Minister of the Environment and Climate Change, Glenn Murray has announced that a higher level of environmental assessment (EA) is not needed to move forward with the reconstruction of Niska Road and replacement of the bridge.
“We’re very pleased Minister Murray is satisfied with the level of environmental assessment we’ve undertaken to thoroughly study the Niska Road area and fully understand our community’s concerns,” stated Guelph general manager and city engineer Kealy Dedman in a press release.
“We’re now ready to proceed with the much needed improvements to Niska Road that support Guelph’s safe and efficient transportation system.”
The project was originally approved by council in 2015.
Guelph Mayor Cam Guthrie said, “It is unfortunate that we’ve lost two construction seasons while awaiting this decision initiated by the Part II Order requests.
“I believe I speak for many within the community, especially now that the bridge has been closed due to safety concerns, that I’m glad that we can finally move forward.”
A Heritage Impact Assessment (HIA) will be completed before the detailed design stage.
As part of the public consultation, the final HIA will be provided to interested community members and made available on guelph.ca/niskaroad; and the community will be consulted on integrating cycling lanes into the final design.
The final design will also be available on guelph.ca/niskaroad before construction starts.
Next steps include conducting the HIA to inform the design for the Niska Road bridge, and starting the natural heritage study.
The natural heritage study will look at ground conditions and groundwater levels, and will inform how the city will reduce impacts from construction on the natural landscape including recommendations for wildlife crossings.
The Niska Road Bridge was closed at the end of February due to safety concerns about its condition and vulnerability to further deterioration from high spring water levels.
The bridge will remain closed until construction of the new bridge is complete in 2019.
The estimated cost for the recommended road improvements is approximately $2.1 million and the bridge is $2.4 million.
A total of $450,000 was approved in the city’s 2017 capital budget.
To date, the city has invested more than $650,000 on the Schedule C Project Municipal Class Environmental Assessment for Niska Road.
The Niska Road study extends from Downey Road to the City limits.
For more information about the Niska Road environmental assessment and approved improvements to the bridge and road, visit guelph.ca/niskaroad.
