Introduction

Proponent

Ministry of Transportation

Location

Kitchener/Guelph

Type

Transportation

Reference Number 

9830

Contact 

Environmental Approvals Branch, 416-314-8001

Toll free 1-800-461-6290

Current Status

Environmental assessment: approved, March 21, 2007

Project Summary

The purpose of the undertaking is to construct a 4-lane controlled access freeway between Kitchener and Guelph.

Project History

  • Environmental assessment: approved
    • Date submitted:  December 23, 1997
    • Expiry of public comment period: December 17, 2004
    • Expiry of public comment period for Ministry Review: March 18, 2005
    • Decision date:  March 21, 2007

Environmental Assessment

The Ministry of Transportation submitted an environmental assessment for this proposal on December 23, 1997, seeking approval to construct a 4-lane controlled access freeway between Kitchener and Guelph.

The government review of this project was completed on September 18, 1998 and the Ministry concluded that the proponent had met the requirements of the Environment Assessment Act. However, in response to concerns raised by local municipalities and local environment groups, the Ministry of Transportation requested that the decision on the environmental assessment be deferred.

The Ministry of Transportation completed additional studies and submitted an amendment to the environmental assessment for review and approval and it was available for public review and comment from October 29, 2004 until December 17, 2004. The Ministry of the Environment then prepared a new government review of the amended environmental assessment, which was available for public comment from February 11 until March 18, 2005. The Ministry of Transportation took a time-out from the environmental assessment process from June 2005 until September 2006 to complete additional consultation with First Nations. Consultation was completed and the environmental assessment was submitted to the Ministry of the Environment for review and approval on September 25, 2006.

The Highway 7 Kitchener to Guelph environmental assessment was approved on March 21, 2007.