> Dundas BRT Round 3 Engagement - Environmental Assessment | Metrolinx Engage

Dundas BRT

Dundas BRT Round 3 Engagement - Environmental Assessment

Environmental Studies – Mississauga East

Dundas Bus Rapid Transit – Environmental Assessment Process

Metrolinx is planning for tomorrow to keep the Region moving as it continues to grow.

This means planning expansion and new infrastructure projects to serve this growing population into 2041 and beyond. To help people get to where they need to go, Metrolinx, in collaboration with the City of Mississauga, is continuing to advance planning for the Dundas Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) corridor. The Dundas BRT Project is a proposed transportation corridor along a 48 kilometre (km) stretch of Dundas Street from Highway 6 in the City of Hamilton through to the Kipling Transit Hub in the City of Toronto, linking Etobicoke and Mississauga City Centres. More than 20 km of this 48 km municipal transit project would operate in bus lanes or in a dedicated right-of-way, separate from other traffic, allowing faster and more reliable transit connections.

Planning is being undertaken by Metrolinx in collaboration with the municipalities in support of potential future municipal project implementation.

To get there, a Transit Project Assessment Process (TPAP) – to study impacts and proposed mitigation strategies – will be completed for the Mississauga (East and West) and Toronto segments of the corridor, in accordance with Ontario Regulation 231/08.

A TPAP is a focused environmental impact assessment process created specifically for transit projects, regulated under Ontario’s Environmental Assessment Act. It involves a pre-planning phase followed by a regulated engagement and documentation period, which includes engagement with the public, stakeholders and Indigenous Nations, assessment of impacts, development of measures to mitigate negative impacts, and documentation. Following these phases, there is a 30-day public review period where the public has the opportunity to review the Environmental Project Report (EPR) and provide additional comments, followed by a 35-day Minister’s review period.

A TPAP makes sure that the natural, social, cultural, and economic environments are assessed and potential adverse effects from the proposed Project are avoided, mitigated, or minimized where feasible. TPAPs are regulated under Ontario’s Environmental Assessment Act, and are submitted for the Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks’ review prior to proceeding with the transit project. 

For the Dundas BRT Project, three separate TPAPs will be conducted for:

  • Toronto
  • Mississauga East (WE ARE HERE)
  • Mississauga West

TPAP – Dundas BRT Mississauga East Project

The TPAP for the Dundas BRT Mississauga East (between Etobicoke Creek and Confederation Parkway) Project commenced on December 10, 2021. The environmental studies determine potential impacts and document mitigation measures that could be applied to reduce or eliminate potential impacts. Mitigation measures proposed will be used by the design team to review and improve design. The following draft environmental studies have been completed and will form part of the Dundas BRT Environmental Project Report (EPR) for the Mississauga East segment of the corridor.

An illustration highlighting the eight key areas of the Environmental Studies: Natural Environment, Socio-Economic & Land Use Characteristics, Cultural Heritage, Noise & Vibration, Archaeology, Climate Change & Sustainability, Traffic & Transportation, and Air Quality. These are used as input to develop the Environmental Project Reports, which will be built for Mississauga East, Mississauga West, and Toronto segments. An illustration highlighting the eight key areas of the Environmental Studies: Natural Environment, Socio-Economic & Land Use Characteristics, Cultural Heritage, Noise & Vibration, Archaeology, Climate Change & Sustainability, Traffic & Transportation, and Air Quality. These are used as input to develop the Environmental Project Reports, which will be built for Mississauga East, Mississauga West, and Toronto segments.

Notification of TPAP commencement was provided via mail, email, newspaper advertisements in Mississauga News (English) and Mississauga Le Metropolitain (French) and posted on the Project webpage on December 10, 2021.

The third round of public engagement, which will present the results of the environmental studies and Preliminary Design refinements made to the Mississauga East segment of the corridor, will be available online from January 18 to February 1, 2022, at MetrolinxEngage.com/DundasBRT. Participants can read more about the Project and complete a feedback form, submit a question, or contact the team via email or telephone. Participants can also attend a virtual live meeting on January 27, 2022 from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. at MetrolinxEngage.com/DundasBRT. The live session will feature updates from Project experts and an opportunity to ask any questions that you may have about the Project.

The Environmental Project Report (EPR) for the Dundas BRT Mississauga East Project will be available at MetrolinxEngage.com/DundasBRT in Winter 2022 as part of the 30-day public review period per the TPAP.

TPAP: Next Steps – Mississauga East

Following this round of engagement, Metrolinx and the City of Mississauga will: 

  • Continue to refine and optimize the Environmental Project Report (EPR) based on feedback received during this round of engagement; 
  • Progress TPAP to completion and issue the Notice of Completion of the TPAP in February 2022 to kick-off the 30-day public review period, followed by the 35-day Minister’s review and then the Statement of Completion; and 
  • Share the Final EPR for Mississauga East during the 5th round of engagement in winter 2022.

TPAP: Next Steps – Mississauga West and Toronto

Following this round of engagement, Metrolinx will: 

  • Use information gathered through the existing environmental conditions studies to identify potential impacts of the Project in Toronto and Mississauga West; 
  • Initiate TPAP commencement in fall 2022; 
  • Identify potential impacts of the Project and proposed mitigation measures to present in the Draft EPR for Toronto and Mississauga West, to share with the public in winter 2022, following the Toronto and Mississauga West TPAP commencement; 
  • Progress TPAP to completion, incorporating feedback received during the 30-day public review period; and 
  • Share the Final EPR for Toronto and Mississauga West.

TPAP: Next steps

The Project Team will continue to complete any necessary studies and proceed with the design of the Dundas BRT corridor. Feedback received from round 3 public engagement will be used by the Project Team to influence refinements to the Environmental Project Report (EPR) and corridor designs for Mississauga East. Work will continue to advance the four segments of the Project as demonstrated below:

Graphic displaying the Project Process: Transit Project Assessment Process (TPAP), Preliminary Design (PD), and Preliminary Design Business Case (PDBC). We are currently in the Mississauga East 35 Day Minister’s Review period, during which the Statement of Completion is released. Previous stages of the Project Process are listed as follows: In 2020, project launch and initiation of preliminary environmental studies occurred. This was followed by the first round of Public Engagement in 2021. Next, in 2021, the environmental studied were initiated, the existing environmental conditions studies were completed, the second round of Public Engagement took place and the Notice of Commencement for TPAP, Environmental Project Report and Preliminary Design for Mississauga East documents were produced. In 2022, the third round of Public Engagement took place, followed by the Mississauga East TPAP consultation and documentation, Mississauga East Notice of Completion and the 30-day public review period. These activities are followed by the Mississauga East 35 Day Minister’s Review period, during which the Statement of Completion is released (we are here), and the Preliminary Design for Halton and Hamilton. Continuing in 2022, this will be followed by the fourth round of Public Engagement, the Preliminary Design Business Case, the Notice of Commencement for TPAP, EPRs and Preliminary Design for Toronto and Mississauga West. Nearing the end of 2022, the fifth round of Public Engagement is scheduled to occur, along with the Toronto and Mississauga West TPAP Consultation and documentation release and the release of the Toronto and Mississauga West Notice of Completion. Towards the beginning of 2023, the 30-Day Public Review period is scheduled to occur followed by the final activities, the Toronto and Mississauga West 35 day Minister’s Review and release of the Statement of Completion.

Key Documents

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the process for submitting an objection to the Minister of Environment, Conservation and Parks?

If there are any concerns, questions or objections to the Project, you can provide a written submission to the Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks for consideration no later than March 25, 2022. The submission may be provided by email to [email protected]. All submissions must clearly indicate that an objection to the Dundas Bus Rapid Transit Project is being submitted and describe any negative impacts to matters of provincial importance related to natural or cultural environment or Aboriginal treaty rights. Objections must be received within 30 days after the Notice of Completion of the Environmental Project Report is first published (February 22, 2022) for the Minister’s consideration. If objections are received by March 25, 2022, the Minister is required to consider the objection and determine next steps.

How is the Dundas BRT Project being funded?

The Dundas Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Project is currently without confirmed funding or a construction timeline as, at this time, the Project is in an early design phase. Project outcomes will be finalized following the detailed design phase. Ongoing planning and environmental assessment work is being undertaken in collaboration with the municipality in support of potential future municipal implementation.

Planning in Mississauga East is advancing to meet requirements of the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Plan (ICIP) federal funding application. The results of this application, submitted by the City of Mississauga, are expected to be received shortly.

In addition to federal funding for the Mississauga East segment of the corridor, Metrolinx is currently working on the Preliminary Design Business Case (PDBC) to identify the overall costs and benefits of the Project. The PDBC takes the recommended option of the Initial Business Case and reviews different approaches to refine and optimize it. The PDBC occurs during the Preliminary Design stage, along with the Transit Project Assessment Process (TPAP). It leads to a single preferred option for final development in the Full Business Case (FBC).

More information can be found in the Dundas BRT Initial Business Case, published in September 2020.

How much funding has been allotted for the Dundas BRT Project to-date?

The Dundas Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Project is currently without confirmed funding or a construction timeline. In 2020, Metrolinx and the City of Mississauga entered into a cost-sharing agreement for the Preliminary Design and Transit Project Assessment Process (TPAP) for the Dundas BRT corridor. The City of Mississauga has submitted an application for federal funding under the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Plan (ICIP), which is why planning for the Mississauga East segment has advanced compared to the other segments. The results of this application (government approval) are expected to be received shortly.

Who has provided funding?

The Dundas Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Project is currently without confirmed funding or a construction timeline. Planning in Mississauga East is advancing to meet requirements of the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Plan (ICIP) federal funding application. The results of this application, submitted by the City of Mississauga, are expected to be received shortly. Metrolinx is also currently working on the Preliminary Design Business Case (PDBC) to identify the overall costs and benefits of the Project.

What is a Transit Project Assessment Process (TPAP)?

The TPAP is a focused environmental impact assessment process created specifically for transit projects. It involves a pre-planning phase followed by a regulated consultation and documentation period, which includes engagement with the public, stakeholders and Indigenous Nations, assessment of impacts, development of measures to mitigate negative impacts, and documentation. Following these phases, there is a 30-day public review period where the public has the opportunity to review the Environmental Project Report (EPR) and provide additional comments, followed by a 35-day Minister’s review period.

When will the Transit Project Assessment Process (TPAP) for the remainder of the corridor take place?

The study is structured into the following four areas along Dundas Street, three TPAPs for Toronto, Mississauga East and Mississauga West, and one Preliminary Design Business Case (PDBC).  

  • Toronto – Kipling Transit Hub to Etobicoke Creek 
  • Mississauga East – Etobicoke Creek to Confederation Parkway (WE ARE HERE) 
  • Mississauga West – Confederation Parkway to Ninth Line 
  • Halton and Hamilton – Ninth Line to Highway 6 (no TPAP anticipated)  

The next round of engagement (January 2022) is focused on the Mississauga East segment. Engagement on Toronto, Mississauga West and Halton and Hamilton will continue through 2022. Results from the environmental studies conducted for Toronto and Mississauga West will be shared with the public in winter 2022.

Several Municipal Class Environmental Assessments have been conducted in Halton and Hamilton with existing environmental assessment approvals in place. This includes various road widening projects where, in Halton Region, the curb lanes include provision to accommodate potential High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) or bus-only lanes. Additionally, operational changes are anticipated for this area to complete this Project. As such, environmental studies for Halton and Hamilton are not required as part of this Project.

How is the Transit Project Assessment Process (TPAP) different than the Environmental Assessment (EA)?

The TPAP is different from a Class EA process under the Environmental Assessment Act as it is exclusive to transit projects and follows a streamlined process with regulated timelines. Projects assessed under the TPAP do not require any further approvals under the Environmental Assessment Act. Projects under the TPAP are assessed based on a preferred design rather than assessing alternative designs under a Class EA process. A significant portion of the environmental studies and consultation occurs during the pre-planning activities prior to the Notice of Commencement as a TPAP is to be completed within the regulated timelines.

What feedback regarding the Project, including the Mississauga East segment, has been raised by the community?

Feedback provided during the first and second rounds of public engagement for the Project has been and will continue to be considered to inform key Project decision-making. Public feedback is important to this process.

The public has identified opportunities to:

  • Use existing traffic spaces
  • Expand and improve cycling facilities on Dundas Street
  • Connect the Dundas BRT to future projects and other express transit services (e.g., GO Transit, Hamilton Street Railway, Toronto Transit Commission)
  • Provide a reliable transport service as a result of dedicated BRT lanes
  • Create an efficient transit system while maintaining traffic flow for all road users by implementing Alternative 1 at the Cooksville pinch point or implement Alternative 3 to include no left-turns at high-traffic intersections to avoid traffic delays

The public has identified concerns about:

  • Potential noise and vibration impacts
  • Potential impacts to public and private properties
  • Environmentally sensitive areas
  • Environmental and community impacts as a result of Project construction and operation
  • Cycling safety
  • Traffic flow on Dundas Street as a result of modifications to the right-of-way (i.e., adding, removing traffic lanes)
  • Potential for Alternative 4 for Cooksville pinch point to negatively impact BRT service reliability by operating buses in mixed traffic
  • Preserving the existing buildings and community culture of the surrounding area

Questions from the public related specifically to the Mississauga East segment were about the BRT navigating through the Hurontario Road intersection, connections to the Dixie GO station, placement of the Dixie BRT station and the number of BRT stops along Dundas Street between Etobicoke Creek and Confederation Parkway.

How are concerns from the public addressed in the Environmental Project Report (EPR)?

The Project Team reviews all comments and questions submitted throughout each phase of the study and uses the feedback to refine the EPR and Preliminary Design. All comments received from the public, stakeholders and Indigenous Nations will be documented in the engagement/consultation record for this Project as part of the EPR.

Feedback received to-date through the first and second rounds of engagement have influenced the refinement and optimization of the 10% Preliminary Design and EPR for Mississauga East.

Some of the comments received will be carried forward to detail design, such as station/stop design, connections with other modes of transportation and environmental protection measures. These are too detailed for the environmental assessment stage but are valuable to the future design.