The study encompasses an area approximately 175 metres wide starting 200 metres north of Lorne Bridge to 200 metres south of the TH&B Railway River Crossing along the Grand River. Lorne Bridge currently carries traffic on Colborne Street West across the Grand River with a 30 tonne load limit in the winter. Brant’s Crossing Bridge was closed in February 2018 following a flooding and ice jam event; the bridge formerly carried pedestrian and cyclist traffic over the Grand River and would require structural repairs in order to be re-opened. The TH&B Crossing Bridge currently carries pedestrian and cyclist traffic over the Grand River and has been identified as requiring structural repairs to maintain the existing crossing.
The study is intended to identify the short and long-term plans for the three Grand River Bridges. The study will include determining the feasibility of removing the winter load limit on Lorne Bridge and the need for one or both of the TH&B Crossing Bridge and Brant’s Crossing Bridges based on an assessment of the technical, social and environmental factors, including impacts to the active transportation network and the risks of future flooding events of the Grand River.
The Process
The Environmental Assessment will be conducted as a Schedule ‘C’ Project in accordance with the “Municipal Class Environmental Assessment” (Municipal Engineers Association, October 2000, as amended in 2007, 2011, and 2015) which is an approved process under the Ontario Environmental Assessment Act. The Class EA process includes public and agency consultation, an evaluation of alternatives, an assessment of potential environmental effects of the proposed work and identification of reasonable measures to mitigate any potential adverse impacts.
The Notice of Study Completion was first issued on May 19, 2022. This Notice initiated a 30 calendar day Public Review Period. We encourage members of the public to review the Project File and share their comments or concerns by June 29, 2022.
