Highway 401 Planning Study Begins in Edwardsburgh Cardinal

This information was provided by the Ontario Ministry of Transportation.

Notice of Study Commencement

Planning Study from 1 km east of Highway 16 to 2.5 km east of Shanly Road Township of Edwardsburgh / Cardinal, United County of Leeds & Grenville Preliminary Design and Class Environmental Assessment Study (GWP 4137-22-00)

Read full document with diagram of study area.

The Study

The Ontario Ministry of Transportation (MTO) has retained HDR Inc. (HDR) to undertake a PreliminaryDesign and Class Environmental Assessment (Class EA) Study focusing on the replacement of Shanly RoadUnderpass, interchange improvements and establishing the footprint of Highway 401 for future six lanes, from 1 km east of Highway 16 to 2.5 km east of Shanly Road for approximately 10.1 km (The Study). The purpose of The Study is to identify a Recommended Plan that addresses current and future needs for the provincial highway network. This Study will include reviewing existing conditions, developing and evaluating alternatives, identifying appropriate improvements, and developing environmental protection/mitigation measures. A Recommended Plan will be confirmed and designated (protected) at the completion of The Study. The Study area falls within the Township of Edwardsburgh/Cardinal, United County of Leeds & & Greenville as shown in the key plan.

The Process

The Study will follow the Class Environmental Assessment for Provincial Transportation Facilities and Municipal Expressways, 2024 (Class EA) process for a Group ‘B’ project.
Engagement with external agencies, Indigenous communities, the public and interest groups will take place
throughout The Study, including two Public Information Centres (PICs). The PICs will provide an opportunity to discuss The Study with the Project Team members.The first PIC is planned for spring/summer 2026 and will provide an opportunity to review the preliminary alternatives and the proposed evaluation criteria. The second PIC is planned for later in the study to present the evaluation of the alternatives and the preferred plan. Notices providing the time and location of the PICs will be published in local newspapers and sent to persons on the project mailing list.

Upon completion of The Study, the preferred plan will be documented in a Transportation Environmental
Study Report (TESR) and made available for public review. The TESR will also describe how the
requirements of the Class EA were met; how the project achieves the overall transportation benefit while
minimizing environmental impacts; engagement with individuals, external agencies, and Indigenous
communities; and commitments for further engagement and environmental protection. A Notice of
Completion will be issued, at which point there will be a 30-day comment period allowing for an opportunity
to provide comments on the TESR.

Comments

Please visit us at www.Highway401-Cardinal.ca for further project information. If you wish to obtain
additional information, provide comments, or would like to be added to the study’s mailing list, you can do so
through the website or by contacting the project team members listed below.

If you have any accessibility requirements in order to participate in this project, please contact one of the
Team members listed above. Comments and information will be collected to assist MTO in meeting the
requirements of the Ontario Environmental Assessment Act. Information will be collected in accordance with
the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act, R.S.O., 1990, c.F.31. All comments will be
maintained on file for use during the study and, with the exception of personal information, may be included
in study documentation and become part of the public record.