Municipal Class Environmental Assessment Study for Confederation Drive River Crossing

The Project

The Town of Smiths Falls conducted a review of a bridge to address its advanced state of deterioration. The Confederation Drive River Crossing is located within the Town of Smiths Falls and is illustrated on the key plan below. Confederation Drive River Crossing is located on Confederation Drive over the Rideau Canal and can be accessed from Confederation Drive, that leads to Centennial Park or Canal Street off Highway 15, at Veterans’ Memorial Park and the Smiths Falls Combined Lockstation Lock 29a. The study was conducted in accordance with Schedule B of the Municipal Class Environmental Assessment (MCEA) process (October 2000, as amended).

Through consultation with Agencies, Members of the Public, and Indigenous Communities, the preferred solution for the Confederation Drive River Crossing is to replace the existing bridge with a Bowstring style pedestrian bridge.

Key Plan

Project File Report  

A Project File Report (PFR) has been prepared to document the planning and decision-making process for this study. By this Notice, the PFR is being placed on the public record for a 30-day review period from August 3, 2023 to September 4, 2023. The PFR is available for review through the Town of Smiths Falls website at: https://www.smithsfalls.ca/en/town-hall/confederation-drive-river-crossing.aspx

If you have any questions, comments or concerns regarding this study, please contact one of the Project Team members below by September 4, 2023:

In addition, a request may be made to the Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks for an order requiring a higher level of study, or that conditions may be imposed, only on the grounds that the requested order may prevent, mitigate or remedy adverse impacts on constitutionally protected Aboriginal and treaty rights. Request on other grounds will not be considered. Requests should include the requesters contact information and full name for the ministry.

Requests should specify what kind of order is being requested, how an order may prevent, mitigate or remedy those potential adverse impacts, and any information in support of the statements in the request. The request should be sent in writing or by email to the project contacts noted above and the following:

Comments submitted to the Town of Smiths Falls for the purpose of providing feedback regarding this Municipal Class Environmental Assessment are collected under the authority of the Environmental Assessment Act. Information will be collected in accordance with the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. With the exception of personal information, all comments will become part of the public record. Questions relating to the collection, use and disclosure of this information may be addressed to Paul McMunn, Director of Public Work and Utilities, at 613-283-4124 x1152 or pmcmunn@smithsfalls.ca

This notice was first issued on August 3^rd and 10^th, 2023