Notice of Study Completion

West Montrose Covered Bridge Rehabilitation

in the Township of Woolwich

Municipal Class Environmental Assessment Schedule C

The Regional Municipality of Waterloo has completed a planning study for the West Montrose Covered Bridge in the Township of Woolwich in accordance with the Ontario Environmental Assessment Act following the process for Schedule ‘C’ projects under the Municipal Class Environmental Assessment. This project addresses the necessary bridge improvements needed for the West Montrose Covered Bridge to ensure the long-term safety of the structure and its users. 

The Recommended Design Alternative includes:

• Removing the existing steel Bailey trusses.
• Replacing deteriorated wooden truss members and bridge elements.
• Reinforcing select members to accommodate a 10-tonne design live load.
• Maintaining the three-tonne posted load limit.
• Installing an overhead height restriction bar on the north approach and narrowing the road on the south approach to prevent oversized vehicles from accessing and damaging the bridge.

A summary of the environmental study process and the Recommended Design Alternative are included in a comprehensive Environmental Study Report (ESR).

The ESR Report will be available for review on the Region of Waterloo’s EngageWR.ca website at https://www.engagewr.ca/west-montrose for a 30-day public comment period, between August 21, 2024 and September 20, 2024. The ESR is also available for review in person during regular business hours at the Regional Municipality of Waterloo Clerk’s Office, 150 Frederick St., 2^nd Floor Kitchener, ON and at the Township of Woolwich Administration Office, 24 Church St. W, Elmira, ON.  

Interested persons may provide written comments to the Study Team anytime during this review period, but no later than September 20, 2024, by contacting the following Study Team members:

Section 16 Order: Aboriginal and Treaty Rights

As noted, public concerns are to be directed to the Region of Waterloo, as represented by the above Project Team members. However, where outstanding concerns may relate to potential adverse impacts to constitutionally protected Aboriginal and treaty rights, then Section 16 Order requests on these matters shall be addressed in writing, or by email, to the following provincial government contacts, and copied to the Project Team members listed above, no later than September 20, 2024.

In addition, a request may be made to the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks for an order requiring a higher level of study (i.e. an individual / comprehensive EA approval before being able to proceed), or that conditions be imposed (e.g. require further studies), only on the grounds that the requested order may prevent, mitigate, or remedy adverse impacts on constitutionally protected Aboriginal and treaty rights.

Requests on other grounds will not be considered. All requests should include the full name and contact information of the requester, for Ministry purposes.

This Notice was first issued August 21, 2024.

All comments and information provided become part of the consultation process and are being collected to assist the Region of Waterloo in making a decision. All submissions will become part of the public record files for this matter. Personal information collected is under the authority of the Municipal Act, 2001 and in compliance with the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act, R.S.O. 1990. Questions about the collection of personal information should be directed to Michelle Pinto, Senior Engineer at mipinto@regionofwaterloo.ca or 519-575-4603.