Television Road Bridge Replacement

The Television Road Bridge Replacement Environmental Study Report, with associated appendices, is now posted for the 30-day Public Review Period. The Report is available from July 13, 2023 until August 17, 2023 in the Resources section of this webpage, and in hard copy at the City of Peterborough Clerk’s Office and the Peterborough Library, for on-site review within business hours.

Television Road Bridge Replacement Municipal Class Environmental Study

Late in 2016, the Television Road bridge over South Meade Creek had an Ontario Structure Inspection Manual assessment completed, which determined that the bridge was experiencing significant deterioration and replacement was necessary. The City started a Municipal Class Environmental Assessment (EA) in 2018 to plan the replacement of the bridge.

The Class EA process is used by Municipalities to plan infrastructure projects that are identified in the Class EA document. The process includes public, agency and stakeholder engagement. As part of the EA, two Public Information Centres were held in the fall of 2019 and summer of 2021. Results of those sessions can be found in the Resources section.

At its meeting on June 27, 2022, City Council approved the recommendations of the Television Road Bridge Replacement Class EA, and directed staff to proceed with posting the Environmental Study Report for the mandatory 30-day review period.

The EA study recommended replacing the existing bridge over Meade Creek with a new structure constructed to the east of the existing bridge so that traffic disruptions can be minimized during construction. The long-term planning for the new bridge recommended an ultimate 4-lane bridge (to be built at the time Television Road is widened) with active transportation facilities included in the design, along with a longer span to reduce flooding potential. If sufficient funding is available, the foundations for the ultimate bridge could be constructed at the time the new bridge is built to limit disturbances to the natural environment to a single occurrence.

The EA study also recommended extensive measures to mitigate the potential effects of the project, including retaining walls to limit incursion into the wetland, restoration and enhancement of disturbed areas, creation of a wildlife passage under the new bridge and creation of new breeding habitat.

The Environmental Study Report (ESR) will be available for review from July 13, 2023 until August 17, 2023 during business hours.

Outstanding Issues after ESR Review

In the event there are outstanding issues, the Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks may make two types of orders. The first type of order will require an individual environmental assessment on the grounds that the requested order may prevent, mitigate, or remedy adverse impacts on constitutionally protected Aboriginal and treaty rights. The second type of order may impose conditions on the undertaking. Requests to the ministry should include your full name and contact information and should specify what kind of order is being requested and how an order may prevent, mitigate or remedy potential adverse impacts on Aboriginal and treaty rights and any information in support of the statements in the request. Requests should also be sent to the City of Peterborough by mail or by email to the two project managers listed in the Who's Listening section to the right.

Minister

Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks

777 Bay Street, 5th Floor

Toronto, ON M7A 2J3

minister.mecp@ontario.ca

Director, Environmental Assessment Branch

Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks

135 St. Clair Avenue West, 1^st Floor

Toronto, ON M4V 1P5

EABDirector@ontario.ca

Please visit the ministry’s website for more information on requests for orders under Section 16 of the Environmental Assessment Act at: https://www.ontario.ca/page/class-environmental-assessments-part-ii-order

If there are any other outstanding concern(s), they should be directed to both Project Managers (see the Who's Listening section), no later than August 17, 2023.

Information is being collected in accordance with the Environmental Assessment Act and the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. Personal information you submit will become part of the public record that is available to the general public unless you request that your personal information remain confidential.