Key components of the proposed improvements include:
EDCO is a joint venture between EllisDon Corporation and Coco Paving Inc. EDCO was selected by The Ministry of Transportation Ontario (MTO) and Infrastructure Ontario (IO) to design, build and finance the QEW/Credit River Improvement Project.
Benefits of the QEW/Credit River Improvement Project include:
Construction of the Project began in the Summer of 2020 when MTO initiated site preparation work and installation of environmental protection measures. Work by EDCO will begin in February 2021.
The project is scheduled to be complete in 2025.
EDCO will minimize impacts to traffic to the extent possible and maximize the safety of the travelling public throughout the construction work zone. During peak traffic hours, six lanes will be maintained on mainline QEW, as per existing conditions. Advanced notification of all temporary closures and lane reductions will be provided through the Project website and as E-Blasts to everyone on our Contact List. Click here to sign up to our Contact List and receive advance notification of all closures. Please drive in accordance to the conditions, stay alert and keep a safe distance from the vehicles in front.
The public will be notified of closures through the following methods:
Westbound Lane Closures start at 11:00 pm and run until 6:00 am nightly; on weekends, they run until 7:00 am on Saturdays and 8:00 am on Sundays. Eastbound lane closures start at 10:00 pm and run until 5:00 am nightly; on weekends, they run until 7:00 am on Saturdays, and 8:00 am on Sundays.
As a result of the widening of the QEW to accommodate the new Credit River Bridge, Premium Way will be realigned to the north between Lynchmere Ave and Dickson Road. Additional work along Premium Way will include relocating existing utilities, replacement of culverts and resurfacing of pavement. During construction, temporary closures will occur along Premium Way.
Clearing is the first stage of any construction project. This will be one of the first activities to take place, and trees will be cleared in order to widen the highway. Trees will be cleared outside of nesting season to mitigate impacts to migratory birds. Otherwise, trees will be reviewed by an Avian Biologist prior to removal to verify the presence of any active nesting.
EDCO will be developing a detailed landscape plan as part of the project’s detail design and completing all required site restoration following construction.
Appropriate mitigation measures have been recommended/developed based on the potential effects identified during previously completed and ongoing studies. All mitigation measures will be documented in the Design and Construction Reports.
We understand that the current vibration issues are due mainly to the age of the bridge deck and the joints.
A preliminary assessment determined that the replacement of the expansion joints would not only improve the condition of the bridge deck but would also alleviate some noise and vibration impacts. Replacement of the existing expansion joints was implemented as part of the Holding Strategy project, completed in 2013.
Additionally, the number of expansion joints on the existing QEW Credit River will be reduced as part of the bridge replacement. This will assist in reducing the noise and vibration associated with the bridge.
The bridge is listed on the Ontario Heritage Bridge List and is considered provincially significant. The bridge structure is now a landmark and is an integral part of the Credit River Valley cultural heritage landscape.
The bridge will be rehabilitated in order to preserve the arch structures. The design of both the rehabilitated bridge and the new north twinned bridge incorporate the ER steel light standards.
Median mounted conventional lights will be installed west of the Mississauga Road interchange, and both east and west of the Credit River. These lights are shorter than HML poles and direct light onto the highway.
High mast light poles will only be installed within the Mississauga Road interchange.
A Class Environmental Assessment (EA) is a decision-making framework under the Ontario Environmental Assessment Act that applies to a range of similar, or class of, projects. A Class EA is used when potential environmental impacts and the proposed mitigation techniques are predictable and/or similar to other projects within that same class. MTO’s “Class EA for Provincial Transportation Facilities” document was developed in consultation with the Ministry of the Environment, and it defines and documents the process to be followed when conducting the EA study as well as requirements for public participation.
The Class EA process for this study was completed by MTO in 2013. The Project Consortium selected to Design, Build and Finance the project will complete the Detail Design phase and build upon the work completed during the EA and completes the necessary steps to prepare the project for construction.
Yes. In 2013, MTO completed a study that followed the process for a Group ‘B’ project under the Class Environmental Assessment (EA) for Provincial Transportation Facilities (2000) and identified a strategy to accommodate transportation improvements for the QEW from west of Mississauga Road to west of Hurontario Street. The Class EA study was documented in a Transportation Environmental Study Report (TESR 2013).
MTO carried out additional consultation for the project in 2017 and 2018. In 2019, the province chose to implement this project through a Design-Build-Finance (DBF) delivery model. Under this model, Detail Design and construction can occur simultaneously as components of the Project advance, and environmental clearances are issued. In 2020, MTO prepared Design and Construction Report #1 (DCR #1) under the Class EA and to document site preparation work and installation of environmental protection measures that has taken place this Summer and Fall. This report also documents a five-year review of the TESR 2013 completed in accordance with the requirements of the Class EA.
The QEW/Credit River Improvement Project continues to follow the approved planning process for a Group ‘B’ project under the Class EA with the opportunity for public input throughout.
Additional information on the Environmental Assessment process can be found here.
An Environmental Management System (EMS) has been developed to establish processes to comply with the environmental requirements of the ISO 14001:2015 Standard. The purpose of the EMS is to provide EDCO with a framework and systematic approach to protect the environment, improve environmental performance, and illustrate continuing environmental compliance in balance with the socio-economic needs during the course of the Project.
A Design and Construction Report (DCR) is the Environmental Assessment (EA) document prepared for a Group ‘B’ project under the MTO Class EA for Provincial Transportation Facilities (2000).
DCRs document the EA process, design and implementation details, environmental impacts and mitigation measures, and a summary of consultation undertaken.
Following the completion of the DCR, and subject to obtaining required permits, approvals, and authorizations, Environmental Clearance will be issued to allow for construction of the works covered in the DCR. Everyone on the Project Contact List will be contacted when a DCR is made available for review and comment. Click here to sign up to our Contact List and received notification of all DCRs.
Noise walls will be installed during construction on the north and south sides of the QEW on the new structures. Existing noise walls will either be retained, replaced in the same location, or relocated to accommodate the realignment of the QEW. In most locations, it is anticipated that new noise walls will be installed prior to removal of the existing to ensure continuous noise abatement throughout construction.
The relocated noise barriers between the QEW and Kedleston Way will be placed along the south edge of the new realigned eastbound on-ramp, adjacent to the right shoulder. The barrier will be the same height as the existing wall (5 metres).
If you have further questions or comments, contact the Project Team at info@qewcreditriver.ca or call the 24-hour bilingual telephone line, 1-866-624-9114 Des renseignements sont disponibles en français en 1-866-624-9114.