FAQs

An MCEA is a Municipal Class Environmental Assessment. This study falls under Schedule C Phases 1 through 4 which includes Identifying the Problem or Opportunity, Developing Alternative Solutions to address the problems and opportunities, Developing Alternative Design Concepts for the Preferred Solution, and preparing an Environmental Study Report. 

To learn more about the MCEA process, visit municipalcalssea.ca(External link)

The study started in August 2024 and is targeted to be completed by the end of 2025.

The study area includes all land adjacent to the right-of-way for West 5^th Street from Stone Church Road West to Rymal Road West.

Two transportation master plans have provided recommendations for study area: South Mountain Area Transportation Master Plan and the City-Wide Transportation Master Plan Review and Update, both recommending widening to three lanes.

The proposed improvements to the transportation infrastructure will be focused on the public right-of-way (ROW). However, if the existing ROW is too narrow on some sections of the road, we will investigate opportunities to modify the cross-section so it can be accommodated on public property. Should this not be feasible, the project team will ensure early and thorough communication with impacted property owners.

Active Transportation refers to the movement of people or goods powered by human activity. Active Transportation includes walking, cycling and the use of human-powered or hybrid mobility aids, such as wheelchairs, scooters, e-bikes, rollerblades, and more.

Improvements to active transportation are being recommended as part of the project. This may include separated bike lanes, multi-use paths, sidewalks, etc. Separated bike lanes and sidewalks have been included in the potential alternative cross-sections presented at Public Information Centre (PIC) #1. Additional work on possible active transportation options will be presented and discussed at PIC#2.

At this time, the potential active transportation facilities being considered for the study include comparing on street bike lanes on both sides of the road with bike lanes in the boulevard. The actual cross-section configuration is subject to evaluation and refinements during the next steps (Phases 3 & 4) of the EA process and will be presented and discussed at PIC#2.

The focus of this study is to assess options to improve active transportation, transit, traffic, and stormwater management throughout the corridor. Through the improvements to active transportation and transit (new route will be added to support Route 27 from Upper James), the public will have better access to additional transportation opportunities throughout the corridor, reducing the quantity of motor vehicle travel. Overall, this shift in transportation methods will help to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. In addition, stormwater management improvements will increase resiliency to climate change events, such as extreme rainfall. The measures implemented as part of the project will better manage stormwater run-off and reduce the risk of flooding.

As part of the environmental assessment study, an inventory of the existing natural environment in the area will be completed through field investigations, background research and consultation with the Hamilton Conservation Authority (HCA). A Natural Heritage Assessment Report will be prepared to summarize the findings.

Tree removal may be required as part of this project. At this time, the potential quantity of tree removal is not known, but impacts to the trees will be avoided and mitigated to the extent possible. As part of the study, opportunities for streetscaping and landscaping improvements will be taken into consideration where feasible.

The environmental assessment study is scheduled for completion by the end of 2025. If endorsed by Council and there are no outstanding issues with the study, then detailed design work can begin. It is anticipated that detailed design would take approximately 1 to 2 years. Tender of construction would be able to occur once detailed design is complete. The timing of both detailed design and construction are subject to change depending on the road reconstruction program and other coordinated works.

A Noise Assessment Study is being undertaken as part of the study. The findings will be presented as the study progresses, including the need for noise mitigation measures (i.e. noise barriers, landscaping, etc.). The noise assessment will use current and projected future traffic data to model the sound levels caused by road traffic with and without the proposed improvements.

We will review the history of collisions along the corridor to identify areas which may benefit from design changes to improve safety for all road users. We will also look at the design of pedestrian and cycling connections to support safe streets for vulnerable road users. One of the main elements of this study is to improve the safety and connectivity of the active transportation infrastructure along the corridor.

The existing posted speed limit of West 5^th St is 50 km/hr. The speed limit is not anticipated to change as part of these improvements but will be confirmed during future phases of the project.

A designated two-way left turn lane is being considered.