Introduction

Highway 7/12 currently travels through Downtown Brooklin in the Town of Whitby. The Town has initiated a Provincial Class Environmental Assessment (EA) Study to determine an alternative route(s) for the provincial traffic through the Brooklin area. The Study will evaluate alternative corridors and recommend a preferred plan to address both the local and provincial traffic needs of the Study Area. For this undertaking, the Town is the Proponent responsible for the planning, design and implementation of future improvements as defined by the Environmental Assessment Act.

Why is This Study Being Done?

The Brooklin area is planned to undergo significant growth as a result of future development and community expansion, with the initial phase of development beginning within the next 2-3 years. Existing Highway 7/12 currently travels through Downtown Brooklin (Baldwin Street) as a 2-lane urban highway.

The Town’s Official Plan and the Brooklin Transportation Master Plan Study identify the need to establish an alternative route for provincial truck, goods and people movement to avoid through traffic on Baldwin Street in downtown Brooklin and the urban area. Land use planning and developments along Baldwin Street are restricted by MTO’s corridor management policies on Highways 7 and 12.

Study Process

In recognition of Ministry of Transportation’s (MTO) ownership and control of existing Highways 7 and 12 and future alternative route(s), the Study is being conducted as a Group A EA Study under the MTO Class Environmental Assessment for Provincial Transportation Facilities (2000). The MTO Class Document permits the Town to act as the Proponent. The Study will complete all phases of the MTO Class EA Process by establishing the need and justification for the project, evaluating route alternatives and selecting a preferred plan with consideration of effects on the natural, social and cultural environments.

Public Consultation

A draft Study Design Report is available on the Town’s website at: whitby.ca/ en/townhall/highway-7-12-alternative-route-environmental-assessment. asp. The draft Study Design Report describes the study background, approach, process, alternatives and public consultation program.

Opportunities will be available throughout the Class EA process for interested persons to provide comments. The project website, noted above, will be used to provide public access to event data and project documentation. Early identification of individual and group concerns greatly aids in addressing these concerns. All information will be collected in accordance with the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (2009). With the exception of personal information, all comments will become part of the public record. Persons will be advised of future communication opportunities by electronic notice in addition to newspaper public notices and notices on the project website.

Project Contacts

For more information, or if you wish to be placed on the study’s mailing list, please contact either:

Steve Taylor, P.Eng. | EA Project Manager | BT Engineering Inc.
9040 Leslie Street, Unit 218, Richmond Hill, ON L4B 3M4 T: 905.709.4554 | E: steve.taylor@bteng.ca

Paul Bumstead, B.E.S. | Project Manager | Town of Whitby
3050 Garden Street, Suite 102, Whitby, ON L1R 2G6 T: 905.430.5594 | E: bumsteadp@whitby.ca
This notice was first issued on April 23, 2020.