Study Background & Process
Terms of Reference for the Niagara to GTA Corridor EA
The Niagara to GTA Corridor Environmental Assessment is being undertaken in accordance with the Ontario Environmental Assessment Act, the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act, and the Niagara to GTA Corridor Environmental Assessment Terms of Reference (October 2005, As Amended February 16, 2006).
The Terms of Reference outlines the minimum considerations and framework that will be followed in completing this planning and environmental assessment study. The Terms of Reference document was submitted to the Ontario Ministry of the Environment for review and approval in October 2005. The Ontario Minister of the Environment approved the Terms of Reference on June 9th, 2006.
Niagara to GTA Corridor Planning and Environmental
Assessment (EA) Study - Phase 1
The MTO has initiated Phase 1 of the Niagara to GTA Corridor Planning and Environmental Assessment Study. This study is being carried out within the context of the Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe released by the Ontario Ministry of Public Infrastructure Renewal on June 16, 2006. The MTO is working to provide for the efficient movement of people and goods to meet the transportation objectives of the province’s Growth Plan.
The purpose of this study is to address existing and future anticipated transportation capacity deficiencies (problems and opportunities) within the Niagara to GTA corridor by providing additional capacity for a 30 year planning horizon and beyond.
As outlined in the EA Terms of Reference, a two-phased approach will be utilized to conduct this study. Phase 1 of this study includes the following key steps:
1. Develop a Study Plan
2. Identify transportation problems and opportunities and verify the need for transportation improvements
3. Identify and assess transportation planning alternatives (i.e. fundamentally different ways of addressing the problems and opportunities)
4. Select preferred transportation planning alternative(s) and recommend a Transportation Development Strategy
5. Make recommendations for future work in the Niagara to GTA corridor.
EA Process Phase 1
Click on the image for a larger view
Should Phase 1 of this study identify transportation planning alternative(s) that fall within the jurisdiction of MTO, additional study to examine alternative methods would be undertaken in Phase 2 of this study. Additional details regarding the two-phased study process are documented in the Niagara to GTA Corridor EA Terms of Reference.
EA Process Phase 2:
Refer to the Niagara to GTA Corridor EA Terms of Reference for additional details on the Phase 2 study process.
