Background

The Ministry of Transportation (MTO) retained the services of Egis (formerly McIntosh Perry Consulting Engineers Ltd) and LEA Consulting Ltd. Joint Venture (Egis-LEA Joint Venture) to carry out the Preliminary Design and Class Environmental Assessment (Class EA) for Highway 401 from 500m west of Cranberry Road to 450m east of County Road 28, including the Cranberry Road bridge, Choate Road bridge, Ganaraska River bridge, Hamilton Road bridge and County Road 28 (Ontario Street) Interchange in Port Hope. The initial study was divided into two separate studies.

STUDY #1 GWP 4005-17-00 included structural needs of 3 bridges (Cranberry Road Bridge, Choate Road Bridge and Ganaraska River Bridge) and establishing the eight (8) and ten (10) lane future footprint of Highway 401 from 500m west of Cranberry Road to 450m east of County Road 28 (Ontario Street). Preliminary Design was completed and environmental clearance was issued in 2022.

STUDY #2 GWP 4010-21-00 includes future operational long-term needs at the County Road 28 (Ontario Street) interchange, and structural needs of 2 bridges (County Road 28 Bridge and Hamilton Road Bridge).

View the map of the study area

The Process

The Preliminary Design is following the approved planning process for a Group ‘B’ project under the Class Environmental Assessment (EA) for Provincial Transportation Facilities (2000).

The Preliminary Design for Study #2 has been completed and a Transportation Environmental Study Report (TESR) has been prepared and made available for public comment. The TESR documents the existing conditions, transportation opportunities, consultation undertaken, evaluation of alternatives, the recommended plan, and a summary of environmental issues, potential mitigation measures and commitments to future work.

The purpose of this Notice is to inform the public that the TESR for Study #2 has been prepared and will be available from November 3, 2025 to December 2, 2025 for a 30-day public comment period on the project website (www.Hwy401PortHopeEA.com).

Comments

All comments received during this period will be reviewed by the project team following the conclusion of the comment period, and if requested a response will be provided. Comments will be received through the website or can be submitted to the contacts below.
Interested persons may provide written comments to the Consultant Project Manager or MTO Project Manager listed below:

Mr. Jason Sharp, P.Eng.
Project Manager Egis
516 O’Connor Drive, Unit 200 Kingston, ON K7P 1N3
Tel: 343-344-2668
Email

Mr. Chris Teepell
MTO Senior Project Manager
Ministry of Transportation – Project Delivery East 1355 John Counter Boulevard, Postal Bag 4000 Kingston, ON K7L 5A3
Tel: 613-583-3109
Email

In addition, a request may be made to the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks for an order requiring a higher level of study (i.e. requiring an individual/ comprehensive EA approval before being able to proceed), or that conditions be imposed (i.e require further studies), only on the grounds that the requested order may prevent, mitigate or remedy adverse impacts on constitutionally protected Aboriginal and treaty rights. Requests on other grounds will not be considered. Requests should include the requester’s contact information and full name for the ministry.

Requests should specify what kind of order is being requested (request for additional conditions or a request for an individual/comprehensive environmental assessment), how an order may prevent, mitigate or remedy those potential adverse impacts, and any information in support of the statements in the request. This will ensure that the ministry is able to efficiently begin reviewing the request.

The request should be sent in writing or by email to:

Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks
Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks
777 Bay Street, 5th Floor Toronto, ON M5A 2J3
Email

Director, Environmental Assessment Branch
Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks
135 St. Clair Avenue West, 1st Floor Toronto, ON M4V 1P5
Email

Requests should also be sent to the Consultant Project Manager and MTO Project Manager by mail or email.

Comments are being collected to assist MTO in meeting the requirements of the Ontario Environmental Assessment Act. All information/comments received will be maintained on file for use during the study and may be included in the study documentation. Except for personal information, all comments will become part of the public record in accordance with the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. If you have accessibility requirements to participate in this project, please contact one of the project team members listed above.