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The Ontario Ministry of Transportation (MTO) has completed Phase 1 of the Niagara to GTA Corridor Planning and Environmental Assessment Study. This study has been carried out within the context of the Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe (June 2006) released by the Ontario Ministry of Infrastructure. The MTO is working to provide for the efficient movement of people and goods to meet the objectives of the province's Growth Plan.

The purpose of this website is to provide interested parties with access to information on the planning and Environmental Assessment (EA) study.

Over the past number of years, MTO has undertaken a significant amount of technical, forecasting and strategic planning work in the Niagara, Hamilton and Halton areas. This planning work (which has been revisited and updated during this study) has indicated that the existing transportation system does not have the capacity to support the planned population and economic growth of the area from the Niagara Peninsula to the Greater Toronto Area.

In order to proactively plan for future infrastructure needs, MTO commenced the formal Environmental Assessment (EA) process to examine transportation problems and opportunities and consider alternative solutions in the Niagara, Hamilton and Halton areas.

The Niagara to GTA Corridor Environmental Assessment Terms of Reference (October 2005, As Amended February 16, 2006) outlines the minimum considerations and study framework to be followed in completing this environmental assessment. The Ontario Minister of the Environment approved the Terms of Reference on June 9th, 2006.

As outlined in the Terms of Reference, a two-phased approach was utilized to conduct this study. Phase 1 includes the development of a study plan, examining transportation problems and opportunities (need for transportation improvements), identifying and assessing transportation planning alternatives (i.e. alternatives to the undertaking), identifying preferred transportation planning alternative(s), and recommendations for future work in the Niagara to GTA corridor.

Phase 1 of the Niagara to GTA Corridor Planning and EA Study is now complete. The results of this phase are documented in a Transportation Development Strategy that is available on the Reports page. Phase 2 of the study will determine the preferred route for the new highway that connects Highway 406 south of Welland to the QEW near Fort Erie. Phase 2 is not yet scheduled. The start date for Phase 2 will be based on provincial infrastructure priorities and the availability of funding.