Potential Third Crossing of the Cataraqui River
EA UPDATES
The Environmental Study Report is now available for review.
The April 2012 update on the Environmental Assessment.
[PDF 33KB]
View an archive of past EA Updates
PUBLIC NOTICE
See the Notice of Study Completion of Environmental Study Report for the Third Crossing EA.
BRIDGE CONCEPT
An example of one of the concepts for a Third Crossing of the Cataraqui River.
Environmental Assessment and bridge concept information package.
[Updated April 16]
A Summary of the Fourth Public Information Centre (March 1, 2012).
A Summary of the 2010 Environmental Assessment work.
[PDF 37KB]
A Summary of the Fourth Public Information Centre (March 31, 2011).
OTHER DOWNLOADS
Report to Council (prepared for its April 20 meeting) on Stage 1 of the EA for a potential third crossing.
A summary of the second Public Information Centre held March 3, 2010.
Read the November 2009 Cataraqui Crossing Café report.
A summary of comments from residents who reviewed information about the EA study at a Public Information Centre on April 23, 2009.
MAP
A map of the EA study area.
SUBSCRIBE
Sign up to receive updates on the EA study.
RELATED LINKS
Learn more about Municipal Class Environmental Assessments.
The Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency is involved in the EA study.
PDF HELP
The freely available Adobe Reader software can be used to view the PDF documents on the City of Kingston Web site.
[Download]
A Public Information Centre regarding the Environmental Assessment (EA) examining a potential Third Crossing of the Cataraqui River was held on March 1, 2012. The Municipal Class EA is now nearing completion. Those interested in the display panels and presentation handouts from this meeting can contact thirdcrossing@cityofkingston.ca.
Residents are now able to view technical background studies in the Document Library.
Construction costs for the proposed project (2011) ranged from $120 million (plus HST) for a two lane crossing to $200 million for a four lane crossing. If the project is undertaken, the City would examine a full range of funding options. The chosen concept for the bridge — a link between the base of Gore Road and John Counter Boulevard — is available at right.
Background
Milestones:
- Monthly updates on the progress of the EA are available at right.
- Presentation of Environmental Study Report to Council on May 1, 2012
- Public Information Centre was held on March 1, 2012
- Public Information Centre was held on March 31, 2011
- At the May 25, 2010, Council meeting, Council authorizes that Stage 2 of the Environmental Assessment (EA) study proceed.
- On April, 2010, report goes to Council on Stage 1 of the Environmental Assessment (EA) (available at right).
Purpose of EA
The City is undertaking this Environmental Assessment (EA) to evaluate the need for and the feasibility of implementing a third transportation crossing over the Cataraqui River. The EA study area is along the Cataraqui River from the LaSalle Causeway in the south to Highway 401 in the north. Other main roads in the EA study area are John Counter Boulevard, Montreal Street, Kingston Road 15 and Gore Road. The Cataraqui River forms part of the Rideau Canal, a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site, a National Historic Site and Canadian Heritage River.
Currently, there are two crossings of the Cataraqui River in the City:
- The LaSalle Causeway located on Highway 2, near the point of the Cataraqui River's discharge to Lake Ontario.
- The Highway 401 crossing located approximately 6 kilometres upstream of the LaSalle Causeway.
Studies dating back to 1964 have recognized the need for a third crossing of the Cataraqui River in the City in order to:
- Relieve traffic congestion on the LaSalle Causeway during rush hour times and when Highway 401 is closed.
- Improve access to areas of the City on both sides of the Cataraqui River.
- Enhance routes for the delivery of emergency services in the City.
The 2004 Kingston Transportation Master Plan reconfirmed the increasing need for a third crossing as the LaSalle Causeway was operating at full capacity. More recently, the 2009 KTMP Update further reaffirmed the need for additional transportation capacity across the Cataraqui River.
The related links at right and the Document Library provide additional information on the EA study.
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