Assessment Process

This Study is following the streamlined assessment process as set out in Ontario Regulation 697/21. This allows MTO to move the project forward in an environmentally responsible way. The Project Team is including previous environmental commitments made during the 2002 Route Planning and Environmental Assessment Study as set out in the regulation, and the Simcoe County Road 4 Widening Environmental Assessment study as applicable. Alternatives within the project Study Area are being generated and evaluated based on technical and environmental factors, and in consultation with Indigenous Communities, public stakeholders, municipalities, and government agencies.

Environmental Impact Assessment Report

In accordance with Sections 20 and 25, the ministry prepared a Draft Environmental Impact Assessment Report to document:

  • a description of environmental conditions within the Bradford Bypass Corridor;
  • a description of all studies undertaken;
  • an assessment and evaluation of preliminary design alternatives;
  • a description of any measures proposed to mitigate any negative impacts that the preliminary design alternatives may have on the environment and the criteria for assessment and evaluation of those impacts;
  • a description of the methods to monitor the effectiveness of the mitigation measures proposed;
  • a description of any municipal, provincial, federal, or other approvals or permits that may be required;
  • the consultation record with Indigenous communities, regulatory agencies and interested stakeholders etc, and,

In accordance with Section 27 of Ontario Regulation 697/21, the Final Environmental Impact Assessment Report was posted to the Project Website on November 16, 2023:

Notice of Publication of Final Environmental Impact Assessment Report
Final Environmental Impact Assessment Report
Appendix A – Fish and Fish Habitat Existing Conditions
Appendix B – Roll Plan
Appendix C1 – Notices and Letters
Appendix C2 - Meetings
Appendix C3 – Public Information Centres
Appendix C4 – Record of Consultation

Groundwater Protection and Well Monitoring Plan

In accordance with Section 22 of Ontario Regulation 697/21, comments provided on the Draft Groundwater Protection and Well Monitoring Plan have been considered and the Final Groundwater Protection and Well Monitoring Plan has been published on the Project Website.

Stormwater Management Plan

In accordance with Section 23 of Ontario Regulation 697/21, comments provided on the Draft Stormwater Management Report have been considered and the Final Stormwater Management Report has been published on the Project Website.

Environmental Conditions Report

As part of the project-specific assessment of environmental impacts as identified in Ontario Regulation 697/21, an Environmental Conditions Report (ECR) was prepared to document the:

  • update to the description of the environmental conditions from the Bradford Bypass 2002 Environmental Assessment (EA);
  • description of all studies undertaken in relation to updating the environmental conditions in the Study Area;
  • identification and description of any changes to the technically preferred route, as identified in the 2002 Environmental Assessment, as a result of changes to the environmental conditions; and,
  • consultation record with Indigenous communities, regulatory agencies and interested stakeholders, etc.

The Notice of Publication of the Draft Environmental Conditions Report was issued on August 12, 2022 in accordance with Section 17 of Ontario Regulation 697/21. The Draft Environmental Conditions Report was made available for public review on the Project Website between August 12, 2022 and September 16, 2022.

Comments on the Draft Environmental Conditions Report have been collected to assist MTO in meeting the requirements of Ontario Regulation 697/21. This material will be maintained on file for use during the Study and is included in project documentation. Information collected will be used in accordance with the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. F.31. With the exception of personal information, all comments have become part of the public record.

In accordance with Section 19 of Ontario Regulation 697/21, the Notice of Final Environmental Conditions Report was issued on October 27, 2022. The Final Environmental Conditions Report is now available:

Notice of Publication of Final Environmental Conditions Report
Final Environmental Conditions Report
Appendix A: Fish and Fish Habitat Existing Conditions Table
Appendix B1: Notifications
Appendix B2: Meeting Materials
Appendix B3: Record of Consultation

The Notice of Publication of the Draft Environmental Conditions Report was issued on August 12, 2022 in accordance with Section 17 of Ontario Regulation 697/21. The Draft Environmental Conditions Report was made available for public review on the Project Website between August 12, 2022 and September 16, 2022.

Comments on the Draft Environmental Conditions Report have been collected to assist MTO in meeting the requirements of Ontario Regulation 697/21. This material will be maintained on file for use during the Study and is included in project documentation. Information collected will be used in accordance with the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. F.31. With the exception of personal information, all comments have become part of the public record.

Issues Resolution Process

Section 26 of Ontario Regulation 697/21 required an issues resolution process for the Bradford Bypass Draft Environmental Impact Assessment Report. All concerns raised during the review periods of the Draft Environmental Impact Assessment Report by Indigenous communities, interested persons, and stakeholders were documented. A description of the concerns raised by Indigenous communities and interested persons in the issues resolution process and of the outcome of the process, including what, if anything, the proponent did or will do in respect of the concerns raised. Upon completion of the issues resolution process, the Ministry prepared and filed the Final Environmental Impact Assessment Report in accordance with Ontario Regulation 697/21, Section 27. No federal lands/properties will be impacted by the Study and therefore does not trigger the Impact Assessment Act (2019). The Project Team will keep apprised of any changes to provincial and federal legislation as the Study progresses.

An aerial photograph of Bradford Ontario.

Impact Assessment Act (IAA) Federal EA Process

Bradford Bypass Project Team’s Response to the IAAC Designation Request

Click on each title below to download the documents:

Minister's Decision

May 3, 2021 — The Minister of Environment and Climate Change has determined that the Bradford Bypass Project proposed by the Ontario Ministry of Transportation does not warrant designation under the Impact Assessment Act. The reasons for the Minister’s determination are provided in his response. For more information, visit Canadian Impact Assessment Registry for the Bradford Bypass Project  to learn more about the evaluation of the project.

For more information on the Federal EA process under the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada (IAAC), please see the following links:

Design Study Process for Bradford Bypass

Previous Studies and Design Stages

  • Bradford Bypass 1997 Route Planning Study – Complete (Approved 2002)
  • Bradford Bypass Environmental Study Updates and Initiate Permission to Enter – 2019-2020 – Complete
  • Highway 400 Planning and Preliminary Design Study from the South Canal Bridge to 1.0 km South of Highway 89 (November 2003)

Current Studies and Design Stages

Future Design Stages

  • Detailed Design for the Bradford Bypass Project
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