Study Background & Process
Background
A needs assessment study completed by the Ministry of Transportation in 2001 concluded that additional transportation capacity would be required through the Niagara Peninsula into the Greater Toronto Area to accommodate future growth in the movement of people and goods. This study included a comprehensive examination of future transportation problems, opportunities, and a range of transportation alternatives including road, transit, rail, marine and other options. Various travel and growth scenarios were considered for a 30-year planning period.
An EA Terms of Reference (ToR) for the Niagara to GTA Transportation Corridor was approved by the Minister of the Environment in June 2006. This approved EA ToR defines the process to be followed during the Individual EA and Planning process, and states a clearly defined purpose: "to address existing and future anticipated transportation capacity deficiencies (transportation problems and opportunities) within the corridor by providing additional capacity for a 30 year planning horizon and beyond". For more information on the ToR, please click here.
In June 2006, the Ministry of Public Infrastructure Renewal released the final Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe, prepared under the direction of the Places to Grow Act (2005). The purpose of this document is to provide "a framework for implementing the Government of Ontario's vision for building stronger, prosperous communities, by better managing growth in this region to 2031" (Source: Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe – June 2006). The Growth Plan provides population and employment projections for each of the municipalities within the Greater Golden Horseshoe for the 2011, 2021 and 2031 planning horizons. In addition, the Growth Plan specifies land use intensity and densification targets for each of the municipalities. Municipal Official Plans must conform to the Growth Plan by June 2009. Specific to this area, the Growth Plan shows a "Future Transportation Corridor" connecting the Niagara Frontier to the Greater Toronto Area. This Corridor is intended to schematically depict the need for additional transportation capacity in this area.
In meeting the challenges as described above, it is important that MTO take a comprehensive and long-term approach in planning for future transportation infrastructure. The study will reflect the government policy objectives as outlined in the Growth Plan. These policy objectives call for a transportation network that links Urban Growth Centres through an integrated system of transportation modes characterized by efficient public transit, a highway system for moving people and goods with improved access to intermodal facilities, international gateways (e.g. border crossings), airports and transit hubs.
In addition, the following provincial, federal, regional and local policy documents will help to establish the policy framework within which transportation problems and opportunities and potential solutions will be identified as part of the study:
- Greenbelt Act and Greenbelt Plan, Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing, February 2005;
- The new Provincial Policy Statement (March 1, 2005);
- Niagara Escarpment Plan, 2005;
- Building a National Tourism Strategy - A Framework for Federal / Provincial Territorial Collaboration, Canadian Tourism Commission, 2004;
- Ontario Tourism Strategy, 2004;
- The Bi-National Strategy for the Niagara Frontier, 2005;
- Ontario Budget, 2007/2008;
- Regional Municipality of Niagara Official Plan;
- City of Hamilton Official Plan; and
- Regional Municipality of Halton Official Plan.
Metrolinx recently released a draft Regional Transportation Plan (RTP) for the Greater Toronto and Hamilton area. MTO is using the 25-year plan from the draft RTP to assist with the development of future travel demand in the Niagara to GTA Corridor. Metrolinx is planning to present the final RTP to the Province in late Fall 2008, following public consultations in late October 2008. MTO will revisit the network assumptions used in the EA study once the RTP is finalized. 
