangent at Structure
(not preferred)

Reasonable construction cost
Lowest design speed
Moderate additional property requirements
Potential impact on 2 residential properties and 1 commercial property
Minor impact on areas with archaeological potential
No anticipated impact on the natural environment

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Evaluation of Alternatives

Alternative 1
Separate Structures
(the Preferred Alternative)

Lower construction cost
Minor impacts to natural and cultural environments associated with infill required between crossing structures
Impacts may be negligible

Separate Structures

Alternative 2
One Structure Spanning
Highway 403 and CNR
(not preferred)

Larger construction cost

One Structure Spanning Highway 403 and CNR

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Evaluation of Alternatives

Alternative 1
Separate Structures
(the Preferred Alternative)

More complex construction staging to maintain traffic and watercourse flow
Can be constructed on the existing alignment
Construction on the existing alignment will largely avoid any impacts to the natural, socio-economic and cultural environments

Separate Structures

Alternative 2
One Structure Spanning Creek and Road
(not preferred)

Less complex staging requirements
Requires construction of new crossing location and realignment of Hidden Valley Road
Required realignment will impact treed area
Realignment requires small amount of additional property
May impact area with archaeological potential

One Structure Spanning Creek and Road

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Evaluation of Alternatives

Alternative 1
Directional Ramps (not preferred)

Equally preferred in natural environment, socio-economic environment, and cultural environment evaluation factor
Lower ramp speed / smaller radius

Directional Ramps

Alternative 2
Directional Ramps
(the Preferred Alternative)

Equally preferred in natural environment, socio-economic environment, and cultural environment evaluation factor
Can facilitate higher ramp design speed compared to Alternative 1

Directional Ramps

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Freedom of Information & Protection of Privacy Act

Thank you for participating in PIC #2!

The following environmental studies have been conducted to identify potential environmental and community impacts as well as mitigation measures associated with the proposed highway improvements:

The findings from these studies will be documented in the TESR.

Environmental Protection and Mitigation Measures

The Recommended Plan for improvements to the Highway 6 and Highway 403 corridors includes:

Highway 6 Plan

Highway 403 - East

Highway 403 - West

Hidden Valley Road & Grindstone Creek

Bruce Trail to York Road

York Road Interchange

Highway 403 and Highway 6 Interchange

Snake Road Overpass Replace on Existing Alignment

Old Guelph Road Overpass Replace on Existing Alignment

Evaluation of Alternatives

Alternative 1 Future Existing Configuration (West Ramp Terminal Intersection) (not preferred)

Alternative 4 Future Existing Condition & East Ramp Terminal Intersection Improvements (the Preferred Alternative)

Alternative 7 Single Point Urban Interchange (SPUI) (not preferred)

Alternative 2 CNR to East, CPR to West of Existing Alignments (the Preferred Alternative)

Alternative 5 CNR Staged on Existing Alignment CPR to West of Existing Alignment (not preferred)

Alternative 7 CNR Staged on Existing Alignment, CPR on Existing Alignment with Temporary Bridge (not preferred)

Evaluation of Alternatives

Alternative 1 Realign to the East, Curved Structure (the Preferred Alternative)

Alternative 2 Realigned to the West (not preferred)

Alternative 4 Realigned to the East, Tangent at Structure (not preferred)

Evaluation of Alternatives

Alternative 1 Separate Structures (the Preferred Alternative)

Alternative 2 One Structure Spanning Highway 403 and CNR (not preferred)

Evaluation of Alternatives

Alternative 1 Separate Structures (the Preferred Alternative)

Alternative 2 One Structure Spanning Creek and Road (not preferred)

Evaluation of Alternatives

Alternative 1 Directional Ramps (not preferred)

Alternative 2 Directional Ramps (the Preferred Alternative)

Thank you for participating
in PIC #2!

Snake Road Overpass
Replace on Existing Alignment

Old Guelph Road Overpass
Replace on Existing Alignment

Alternative 1
Future Existing Configuration
(West Ramp Terminal Intersection)
(not preferred)

Alternative 4
Future Existing Condition & East Ramp
Terminal Intersection Improvements
(the Preferred Alternative)

Alternative 7
Single Point Urban Interchange (SPUI)
(not preferred)

Alternative 2
CNR to East, CPR to West of Existing Alignments
(the Preferred Alternative)

Alternative 5
CNR Staged on Existing Alignment
CPR to West of Existing Alignment
(not preferred)

Alternative 7
CNR Staged on Existing Alignment,
CPR on Existing Alignment with Temporary Bridge
(not preferred)

Alternative 1
Realign to the East,
Curved Structure
(the Preferred Alternative)

Alternative 2
Realigned to the West
(not preferred)

Alternative 4
Realigned to the East, Tangent at Structure
(not preferred)

Alternative 1
Separate Structures
(the Preferred Alternative)

Alternative 2
One Structure Spanning
Highway 403 and CNR
(not preferred)

Alternative 1
Separate Structures
(the Preferred Alternative)

Alternative 2
One Structure Spanning Creek and Road
(not preferred)

Alternative 1
Directional Ramps (not preferred)

Alternative 2
Directional Ramps
(the Preferred Alternative)