The Ontario government is resuming the Environmental Assessment (EA) for the Greater Toronto Area West corridor to improve Ontario’s highway network, reduce travel times, and help alleviate traffic congestion across the GTA.
Minister of Transportation Jeff Yurek announced that the government is resuming the EA at the point it left off in 2015. This comes after a motion was passed in the legislature on June 4, 2019 calling on the government to immediately resume the EA.
“Resuming the EA for the GTA West Corridor will ensure we can build more transportation infrastructure in the future that meets the needs of the people as our economy grows,” said Yurek
A Public Information Centre this fall will give the public an opportunity to review and comment on the preferred route.
“As our region continues to grow this study will ensure our highways are working for businesses, commuters and families across the Greater Golden Horseshoe,” said Amarjot Sandhu, MPP for Brampton West. “While being in touch with commuters and people in trucking industry in Brampton West, I shared their concerns with Minister Jeff Yurek, who was very kind and assured the ministry would help as much as it can to resolve the issue, which was long overdue to improve the region’s transportation network, reduce travel times, and help alleviate traffic congestion in Brampton and across the GTA.”
The EA is anticipated to be completed by the end of 2022.
With the resumption of the GTA West EA, the Ministry of Transportation and the Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO) will no longer proceed with the Northwest GTA Corridor Identification Study.
In addition, the Ministry of Energy, Northern Development and Mines and the IESO have initiated a new study to identify an adjacent electricity transmission corridor to support growing demand for electricity in the western GTA.