1. Where can I review a hardcopy of the Environmental Assessment Report?

The report is available for review on the Fact Sheets and Reports page of this website.

2. Where can I find the details of the Recommended Alternative?

The Recommended Alternative is described in Section 6.2 and shown in Exhibit 6-3 of the Environmental Assessment Report. Click here to view a PDF copy of Section 6.2 including Exhibit 6-3 (exhibit starts on page 2 of the PDF). Further details of the Recommended Alternative will be developed during the Detail Design stage of this project.

3. What happens after the EA Report review period ends on March 19, 2010?

Following the end of the Environmental Assessment (EA) Report public and agency comment period, the Ministry of the Environment will produce a Review of the EA outlining any issues raised during the public/agency comment period and evaluating if the EA meets the requirements of the Environmental Assessment Act. A further five-week comment period is provided once the Review is released. After that five week comment period, Ministry of the Environment staff review all the additional comments received and then the Minister of the Environment makes a decision on approval, with or without conditions. These final two steps customarily take about three to four months. If the EA Report is approved by the Minister, the project can proceed to Detail Design and construction.

4. When will construction start?

The first step in the ultimate construction of this project is to obtain approval under the Ontario Environmental Assessment Act.

If the EA Report is approved by the Minister of the Environment, the project may proceed to Detail Design and construction. Details regarding the construction schedule will be provided during Detail Design. Currently this project is not listed as part of the Southern Highways Program which is MTO's five-year investment plan in highway construction for Southern Ontario. The Southern Highway Program for 2008-2012 can be viewed online at: http://www.mto.gov.on.ca/english/pubs/highway-construction/.

5. Is the Ministry of Transportation considering extending Highway 427 north of Major Mackenzie Drive?

The proposed extension of Highway 427 ends at Major Mackenzie Drive. A further extension of Highway 427 is not part of the vision presented in the Province’s Growth Plan for the Greater Horseshoe and is not being contemplated at this time. Additional information regarding the Growth Plan for the Greater Horseshoe is available on the Legislation page of this website.

6. What other construction work does the Ministry of Transportation have planned for Highway 427?

The Ministry of Transportation’s Southern Highways Program outlines the Ministry’s current investment plans for highway construction works in Southern Ontario including Highway 427. The Southern Highways Program for 2008-2012 can be viewed online at: http://www.mto.gov.on.ca/english/pubs/highway-construction/.