Environmental Assessments (EA)

Current EA Projects

Road Master Action Plan (RMAP)

Road Master Action Plan Project

The County of Wellington is creating a Road Master Action Plan. This Plan will help the County map out improvements to the County’s transportation network.

In 2005, Wellington County undertook a review of its transportation network, when the Guelph Wellington Transportation Study was completed. To build on this work, provide an updated review, and coordinate with the transportation related initiatives that have been completed since 2005, Wellington County is undertaking a Road Master Action Plan (RMAP) study. The RMAP will review current and future transportation network requirements to accommodate future population and employment growth projected in the County to 2041. 

Study Documentation

Wellington Road 7 Bosworth Bridge (Mapleton)

Bosworth Bridge Project

The County of Wellington has initiated a Schedule B Municipal Class Environmental Assessment (EA) Study to confirm and document the existing structural deficiencies and identify alternative solutions, including rehabilitation or replacement of the Bosworth Bridge located south of Wellington Road 11 on Wellington Road 7.

The Bosworth Bridge is a single span, simply supported steel pony truss constructed in 1949 (71 years ago). The bridge was evaluated in 2008 by McCormack Rankin Corporation (MRC) at which time a load posting of 22t, 31t and 38t was determined to be required. Subsequent bracing of four deficient diagonals were added to improve the bridge capacity for unrestricted traffic.

Available Documentation

Wellington Road 11 Flax Bridge (Mapleton)

Flax Bridge Project

The County of Wellington has initiated a Schedule B Municipal Class Environmental Assessment (EA) Study to confirm and document the existing structural deficiencies and identify alternative solutions, including rehabilitation or replacement of the Wellington Road 11 Flax Bridge, and evaluate associated environmental impacts.

Available Documentation

Wellington Road 109 Bridges (North Wellington)

Wellington Road 109 Bridges Project

The County of Wellington has initiated a Schedule C Municipal Class Environmental Assessment (EA) Study to consider options to address the poor condition of four bridges on Wellington Road 109 between Highway 6 and Sideroad 7, southeast of the community of Arthur.

Within the Study Area, the Conestogo River is crossed by Wellington Road 109 at four locations. The bridges at all four crossings are in an advanced state of deterioration with some elements identified as not meeting current standards.

Available Documentation

Past EA Projects

Badley Bridge

Badley Bridge Construction Project

The County of Wellington's decision to replace the Metcalfe Street Badley Bridge in Elora was not an easy one.

Since 2015, staff and Council have carefully considered both rehabilitating and replacement options. Ultimately, after significant community consultation and the evaluation of 16 alternatives and over 50 factors, including safety and cost, the decision to replace the Badley Bridge was made. The new Badley Bridge will cost approximately $7.25 million. Rehabilitating the bridge would cost tax payers more than double (approximately $14.5 million), which would be equivalent to a 7.5% tax increase. 

The new Badley Bridge has been designed to showcase the character and charm of downtown Elora. The new bridge will widen traffic lanes and sidewalks, introduce bicycle lanes, and include an observation deck with spectacular views of the Grand River.

 What features will the new Badley Bridge incorporate?

The bridge will provide an open view of the Grand River and will include the following improvements: 

  • Wider sidewalks
  • Two new bike lanes
  • Expanded observation deck looking out to the Grand River
  • Enhanced lighting across the bridge
  • Wider traffic lanes 
  • New limestone gateway piers
  • New historic plaque

Plans to include a commemorative feature paying homage to the bridge's current metal structure will also be introduced. 

 What is the timeline for this project?
Construction on the Badley Bridge is scheduled to start in the Fall of 2019 with bridge piers in the Grand River. Removal of the existing bridge is planned for early 2020 and the new bridge is expected to be complete by December 2020.
What is the condition of the Badley Bridge?

In 2015, a structural evaluation of the Badley Bridge revealed that several major elements of the structure were in an advanced state of deterioration. Details and photos of structure conditions can be found on the Display Boards that were presented at Public Information Centres (PIC) in December 2015 and October 2016.

Ongoing structural evaluations occur every two years, and the 2017 inspection continued to confirm the advanced state of deterioration.

Was the public consulted on this project?

The County has published information and held Public Information Centres (PICs) about this project since 2015. Key dates and information are included below.

Date

Event and Available Documentation

June      2015

An environmental assessment (EA) was initiated by the County to define a bridge management plan for the replacement or rehabilitation of the Badley Bridge.

August  2015

Notice of Study Commencement is issued to the public.

December 2015

Public Information Centre #1

October 2016

Public Information Centre #2

January 2017

The Environmental Assessment Study Design Report is filed. It reviewed sixteen proposed solutions for the Badley Bridge, and shortlisted five for detailed analysis. The shortlisted alternatives included rehabilitation of the existing bridge as well as truss bridge alternatives. 

February 2017

Notice of Study Completion is issued to the public.

August 2017

MOECC Decision Letter Part II Order

June
2019

Public Information Centre #3

July

2019

 MECP Part II Order Compliance Letter

July

2019

 Notice of Project Update

Rendering of new Badley Bridge design

Available Documentation

Salem Bridge

The County of Wellington has initiated an Environmental Assessment (EA) to move forward with the rehabilitation or replacement of the Salem Bridge.

This Study will complete all phases of the Municipal Class EA by establishing the need and justification for the project, considering all alternatives and proactively involving the public in defining a Recommended Plan for improvements.

Available Documentation

Part II Order Requests

As of July 1st 2018, a standardized form is to be used by anyone who believes that the environmental assessment process was incomplete, incorrect or that it failed to follow the required process.  The required form can be found on the Forms Repository website (http://www.forms.ssb.gov.on.ca/) by searching “Part II Order” or “012-2206E (the form ID number).  Once completed, the form is then to be sent to both the Minister and Director of the Environmental Assessment and Permissions Branch. 

Their addresses are:

Minister, Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks
Floor 11
77 Wellesley St. West
Toronto, ON M7A 2T5
Minister.mecp@ontario.ca

Director, Environmental Assessment and Permissions Branch
Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks
135 St. Clair Ave. West, 1st Floor
Toronto, ON M4V 1P5
MOECCpermissions@ontario.ca

Eramosa River Bridge

The County of Wellington has initiated an Environmental Assessment (EA) to move forward with the rehabilitation or replacement of the Eramosa River Bridge.

This Study will complete all phases of the Municipal Class EA by establishing the need and justification for the project, considering all alternatives and proactively involving the public in defining a Recommended Plan for improvements.

 Available Documentation

Wellington Road 124 (Guelph-Eramosa)

The County of Wellington is conducting a Schedule C Municipal Class Environmental Assessment (EA) Study for improvements to Wellington Road 124 between Guelph Eramosa Township Road 1 and Fife Road. The improvements aim to address the growing traffic congestion along the corridor as well as road safety, intersection functionality and drainage. The study will define the problem, identify and evaluate alternative solutions and design concepts, recommend a design, assess potential impacts and identify mitigation measures associated with the preferred design. The County of Wellington has retained MTE Consultants to complete the EA Study.

Available Documentation

Study Area on Wellington Road 124 in Guelph Eramosa Township

Current EA Projects by Others

Highway 6 and 401

The Ontario Ministry of Transportation (MTO) is moving forward with a Preliminary Design Review and Detailed Design under the Class Environmental Assessment (EA) for improvements to Highway 6 and Highway 401 in the Township of Puslinch, Wellington County, and the City of Hamilton.

Interested persons are encouraged to visit the project website to obtain additional information, provide comments or to be placed on the project mailing list.

Documentation will be posted here as it becomes available.

© 2023 County of Wellington, 74 Woolwich St. Guelph, Ontario N1H 3T9, T 519.837.2600, TF 1.800.663.0750, F 519.837.1909