Ottawa-Carleton Cumberland Transitway

Proponent

Regional Municipality of Ottawa-Carleton

Location

City of Gloucester and City of Cumberland

Type

Transportation

Reference number

9743

Contact

Environmental Assessment Branch

• Tel: 416-314-8001
• Toll-free: 1-800-461-6290

Project summary

The Regional Municipality of Ottawa-Carleton sought approval for the planning, construction and operation of the Cumberland Transitway. It is proposed that this exclusive, right-of-way bus route extend for approximately 10 km from just west of Navan Road, the eastern boundary of Blackburn Hamlet in the City of Gloucester and east to approximately Trim Road in the City of Cumberland, with six associated transit stations and a park and ride facility.

Since the Cumberland Transitway passes through the National Capital Commission (NCC) Greenbelt, a harmonized environmental assessment process was followed to satisfy NCC Environmental Assessment Policy and provincial EA requirements.

The Transitway EA was undertaken at the same time as the planning of the Blackburn Hamlet Bypass Extension. The Blackburn Hamlet Bypass Extension was subject to the requirements of Schedule "C" projects under the Class Environmental Assessment for Municipal Road Projects (Municipal Engineers Association, 1993). Both transportation facilities are highly integrated and will be developed together as part of the overall transportation demand management policy.

While it is not anticipated that the undertaking will be constructed for 10 to 15 years, the environmental assessment was completed to ensure that the land needed to develop the best possible alignment is protected from future development. This allows planning to occur without the constraint of development, and also satisfies future transportation demand to and from the East Urban Community Expansion Area as identified in previous planning initiatives.

Project history

Environmental assessment: approved
Date submitted: October 12, 1999
Expiry of public comment period for ministry review: March 24, 2000
Decision date: May 17, 2000
Environmental Assessment Act expiry date extended to: February 22, 2034

Terms of reference: approved Date submitted: April 13, 1998 (PD 25/05/98)
Expiry of public comment period: June 25, 1998
Decision date: October 14, 1998

Environmental assessment 

On May 17, 2000, the former Minister of the Environment, with Cabinet concurrence, approved the Ottawa Carleton Cumberland Transitway environmental assessment.

With the proclamation of section 17.25 of the Environmental Assessment Act on February 22, 2024, the expiry date of the approval was extended by Minister's Notice. The project’s approval will now expire on February 22, 2034.

The project remains subject to all conditions in its Notice of Approval and further conditions imposed through the Minister’s notice.

Get details on the notice of approval.

The Regional Municipality of Ottawa-Carleton is seeking approval for the planning, construction and operation of the Cumberland Transitway. It is proposed that this exclusive, right-of-way bus route extend for approximately 10 km from just west of Navan Road, the eastern boundary of Blackburn Hamlet in the City of Gloucester and east to approximately Trim Road in the City of Cumberland, with six associated transit stations and a park and ride facility. While it is not anticipated that the undertaking will be constructed for 10-15 years, the environmental assessment is being completed now to ensure that the land needed to develop the best possible alignment is protected from future development, thereby allowing planning to occur without the constraint of development, and also to satisfy future transportation demand to and from the East Urban Community Expansion Area as identified in previous planning initiatives.

Terms of reference

On October 14, 1998, the former Minister of the Environment approved the terms of reference for the Ottawa Carleton Cumberland Transitway project.

Get details on the notice of approval.