Project Overview
The Ontario Ministry of Transportation (MTO) has retained Parsons Inc. (Parsons) to undertake the Preliminary Design, Detail Design and Class Environmental Assessment (EA) Study (the Project) for intersection improvements on Highway 21 (also known as Bluewater Highway) and County Road 83. The Study Area is located at and around the Highway 21 and County Road 83 intersection, within the Municipality of Bluewater, Municipality of South Huron, and County of Huron.
Improvements to the existing intersection are required to optimize the existing transportation infrastructure and meet safety and operational needs. As part of the EA process, the Project Team will generate and assess design alternatives for the intersection improvements, which may include, but not be limited to, a signalized intersection or a roundabout.
This Project is following the approved planning process for a Group ‘C’ project under the MTO Class Environmental Assessment (Class EA) for Provincial Transportation Facilities and Municipal Expressways (2024). Consultation will be ongoing throughout the project.
This Project will involve the following:
- Review and confirm the existing conditions, including transportation infrastructure, land uses, and environmental features.
- Generate and evaluate Alternative Methods (Plans and Designs) for the intersection improvements, which may include, but not be limited to, a signalized intersection or a roundabout.
- Select the Preferred Alternative Method.
- Assess potential environmental impacts, identify proposed mitigation measures and commitments to future work.
- Complete Detail Design.
A Transportation Environmental Study Report (TESR) will be completed to document the EA process, consultation undertaken, existing conditions, assessment and evaluation of alternatives, a description of the Recommended Plan, environmental impacts, mitigation measures and commitments to future work. The TESR will be made available for a 30-day comment period.