Class Environmental Assessment (EA) Process

What is a Class Environmental Assessment?

The project is being completed in accordance with Class Environmental Assessment for Provincial Transportation Facilities and Municipal Expressways (2024). The Class EA process provides a decision-making framework that ensures engineering, environmental, social, cultural, economic, and technical considerations are evaluated during the planning and design of provincial transportation projects.

This study is being under as Group B project under the Class EA process. Group B Class EA’s apply to similar groups (“classes”) of projects that are carried out frequently and have predictable environmental effects that can be readily managed.

Class EA Process

The major steps in the Class EA process are illustrated below.

1. 1Study Commencement
2. 2Environmental & Technical Studies
3. 3Preliminary Design Development
4. 4Assessment of Environmental Effects
5. 5Mitigation Measures
6. 6TESR Preparation
7. 7TESR Public Review
8. 8Study Completion

Consultation and Engagement Throughout the Process

The Class EA process is a planning and decision-making framework that ensures environmental, social, cultural, economic, and technical factors are considered, with opportunities for public input at key stages throughout the study.

Opportunities for Consultation

Consultation is an important component of the study. MTO will consult with Indigenous communities, municipalities, government agencies, interested organizations, property owners, businesses, and members of the public throughout the study.