FAQs

Municipal Class Environmental Assessment (MCEA) studies are undertaken for municipal road, water, wastewater and transit construction projects to ensure all reasonable alternative are considered and that the preferred solution will have minimal impacts to the natural, cultural, social and economic environments. The MCEA process ensures that the public and key interested parties are consulted throughout the planning process and feedback received is taken into consideration in the decision-making process.

This study is a Schedule ‘B’ Class Environmental Assessment (Class EA), which requires the completion of Phase 1 and 2 of the MCEA planning process. This includes identifying the Problem or Opportunity, Developing Alternative Solutions, selecting a Preferred Solution to address the problem and opportunities, and preparing a Project File Report, which documents the planning process undertaken. Learn more about the MCEA process at: https://municipalclassea.ca/manual/

There are two studies that are currently underway:

• Municipal Drain Study: This focuses on determining a solution to the flooding issue from outside of the public right-of-way through the works covered under the Ontario Drainage Act (1990).
• Municipal Class Environmental Assessment (MCEA): This study will address the issues (including road flooding) from within the public right-of-way along Safari Road.

Note: These studies are being completed as separate assignments; however the findings of each study will be shared so that the recommendations complement each other.

The study commenced in early Summer 2024.

It is estimated that the Safari Road Class EA will be completed at end of 2025. We will provide updates as the project progresses.

The study area includes lands within the Safari Road right-of-way from Kirkwall Road to Valens Road.

A portion of the study area lies within a designated Provincially Significant Wetland (PSW), known as the Sheffield Rockton PSW Complex that is part of a larger and interconnected complex of regenerating natural areas known as the Hyde-Rockton-Beverley Complex (Environmentally Significant Area #22 in the City of Hamilton Official Plan). The flooding on Safari Road may be due to the disruption of natural flow of an adjacent watercourse and the overall surface water drainage in the area. The presence of a wetland complex may increase sensitivity to the hydrological regime in the area from any such disruptive mechanism.

As part of the Safari Road Class EA, a hydrological and drainage study will be undertaken to support development of alternative solutions for the flooding issue, focusing specifically along the public right-of-way.

Input from the public, stakeholders and technical agencies is essential. As such, comments from the public are encouraged to help the study constructively move forward to address the flooding and drainage issues at Safari Road. The comments received during the public information centers (PICs) will be reviewed for consideration in the project, and ultimately in determining the preferred solution.

Residents are encouraged to regularly check the Engage Hamilton and project websites for updates, attend public meetings and participate in community engagement. The feedback from the community is vital to the success of this project.

You may also contact the city project manager at any time should you have any questions or would like to discuss. You may contact the city’s project manager (Ahmad Sarwar) at ahmad.sarwar@hamilton.ca.