Study Background

The Ontario Ministry of Transportation (MTO) is undertaking an individual Environmental Assessment (EA) study to address long-term transportation needs in the Region of Durham and surrounding areas.  The study supports the transportation objectives of the provincial Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe by providing for the efficient movement of people and goods within the study area. 
 
A new transportation corridor (highway / transitway) extending Highway 407 easterly from its current terminus at Brock Road in Pickering to Highway 35/115 in Clarington, with two north-south links (highway / transitway) connecting Highway 401 to the proposed extension of Highway 407, was recommended as part of the preferred Alternative To the Undertaking.  A number of other transportation improvements were also recommended as part of the preferred Alternative To the Undertaking.

The evaluation of the Alternatives To the Undertaking were presented at Public Information Centre (PIC) #1 in May and June 2006. Materials presented at PIC #1 can be found by clicking here and the “Alternatives To the Undertaking” report, documenting the evaluation and recommendations can be found on the Reports menu of this website.

Alternative Methods (Route Alternatives) and the screening criteria and results for the evaluation of Long List route alternatives were presented at PIC #2 in November and December 2006. To view the materials presented at PIC #2 click here.

The assessment and evaluation of Short List route alternatives, which determined the technically recommended route, is documented in the Alternative Methods Documentation which can be found on the Reports menu of this website.  The results of the evaluation of short list route alternatives resulted in the identification of a Technically Recommended Route (TRR) which was presented at PIC #3 in June and July 2007.  To view the materials presented at PIC #3 click here.

PIC #4 was held in June and July of 2008, and presented the Technically Preferred Route (TPR). The TPR included refinements to the TRR based on stakeholder and agency input. The material presented at PIC #4 can be found by clicking here.

The TPR was carried forward and based on further analysis and preliminary design work to identify the location/size of support facilities for the corridor was defined in greater detail. The TPR was presented for review and comment at PIC #5 in January/February 2009.  To view the materials presented at PIC #5 please click here.

The Ministry of Transportation (MTO) initiated Environmental Assessment (EA) studies in the early 1990's that developed a technically preferred route for the extension of Highway 407 from Brock Road to Clarington. However, these studies were not submitted to the Minister of Environment for approval and currently have no status.

In 2002, in accordance with new legislation, MTO commenced a new individual EA study for 407 East. Under the requirements of the Ontario Environmental Assessment Act (OEAA), an EA Terms of Reference (ToR) was completed as the first step in the preparation of the individual EA. The ToR was approved by the Minister of Environment on January 17, 2005.

The ToR document sets out the proposed work plan for the preparation of the EA Report and provides appropriate commitments to consultation, process and technical requirements during the EA study, including:

• A plan to address the legislated requirements of the OEAA and Canadian Environmental Assessment Act (CEAA);
• A preliminary identification of future transportation problems and opportunities and an outline of the process to establish need by re-examining problems and opportunities during the individual EA;
• An outline of the process for determining the individual EA study area;
  
• An outline of the process to identify, assess and evaluate alternatives to be considered
• The consultation plan to be followed during the preparation of the EA; and
• A framework for the preparation and review of the individual EA.

Historical Overview Report

• Historical Overview and Exhibits (1.08 MB)

  •	Historical Overview Appendix A (PDF/84.3 KB)
  •	Historical Overview Appendix B - 407 from Hwy 48 Whitby/Oshawa Link PDF/(3.39 MB)
  •	Historical Overview Appendix B - 407 from Whitby/Oshawa to 35/115 Link (PDF/9.65 MB)
  •	Historical Overview Appendix B - Ajax/Pickering/Whitby Link (PDF/4.27 MB)
  •	Historical Overview Appendix B - Oshawa/Clarington Link (PDF/3.94 MB)