Earl Armstrong Road Extension Environmental Assessment

The Earl Armstrong Road Extension Environmental Assessment Study Recommendations were presented at Transportation Committee on Wednesday, June 5, 2019 for approval. Presentation to City Council followed on June 12, 2019. The report was approved and is available from Service Ottawa.

The City of Ottawa has initiated the Earl Armstrong Road Extension Environmental Assessment (EA) Study to establish the future right-of-way requirements and protect the corridor from encroaching development.  The findings of the study will also inform and guide the ongoing planning and development of adjacent lands. The EA study area is illustrated below.

Study Background

The City’s 2013 Transportation Master Plan (TMP) identifies the need for the extension of Earl Armstrong Road from Albion Road to Hawthorne Road in the Network Concept Plan. The timing for the road extension is planned for beyond year 2031. Earl Armstrong Road will need to meet the long-term east-west travel demand through this south-eastern sector of the City’s urban area. It will be important to verify the growth and development assumptions and demand forecasts for this sector, undertake field studies as necessary to document baseline conditions, and establish the recommended corridor. The study will have regard for the City’s policy on Multi Modal Level of Service (MMLOS) and will embrace the concept of Complete Streets. The Study will also recognize the effect that the Trillium Line LRT investment will have on transportation in this southern sector of the City.

Study Process

The study is being conducted in accordance with Ontario's EA Act, fulfilling requirements as a Municipal Class EA process for a Schedule C project. The City must evaluate alternative solutions, 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 EA will result in a cost effective, context-sensitive, complete street functional design that accommodates all travel modes (walking, cycling, transit, autos and trucks), as appropriate; that is compatible with surrounding land uses and minimizes impacts on the surrounding environmental (social, natural/physical, and economic) conditions. The Plan will also recognize the area’s natural heritage and aggregate resources.

As part of the study process, an Environmental Study Report (ESR) will be prepared to document all activities and findings during the planning and design process, and to present the Recommended Plan. Once complete, the ESR will be placed on the public record and be available for review by the public and review agencies for a period of at least 30 calendar days. Following the public review period, the project will be considered to have met the requirements of the Municipal Class EA Process.

Study Timeline

The EA process requires a comprehensive consultation program involving many stakeholders, including Indigenous people, regulatory agencies, conservation authorities, local community associations, property owners and business owners, special advisory and interest groups and members of the public. The study is expected to be completed in summer 2019.

For more information:

If you have any questions or wish to be kept informed of the study please do not hesitate to contact the City of Ottawa Project Manager at the coordinates below.

Katarina Cvetkovic, P.Eng,
Senior Project Manager
Transportation Environmental Assessments Branch
Planning, Real Estate and Economic Development Department
City of Ottawa
110 Laurier Avenue West, 4th Floor, Ottawa ON K1P 1J1
Tel: 613-580-2424 ext. 22842
Email: Katarina.Cvetkovic@ottawa.ca

The City of Ottawa has completed the Municipal Class Environmental Assessment (EA) Study for Earl Armstrong Road Extension from Albion Road to Hawthorne Road. This Study was carried out in accordance with the requirements for a Schedule ‘C’ project under the Municipal Class Environmental Assessment document (October 2000, as amended 2007, 2011 and 2015).

The Transportation Master Plan identifies the extension of Earl Armstrong Road between Albion and Hawthorne roads in the Network Concept to support the planned growth of adjacent communities. Although timing for the road extension is beyond 2031, development in the area is encroaching on the City’s ultimate plan, and an environmental assessment study was required to identify and protect the right-of-way requirements and inform the planning and development of surrounding lands. The protected right-of-way can ultimately accommodate four travel lanes, include transit priority measures and provide dedicated pedestrian and cycling facilities. When constructed, the Earl Armstrong Road extension will be a continuous and efficient arterial road that will offer mobility choices and reinforce the area transportation network.

An Environmental Study Report (ESR) has been completed to document the planning and design process and the Recommended Plan for the extension of Earl Armstrong Road. The Environmental Study Report (ESR) is available for public review online and at the following locations during regular business hours for a period of 30 calendar days, starting on November 8, 2019: ​​

City of Ottawa
City Hall Information Desk
110 Laurier Avenue West

Ottawa Public Library
Lorry Greenberg Branch
363 Lorry Greenberg Drive

Ministry of the Environment,
Conservation and Parks
2430 Don Reid Drive Suite 103

Ottawa Public Library
Main Branch120 Metcalfe Street

Carleton University
MacOdrum Library
1125 Colonel By Drive

During the public review period, interested persons are encouraged to read the ESR and provide written comments to:

Katarina Cvetkovic, P. Eng.
Senior Project Manager, Transportation Environmental Assessments
Transportation Planning
Planning, Real Estate and Economic Development Department
City of Ottawa
Email: katarina.cvetkovic@ottawa.ca
Phone: 613-580-2424, extension 22842

If concerns regarding this project cannot be resolved in discussion with the City, a person/party may request that the Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks make an order to change the project status and require a higher level of assessment under an individual Environmental Assessment process (referred to as a Part II Order). A Part II Order request form is available online on the Forms Repository Website by searching “Part II Order”. The filled-out form must be received by the Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks and by the Director of Environmental Assessment and Permissions Branch during the 30-day review period at both addresses listed below. Reasons must be provided for the request. A copy of the request form should also be forwarded to the City of Ottawa to the address above. If there are no requests received by December 8, 2019, the project will be considered to have met the requirements of the Municipal Class EA, and the project may proceed to design and construction as presented in the ESR.

Hon. Jeff Yurek
Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks
5th Floor, 777 Bay Street
Toronto, ON M7A 2J3
Email: Minister.MECP@ontario.ca

and

Director, Environmental Assessment and Permissions Branch
Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks
135 St. Clair Avenue West, 1st Floor
Toronto, ON, M4V 1P5
Email: enviropermissions@ontario.ca

With the exception of personal information, all comments will become part of the public record. Information collected will be used in accordance with the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act and solely for the purpose of conducting the environmental assessment.

This notice was first published on November 1, 2019.