Kanata Light Rail Transit Planning and Environmental Assessment Study

The Project

The City of Ottawa has completed an Environmental Project Report (EPR) for a light rail transit (LRT) facility to Kanata extending from the Stage 2 LRT terminus at Moodie Drive to a new terminus at Hazeldean Road, in accordance with Ontario Regulation 231/08. The route travels along the north side of Highway 417, crossing over Highway 417 at Huntmar Drive, and continuing south adjacent to the future North-South Arterial to Hazeldean Station. The project proposes a fully segregated LRT facility, 8 new transit stations, new Park and Ride facilities at Hazeldean and Palladium Stations, and an expansion of the approved Moodie Light Maintenance and Storage Facility. New pedestrian and cycling facilities along the length of the corridor are also included in the project.

The Process

The environmental impact of this transit project was assessed and documented in an Environmental Project Report (EPR) prepared according to the Transit Project Assessment Process as prescribed in Ontario Regulation 231/08, Transit Projects and Greater Toronto Transportation Authority Undertakings. The EPR documents the entire study process, including a description of the planned project, its anticipated environmental impacts, and the project’s consultation program.

The Final EPR for the Kanata Light Rail Transit Planning and Environmental Assessment Study is now available for a 30-day public review period starting November 23, 2018. Please note that the Draft EPR has been available for public review during the Notice of Commencement phase, which began on August 31, 2018. The Final EPR is available at the locations noted below during their regular business hours.

Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks
Environmental Approvals and Permissions Branch
135 St. Clair Avenue West, 1st Floor
Toronto ON M4V1P5
Ottawa District Office
2430 Don Reid Drive
Ottawa ON K1H 1E1

City of Ottawa
City Hall Client Service Centre
110 Laurier Avenue West
Ottawa ON K1P 1J1

Beaverbrook Public Library (Kanata)
2500 Campeau Drive
Ottawa ON K2K 2W3

Main Public Library
120 Metcalfe Street
Ottawa ON K1P 5M2

A digital version of the Final EPR and other project information is available here, in whole or in part.

Interested persons are encouraged to review this document and provide comments by December 24, 2018 to the project contact listed below. For further information on the proposed transit project or if you have any accessibility requirements in order to participate in this project, please contact the Project Manager, Angela Taylor, at the following coordinates:

Angela Taylor, P.Eng.
Senior Project Engineer
Transportation Planning - City of Ottawa
110 Laurier Avenue West,
4th Floor
Ottawa ON K1P 1J1
Tel: 613-580-2424 ext. 15210
E-mail: Angela.Taylor@ottawa.ca

There are circumstances where the Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks has the authority to require further consideration of the transit project, or impose conditions on it. The Minister may require further consideration or impose conditions if the Minister is of the opinion that:

• the transit project may have a negative impact on a matter of provincial importance that relates to the natural environment or has cultural heritage value or interest; or,
• the transit project may have a negative impact on a constitutionally protected Aboriginal or treaty right.

Before exercising the authority referred to above, the Minister is required to consider any written objections to the transit project that the Minister may receive within 30 days after the Notice of Completion of the Environmental Project Report is first published. If you have discussed your issues with the proponent and you object to the project, you can provide a written submission to the Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks no later than December 24, 2018 to the address provided below. All submissions must clearly indicate that an objection is being submitted and describe any negative impacts to matters of provincial importance (natural/cultural environment) or Aboriginal rights.

Attn: Dorothy Moszynski, Project Officer
Environmental Approvals and Permissions Branch, Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks
135 St. Clair Avenue West, 1st Floor
Toronto ON
M4V 1P5
General Inquiry: 416-314-8001
Toll Free: 800-461-6290
Fax: 416-314-8452
E-mail: dorothy.moszynski@ontario.ca

If not otherwise provided, a copy of the objection will be forwarded to the proponent by the ministry.

The Kanata Light Rail Transit (LRT) Planning and Environmental Assessment Study Recommendations will be presented at Transportation Committee on Wednesday, May 2, 2018 at 9:30 a.m. for approval. Presentation to City Council will follow on May 9, 2018. The report will be available for viewing and downloading on Wednesday April 25, 2018.

The City of Ottawa has initiated this Planning and Environmental Assessment (EA) study to develop a Recommended Plan to extend Light Rail Transit (LRT) from Moodie Drive to Kanata.

Study Area

Rationale for the Study

This Planning and EA Study will define a corridor for the future expansion of the City’s LRT network to Kanata. Extending LRT to Kanata is identified in the Ultimate Network in the City's 2013 Transportation Master Plan (TMP). This study will update the work done in the TMP, examining potential corridors along Highway 417, and to the north and south of the highway beyond the study area map shown above. The study outcome will be a Recommended Plan that identifies the LRT corridor, station locations, and supporting facilities, and determines a project staging and implementation strategy based on ridership and affordability. While this project is not currently part of the City’s Affordable Rapid Transit Network, the City needs to identify the LRT corridor and functional design to establish future right-of-way requirements, protect the corridor, and inform the ongoing planning and development of adjacent lands.

Study Process

The Environmental Assessment portion of the study will be undertaken in accordance with the Transit Project Assessment Process (TPAP) as prescribed in Ontario Regulation 231/08, Transit Projects. The City must consider alternative corridors and designs for the project, undertake public and agency consultation, assess the potential environmental effects of the Recommended Plan and identify measures to mitigate any such impacts.

The study will also address potential implications of federal and National Capital Commission (NCC) properties and the need for federal approvals to implement the project.

As part of the study process, an Environmental Project Report (EPR) will be prepared for public review following the Notice of Commencement being issued.

Study Timeline

The study process will include a consultation program involving many stakeholders, including the City of Ottawa, the National Capital Commission, other approval and regulatory agencies, local community associations, businesses and institutions, special advisory and interest groups, and members of the public. The Study is expected to be completed by December 2018.

Get involved!

You are encouraged to participate in the study by attending consultation events or by directly contacting the Study Team with information, comments or questions. Updated project information will be posted periodically on the study website.

The study will also have the benefit of input from Agency, Business and Public Consultation Groups that will meet at key points during the study.

Open House meetings will be scheduled throughout the Study to provide an opportunity for interested persons to learn about the study and offer input. Notifications for the Open House will be provided through local newspapers, emails to the study mailing list and postings on the website.

To have your name placed on the study mailing list or to submit comments or questions, please contact:

Angela Taylor, P.Eng.
Senior Project Engineer 
Transportation Planning
Planning, Real Estate and Economic Development
City of Ottawa 
Email: Angela.Taylor@ottawa.ca
613-580-2424 x 15210

Monday, June 5, 2017
Kanata Recreation Complex, Hall A
100 Charlie Rogers Place, K2V 1A2
5:30 to 8:30 pm (presentation at 6:30 pm)
OC Transpo routes: 61, 62, 88, 167
Parking is available

The City of Ottawa has initiated this Planning and Environmental Assessment (EA) study to develop a Recommended Plan to extend Light Rail Transit (LRT) from Moodie Drive to Kanata. This Planning and EA Study will define a corridor for the future expansion of the City’s LRT network to Kanata. Extending LRT to Kanata is identified in the Ultimate Network in the City's 2013 Transportation Master Plan (TMP).

The study will examine LRT corridor options for a broader area to the north and south of Highway 417. The outcome will be a Recommended Plan that identifies the LRT corridor, station locations, and supporting facilities, and determines an implementation strategy based on ridership and affordability.

Open House Display Boards [ PDF 3.143 MB ]

The EA portion of the study will be undertaken in accordance with the Transit Project Assessment Process (TPAP) as prescribed in Ontario Regulation 231/08, Transit Projects. The City must consider alternative corridors and designs for the project, undertake public and agency consultation, assess the potential environmental effects of the Recommended Plan and identify measures to mitigate any such impacts.

Information on the Kanata LRT Planning and EA Study is available at ottawa.ca/KanataLRT or Ottawa.ca/kanatatlr. Comments received will be collected under TPAP, and with the exception of personal information, will become part of the public record.

Accessibility is an important consideration for the City of Ottawa. If you require special accommodation, please call or email the project manager below before the event.

For further information or to provide comments, please contact:

Angela Taylor, P.Eng.
Senior Project Engineer
Transportation Planning
Planning, Real Estate and Economic Development
City of Ottawa
Email: Angela.Taylor@ottawa.ca
613-580-2424 x 15210

The Project

The City of Ottawa is planning for a light rail transit (LRT) facility to Kanata extending from the Stage 2 LRT terminus at Moodie Drive to a new terminus at Hazeldean Road to accommodate growth and guide future development around LRT.

The route travels along the north side of Highway 417, crossing over Highway 417 at Huntmar Drive, and continuing south adjacent to the future North-South Arterial to Hazeldean Station. The project proposes a fully segregated LRT facility, eight new transit stations, new Park and Ride facilities at Hazeldean and Palladium Stations, and an expansion of the approved Moodie Light Maintenance and Storage Facility. New pedestrian and cycling facilities along the length of the corridor are also included in the project.

The Process

The environmental impact of this transit project is being assessed according to the Transit Project Assessment Process (TPAP) as prescribed in Ontario Regulation 231/08, Transit Projects. As part of the TPAP, a draft Environmental Project Report (EPR) has been prepared. The draft EPR contains the basis on which this project is being carried out, an analysis of existing environmental conditions, supporting studies, an analysis of impacts the project may have, recommendations on potential mitigation measures, and a record of consultation that has taken place.

A digital version of the draft EPR and supporting technical studies is available for downloading at the following web address: ottawa.ca/KanataLRT. The draft EPR is also available in print at the locations below:

City Hall Client Service Centre
110 Laurier Avenue West
Ottawa, Ontario K1P 1J1

Beaverbrook Public Library (Kanata)
2500 Campeau Drive
Ottawa, Ontario K2K 2W3

A digital copy of the EPR and supporting appendices can be downloaded.

To download the EPR and supporting appendices:

1. Click on the download link
2. Select the ‘Download’ drop down menu in the upper right corner of the view window
3. Select ‘Direct Download’

Consultation

Interested parties are invited to review the project information. Within 120 days of the issuance of this notice, a subsequent Notice of Completion will be issued. A final EPR will be made available for a formal 30-day public review period at that time.  

If you would like to be added to our project mailing list, have project related questions, and/or have any accessibility requirements, please contact:

Angela Taylor, P.Eng.
Senior Project Engineer
Transportation Planning
City of Ottawa
110 Laurier Avenue West, 4th Floor
Ottawa ON K1P 1J1
Tel: 613-580-2424 ext. 15210
Email: Angela.Taylor@Ottawa.ca

Comments received will be collected under the Environmental Assessment Act and, with the exception of personal information, will become part of the public record as per the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (MFIPPA).

All personal information included in a submission – such as name, address, telephone number and property location – is collected, maintained and disclosed by the Ministry of the Environment for the purpose of transparency and consultation. The information is collected under the authority of the Environmental Assessment Act or is collected and maintained for the purpose of creating a record that is available to the general public as described in s. 37 of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. Personal information you submit will become part of a public record that is available to the general public unless you request that your personal information remain confidential. For more information, please contact the Project Officer or the Ministry of the Environment’s Freedom of Information and Privacy Coordinator at 416-314-4075.

Notice first published on August 31, 2018.