Metrolinx looking for feedback on environmental report for Scarborough to Oshawa BRT Line

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Published January 21, 2022 at 10:21 am

Metrolinx is asking for the public’s help as the $500 million Durham-Scarborough Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project takes the next step to becoming a reality.

The transit agency issued a Notice of Completion for the BRT’s Environmental Project Report Thursday and is asking the public to review it and provide feedback.

The BRT will connect Scarborough with Durham with a 36-kilometre rapid bus line, using dedicated lines, that will travel from Scarborough Town Centre through Pickering, Ajax and Whitby and into Oshawa through the Highway 2 corridor.

The current end point is downtown Oshawa but the line will eventually connect with the proposed new GO Station at the old Knob Hills Farm site in south-central Oshawa.

Spur lines to Durham College/Ontario Tech University are also planned.

The environmental report is part of the BRT’s overall process that will guide the project along the way, including consultation, assessment of potential environmental impacts, an investigation of measures to mitigate negative impacts, and documentation.

Environmental studies are conducted to see what kind of effects will come from transit construction and eventual introduction of fully operational transit.

As part of the process, the builders will look at the environment within areas to see how they may be impacted by the work. It looks to answer questions such as are there any animal or tree species at risk? Are there any natural heritage sites? What impact would there be on air quality, noise, and vibration?

It also looks at what possible impacts will be felt by people and businesses. Once potential impacts are identified, mitigation measures are developed and documented.

The public can view the environmental report and offer feedback at Metrolinx Engage for a 30-day period until February 22. After that, there will be a 35-day Minister’s review period from February 23 to March 29.

Phase 1 of the project will get underway this year with preliminary work already underway. The $115 first phase will be funded through the federal government ($45.8 million), Queen’s Park ($38.1 million) and Durham Region ($30.5 million).

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