Canada Drive - America Avenue Bridge Environmental Assessment
The Proposal
The transportation objectives of the City of Vaughan’s Official Plan Amendment No. 600 (PDF) identify the need to establish a primary road connection over Highway 400 between Major Mackenzie Drive and Teston Road in Block 33 (PDF). This road connection is not only a key component of the area multi-modal transportation system (vehicles, cycling and pedestrians) but also a means of providing the residents in the communities on either side of Highway 400 with better access to community services, shortened travel times and improved emergency response services.
The Study
The study was conducted in accordance with the Schedule C requirements under the Municipal Engineers Association Municipal Class Environmental Assessment (October 2000 and amended in 2007) document. Public and agency consultation is a key component of the EA process. In March 2010, a public information forum was held to present the alternative design concepts developed along with their evaluation results. Representatives from the City of Vaughan and AECOM (the consultants hired for the project) were available at the session to explain the information presented, discuss issues of concern and receive information for consideration in the study. Upon completion of the study, an Environmental Study Report (ESR) documenting the preferred solution and suggested design was prepared for public/agency review and comment.
Connecting Canada Drive and America Avenue over Highway 400
The Class EA study developed and evaluated a range of alternative design concepts for the Canada Drive-America Avenue bridge to address the multi-modal transportation needs within the broader Maple community including:
- Traffic flow and transportation needs
- Community safety (e.g. access of emergency vehicles)
- Health and wellness
- Environmental sustainability
- Excellence in service delivery
- Pedestrian and cycling networks
Supporting project documentation
- Notice of Commencement (PDF)
- Contract Award, Council Report, Feb. 25, 2008 (PDF)
- Contract Terms of Reference (PDF)
- Notice of Study Completion (PDF)
- Environmental Study Report (ESR) (PDF)
Public consultation documentation – Citizen’s Liaison Committee
- Invitation to Join Committee (PDF)
- Facilitator's Discussion Guide (Meeting #1) (PDF)
- Facilitator's Summary Report (Meeting #1) (PDF)
- Presentation Slides (Meeting #1) (PDF)
- Presentation Slides (Meeting #2) (PDF)
- Presentation Slides (Meeting #3) (PDF)
- Meeting Minutes (Meeting #3) (PDF)
Public consultation documentation – Public Information Forums
- Notice (Public Information Forum #1) (PDF)
- Information Display Boards (Public Information Forum #1) (PDF)
- Alternative Solutions Evaluation Matrix (Public Information Forum #1) (PDF)
- Presentation Slides (Public Information Forum #2) (PDF)
- Q and A (Public Information Forum #2) (PDF)
- Information Display Boards (Public Information Session #2) (PDF)
Public consultation documentation – Other