Highway 401 Improvements
From 1 km East of Highway 16 to 2.5 km East of Shanly Road Preliminary Design Study and Class Environmental Assessment

Class Environmental Assessment Process

The study will follow the Class Environmental Assessment (EA) for Provincial Transportation Facilities process for a Group ‘B’ project.

Engagement with external agencies, Indigenous communities, the public and interest groups will take place throughout the study, including two Public Information Centres (PICs). The PICs will provide an opportunity to discuss the study with the Project Team members. The first PIC is planned for spring/summer 2026 and will provide an opportunity to review the preliminary alternatives and the proposed evaluation criteria. The second PIC is planned for later in the study to present the evaluation of the alternatives and the preferred plan. Notices providing the time and location of the PICs will be published in local newspapers and sent to persons on the project mailing list.

Upon completion of the study, the preferred plan will be documented in a Transportation Environmental Study Report (TESR) and made available for public review.  The TESR will also describe how the requirements of the Class EA were met; how the project achieves the overall transportation benefit while minimizing environmental impacts; engagement with individuals, external agencies, and Indigenous communities; and commitments for further engagement and environmental protection.  A Notice of Completion will be issued, at which point there will be a 30-day comment period allowing for an opportunity to provide comments on the TESR. 

A summary of the key activities and consultation process is shown below.