Public engagement

Public consultation is a key component of the Environmental Assessment process. We want your input to guide the direction of the Municipal Class EA Addendum, gain an understanding of the concerns and needs of interested parties, and help in the selection of the preferred alternative solution. An additional Environmental Study Report will be completed to confirm the validity of the 2017 recommendations or identify needed changes. Environmental technical information in the 2017 study will be reviewed to determine whether it is current and relevant to the study. Opportunities for public engagement will take place throughout the study with Indigenous communities, external agencies, adjacent property owners, and members of the public. One public information session will be held during the study and is scheduled for January or February 2026. Once a meeting date is confirmed, the location and time will be posted on this website, and notices will be sent to interested parties to notify them of the event. Stay tuned.

Current Study (Addendum to the 2017 Class EA – Environmental Study Report)

The City of Waterloo is completing a Municipal Class Environmental Assessment (EA) Addendum to the 2017 Class EA for this corridor. This Municipal Class EA Addendum serves to update the 2017 Class EA, identifying any current needs and changes, and further exploring opportunities to enhance the road corridor by maintaining its focus on efficient traffic operation and robust active transportation options for all users between King Street and Davenport Road.

With changes in land use, policies, design standards and local Transportation Master Plans, as well as a predicted population growth of 25,000 between now and 2051, the City would like to re-examine the 2017 EA’s recommendations and consider new solutions. The update to the 2017 Class EA will address current and future issues, leading to the selection of a proposed solution.

Previous Study (2017 Class EA – Environmental Study Report)

In 2017, the City of Waterloo successfully completed a Schedule ‘C’ Municipal Class Environmental Assessment (EA) for the Columbia Street East/Lexington Road corridor, specifically addressing the section between King Street and Davenport Road. The initial EA, which began in 2010, was designed to review opportunities for improving and enhancing the road corridor, with a focus on optimizing traffic operation and advancing active transportation. This involved identifying various alternatives to meet transportation needs, overall assessing the potential impacts of proposed improvements while establishing the appropriate environmental mitigation measures.

The study identified multiple traffic concerns including high collision rates, poor peak-hour service and future traffic growth. There was concern about the safety of active transportation infrastructure such as a lack of safe bike lanes and pedestrian connectivity. These issues resulted in various recommended solutions including road widening, bike lanes, intersection upgrades, interim off-road trail, and a two-way cycling trail over Highway 85. Some improvements were made in 2018 when construction took place for the implementation of off-road cycling between Holbeach Crescent and Davenport Rd. Later in 2022 improvements were made at the Davenport Rd intersection including the addition of bicycle cross-rides.