Current status

On August 15, 2025, the Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks approved the terms of reference for this project, which is the first step in the environmental assessment process.

Get details on the notice of approval.

Project summary

Niagara Region is undertaking the Niagara Escarpment Crossing comprehensive environmental assessment. The study aims to:

  • improve the transportation capacity for the movement of goods
  • redirect truck traffic away from residential areas in west Niagara

The assessment will look at a range of options to demonstrate the need for a new crossing of the escarpment.

A north-south transportation crossing of the Niagara Escarpment may have the potential to:

  • accommodate commercial vehicles and other modes of transportation
  • increase safety for local communities
  • improve efficiency for commercial vehicle operations
  • help serve higher transportation system capacity, redundancy and resiliency
  • help improve the movement of goods and people

The proposed transportation crossing study area includes:

  • Town of Grimsby
  • Town of Lincoln
  • Town of West Lincoln

Learn more on the proponent’s website.

Proponent

Regional Municipality of Niagara

Location

Niagara Escarpment, between the Queen Elizabeth Way and Regional Road 20, Town of Grimsby, Town of Lincoln, Town of West Lincoln

Project type

Transportation

Reference number

24013

Contact

Project history

Terms of reference: submitted
Date submitted: October 18, 2024
Expiry of public comment period: November 18, 2024
Decision date: August 15, 2025

Terms of reference

The purpose of the environmental assessment is to identify alternatives and study the potential effects of the proposed transportation corridor on the environment.

Niagara Region submitted the terms of reference for the Niagara Escarpment Crossing environmental assessment to the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks on October 18, 2024. A 30-day public, agency and Indigenous community comment period occurred from October 18, 2024 to November 18, 2024.

On August 15, 2025, the Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks approved the terms of reference, which is the first step in the environmental assessment process. The terms of reference sets out Niagara Region’s work plan for addressing the Environmental Assessment Act requirements for the environmental assessment. It builds upon the background work completed to date and includes:

  • alternatives and criteria to evaluate impacts that will be considered in the environmental assessment
  • a description of the consultation plan to be completed for the environmental assessment
  • responses to comments raised during the review of the draft terms of reference

Notice of approval

Environmental Assessment Act subsection 17.4 (10) approval of terms of reference for the preparation of an environmental assessment.

Proponent: Niagara Region
Project: Niagara Escarpment Crossing comprehensive environmental assessment
EA file number: 24013

The proponent submitted the terms of reference for approval under Part II.3 of the Environmental Assessment Act.

As provided for by subsection 17.4 (10) of the Environmental Assessment Act, the terms of reference submitted for approval to the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks on October 18, 2024 (terms of reference) to govern the preparation of an environmental assessment for the above-noted project, is hereby approved.

Pursuant to subsection 17.6 (1) of the Environmental Assessment Act, any environmental assessment for the above-noted project given to the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks must be prepared in accordance with the terms of reference, as hereby approved.

Reasons

I am satisfied that an environmental assessment prepared in accordance with the terms of reference, will be consistent with the purpose of the Environmental Assessment Act and the public interest for the following reasons:

  1. The terms of reference provides that the environmental assessment will be completed using a comprehensive public, Indigenous and government agency consultation process that is open and transparent.
  2. The terms of reference provides an appropriate level of detail to confirm that the completed environmental assessment should contain a sufficient level of detail to accurately assess the environmental effects of alternative methods.
  3. The terms of reference sets out a planning process that will ensure the completed environmental assessment will be consistent with the purpose of the Environmental Assessment Act and the public interest.
  4. There are no outstanding issues that have not been incorporated into the terms of reference or that cannot be addressed during the preparation of the environmental assessment.

Dated the 15th day of August, 2025 at Toronto.

Original signed by:

Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks
777 Bay Street, 5th Floor
Toronto, Ontario
M7A 2J3