1. Why has the study been split into 4 phases/sections?
The Detail Design will be implemented in four (4) phases to correspond with the proposed construction phasing running generally from north to south. Implementing the Highway improvements in 4 phases will allow traffic onto sections of newly constructed infrastructure at an accelerated schedule, thereby facilitating safety and operational improvements as soon as possible. In addition, Advance Clearing Contracts may also be scheduled to limit impacts to wildlife.
2. What is the expected time of construction?
Details of construction are contained in the “Highway
69 Action Plan released in June 2005. A link to the Action Plan
is contained in the Report section of this website. The Action
Plan outlines the ministry plans for the planning, engineering
and construction for the four-laning of Highway 69.
3. What happens to homes located along the proposed route?
Although the proposed route is selected to minimize any impact to local residents, inevitably some properties are required to allow the four-laning to proceed. Those directly affected by the proposed roadway will be compensated at fair market value for their property. MTO Property Agents will be in touch with affected owners to discuss options.
4. How will area cottagers and other seasonal residents be notified and given the opportunity to participate?
This website will be updated on a regular basis to provide updated project information. In addition, interested persons can ask to be added to the project mailing list to receive updates on the Public Information Centres and other key milestones directly. Please see the “Contact Us” section of this website to be added to the project mailing list.
5. How will natural environment features and communities in the study area be impacted?
During the planning phase, significant effort was spent to identify significant environmental features and to avoid impacting these features as much as possible. Where this was not possible, then mitigation measures were identified in the 2004 Route Planning ad Environmental Assessment Report. Those mitigation measures will be addressed during the Detail Design Process and will be presented to review agencies and the public as they are developed.
6. How will communities along the highway be impacted by four-laning?
The Study Team has consulted with Municipalities as the study has been progressing to ensure that impacts are minimized and issues regarding property, access, and the environment are considered. To avoid impacts on existing concentrations of development along the Highway 69 corridor, consideration has been given during the planning phase to four-laning Highway 69 on a new alignment which avoids communities. Highway travelers will be able to safely access community nodes from both directions at interchanges.
7. How much does four-laning cost?
On average, it costs $10 million per kilometer
to build a four lane highway in Northern Ontario. The proposed
four-laning of Highway 69 represents a significant investment
in northern infrastructure and economic development. Design and
property acquisition is additional.
8. Will First Nation Communities be impacted by the new Highway 69?
At present, there are no First Nations Communities
within the project limits.
9. How will access between communities and access to area destinations be accommodated?
During construction, full access will be maintained to communities and area destinations via existing Highway 69. After construction, access to these features will be via newly constructed interchanges and service roads. There will be no direct access from the four-laned Highway 69.
10. Where will interchanges be located?
Interchanges are proposed at strategic locations,
typically at major highways and/or community access points, as
follows:
At Highway 637, and
One north of Crooked Lake Road via a realigned Sideroad
The proposed locations for these interchanges can be viewed on the plans available on the home page. You should check this page frequently to ensure that you are viewing the most up-to-date information.
11. Why are four lanes required along this section of Highway 69?
Four-laning of Highway 69 will provide benefits to local residents and business owners, other Ontario motorists and visitors to the area. Specifically it will:
Improve the safety of Highway 69 by reducing congestion and making passing easier, providing controlled access to the roadway, and separating northbound and southbound traffic with a median.
Improve travel times between northern and southern urban centres.
Improve access to areas already developed, allowing for continued
development and growth of the local tourist and recreational sector.
Reduce the likelihood and duration of road closures due to roadway
maintenance and accident investigations.
12. What is the purpose of this Detail Design project?
The purpose of this Detail Design project is to develop contract documents, finalize environmental mitigation and obtain outstanding approvals.
13. How will Detail Design improvements be assessed?
Improvements are assessed in co-ordination with project staff, relevant external agencies / interest groups and the general public. Federal agencies include: the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency, the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, Transport Canada (TC), Environment Canada (EC) and Heritage Canada. Provincial agencies include: the Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR), Ministry of the Environment (MOE), Ministry of Culture (MCL), Ontario Parks, Ministry of Tourism/Recreation and Ontario Provincial Police. Local municipalities, local Road Boards, Sustainable Forest License holders, Snowmobile Clubs, Interest Groups and the general public will also be engaged throughout the assessment process.
14. How will this Detail Design assignment be documented?
A Design and Construction Report (DCR) will be
prepared for each Contract to document how the commitments made
in the Route Planning and Environmental Assessment Report were
addressed. The Design and Construction Report will then be filed
for a 30-day public review period in summer 2007.
15. How will the snowmobile trail system be maintained during and following construction?
The Project Team will carry forward commitments to maintain the continuity of the snowmobile trail system identified in Route Planning Report, and consult with local snowmobile clubs throughout Detail Design . Construction staging will consider trail use/ need for temporary measures (trail crossings , signing, fencing etc.).
16. How do you minimize impacts to local residents during construction?
Contractors hired by the MTO to build new highways are required to protect affected residents during the construction period by maintaining access and dealing with noise and dust issues. The Contractor will utilize such measures as: acceptable daily hours of operation to minimize noise levels and treating gravel road surfaces to prevent excessive dust.
17. How do you minimize impacts to the traveling public during construction?
Ideally, construction of the new four-lane highway will occur away from the existing traffic flow. In situations where construction must occur on the existing highway, restrictions on the number and duration of operations are defined in the Contract.
