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CANADIAN INDUSTRY ONLINE - FEBRUARY/MARCH 2014
tion went into the identification of the
Parkway as the recommended plan
for the access road to the new border
crossing through over 300 consultation
events.
During the design and construc-
tion period of the Parkway, the com-
munity continued to have oppor-
tunities to provide public input.
To date, more than 25 public
meetings have been held with the
local community to provide in-
formation on construction phas-
es, and to gather input through
the Design and Construction Re-
port process.
During the EA process
a number of commitments to
mitigate potential effects of the
Parkway were made. Design and
Construction Reports (DCRs)
have been developed to show
how these commitments are be-
ing incorporated into the Park-
way and how input received
through public consultation are
being incorporated.
To date, 6 DCRs have been
prepared. DCRs are made available for
a 30-day review period prior to con-
struction of the work outlined in each
report. Comments received are consid-
ered and incorporated into the design
if appropriate. The DCRs are posted
for public review at
ca and at various public offices in the
community.
Most highway projects require
one DCR. The Parkway is unique.
To meet the aggressive construction
schedule, the Parkway project was
divided into components so parts of
the project can proceed to construction
while other parts are still being de-
signed.
Keeping the community informed
and engaged on this project is critical
to us.
What are the environmental con-
siderations and implications of the
Parkway?
MTO:
The Rt. Hon. Herb Gray
Parkway is located in one of the last
remaining Tallgrass Prairie ecosystems
in the world. The area has a great deal
of environmental significance and con-
tains many of the last remaining plants
and species unique to this ecosystem.
Protecting this area was not only nec-
essary based on requirements under
the Ontario Endangered Species Act
(2007),
but also provided an opportu-
nity for Ontario to protect hundreds of
thousands of plants for the long-
term through the Landscape
Plan.
The DRIC study conducted
several studies and committed
to providing the following im-
provements to the current wild-
life and vegetation conditions
through the route:
Wildlife and Wildlife Habitat
•
Habitat restoration and en-
hancement will be implemented
to create new and higher quality
habitat for endangered species.
•
Permanent protection will be
provided for the critical habitat
of a local population of the en-
dangered Butler’s Gartersnake.
•
Enhancement and restora-
tion of habitat located along the
Parkway will result in a net gain in
the quantity and quality of natural
habitat and will re-establish connec
The Rt. Hon. Herb Gray Parkway is located in one of the last remaining Tallgrass Prairie ecosystems in the world.
HERB GRAY PARKWAY
