Detail Design and Class Environmental Assessment for the Reconstruction of Highway 7 in the Town of Perth, G.W.P. 75-99-00 

THE PROJECT
The Ontario Ministry of Transportation (MTO) has retained the services of Egis (formerly McIntosh Perry Consulting Engineers Ltd.) and LEA Consulting Ltd. Joint Venture (Egis-LEA Joint Venture) to carry out the Detail Design and Class Environmental Assessment for the reconstruction of Highway 7 in the Town of Perth from approximately 1.3 km west of County Road 511 easterly to Wayside Drive West, approximately 4.5 km, County of Lanark. The study is following the approved planning process for a Group B undertaking in accordance with the Class Environmental Assessment for Provincial Transportation Facilities (2000), with the opportunity for public input throughout.

The Study includes:

• Resurfacing of the highway throughout the project limits;
• Widening of Highway 7 between County Road 511 and Perth Mews Mall and between Wilson Street and Drummond Street, approximately 2.5 km to accommodate a continuous two-way left turn lane;
• Construction of dedicated left turn and right turn lanes at the following intersections: County Road 511, Perth Mews Mall, commercial property at Wilson Street, Drummond Street West and Wilson Street;
• Construction of a left turn slip around for vehicles turning left in mainline Highway 7 onto Dufferin Road;
•  Construction of a centerline left turn lane east of Drummond Street in an eastbound direction only to various businesses;
•  Providing upgraded commercial entrances as required throughout the project limits;
• Closing Dufferin Road at Drummond Street West and Morris Road South at Highway 7;
• Construction of a new municipal roadway from Dufferin Road Southerly to Highway 7 with a new intersection at Highway 7; and
• Intersection improvements and widening at County Road 511.

Additional detailed information including plan drawings are available for viewing at www.highway7improvements.com.

TRANSPORTATION ENVIRONMENTAL STUDY REPORT ADDENDUM
The purpose of this notice is to inform the public that an addendum to the Transportation Environmental Study Report (TESR) for the Preliminary Design and Class Environmental Assessment for Highway 7 from west of County Road 511 to Wayside Drive West, Town of Perth, GWP 75-99-00, May 2009, has been prepared to document changes to the Preliminary Design such as additional property requirements. A copy of the TESR Addendum will be available from November 28^th, 2024 to January 10^th, 2025 for a 30-day comment period at www.highway7improvements.com. If you have any accessibility needs to review the TESR Addendum, please contact one of the project team members below.

COMMENTS
Interested persons may provide written comments to our project team by January 10^th, 2025. All comments and concerns should be sent directly to one, or both, of the project team members listed below.

Mr. Bob Boutilier
Project Manager
Egis
516 O’Connor Drive
Kingston, ON K7P 1N3
tel: 343-344-2638 or
toll free: 1-888-348-8991
e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Mr. Chris Belanger
Senior Project Manager
Ministry of Transportation – Project Delivery East
1355 John Counter Boulevard
Kingston, ON K7L 5A3
tel: 613-583-4573
e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

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., requiring 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. Requests should include the requester contact information and full name for the ministry. Requests should specify what kind of order is being requested (request for additional conditions or a request for an individual/comprehensive environmental assessment), how an order may prevent, mitigate, or remedy those potential adverse impacts, and any information in support of the statements in the request. This will ensure that the ministry is able to efficiently begin reviewing the request.

The request should be sent in writing or by email to:

Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks
Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks
777 Bay Street, 5th Floor
Toronto, ON M7A 1P5
e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Director, Environmental Assessment Branch
Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks
135 St. Clair Ave. W, 1st Floor
Toronto, ON M4V 1P5
e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

A copy of the request should also be sent to the project team members listed above by mail or by email. All information/comments will be maintained on file during the study and may be included in the study documentation. 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.

If you have accessibility requirements in order to participate in this project, please contact one of the project team members listed above.

NOTICE ISSUED ON: NOVEMBER 28^th, 2024

TAKE NOTICE that the Council of the Township of Drummond/North Elmsley, has passed By-law No. 2024-023 to adopt Official Plan Amendment No.9 to update the Township of Drummond/North Elmsley Official Plan on the 13th day of August 2024.

Please see the full notice here Official Plan Notice of Adoption - August 28, 2024

August 8, 2024

The Rideau Valley Conservation Authority is issuing a WATER SAFETY message for the entire Rideau Valley Watershed.
 
A low-pressure system associated with remnants of Tropical Storm Debby is expected to produce heavy rainfall throughout the region. Local estimates of 50 to 100 mm of rainfall are possible beginning Thursday evening and continuing into Friday. Despite above normal precipitation over the last month, stream flows have generally stabilized at normal seasonal levels.
 
Although riverine flooding is not anticipated at this time, all water levels and flows across the Rideau Valley Watershed are expected to increase. Depending on the location and rainfall intensity, localized flooding in low-lying areas, including ditches and stormwater features, may be possible. Flows on the Rideau River are not expected to increase significantly.
 
It is advised that residents adjacent to smaller tributaries and streams take precautionary measures to protect their property, including:

• Ensuring sump pumps are clear, in good working condition and have a backwater valve 
• Ensuring easy access to a portable backup generator and pump
• Ensuring downspouts are clear and the outlet is at least 3 metres from the dwelling
• Securing items that might float away as flows increase 

Until the water levels and flows recede, the RVCA advises the public to exercise extreme caution around ALL WATERBODIES and remind children about the dangers of playing near open water.
 
This watershed conditions statement is in effect until Friday, August 16, 2024 at 5 PM or until an update has been issued.
 
                                                            

More Information:
Brian Stratton, RVCA Manager Engineering Services
Rideau Valley Conservation Authority
613-692-3571, 1-800-267-3504 ext. 1141

MVCA is asking some big questions about how it manages land and the programs and services we deliver. Do we need more conservation areas in the watershed? Should we be delivering heritage programs and services? How should we cost recover for programs of local benefit?

Have a say in the future of your watershed and the programs delivered by MVCA!

Deadline for comments: September 6, 2024

To view the discussion paper and learn more, visit: https://mvc.on.ca/current-initiatives/land-conservation-resource-management-strategies/

CAUTION – The water is not recommended for swimming at the Rideau Ferry Yacht Club beach. The latest bacterial tests of the water indicated unacceptable levels of bacteria. Testing is performed weekly by the Health Unit, for more information please visit their website https://healthunit.org/health-information/recreational-water/weekly-beach-results

Media Release
Health Unit
July 15, 2024

High temperatures and humidity are expected to continue and this may affect your health. Becoming over heated can cause dehydration, heat exhaustion, heat stroke and in some cases death. Even short periods of exposure to high temperatures can cause health problems.

If you experience the following symptoms after exposure to extreme heat seek medical attention immediately:

• Nausea, dizziness, blurred vision
• Difficulty or rapid breathing
• Severe headache or confusion
• Convulsion
• Fever

Everyone is at risk; however the following people are in greater danger of being affected:

• Elderly
• People with chronic illness or who take certain medications
• Infants and preschool children
• People who have challenges with housing and shelter
• People who participate in physical activity or are involved in strenuous outdoor work for prolonged period

Dr. Linna Li, Medical Officer of Health for the Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit, advises to keep cool and hydrated this week and to take the following precautions:

• Do not leave children, adults or pets in parked cars or sleeping outside in direct sunlight.
• Consult your doctor or pharmacist regarding the side effects of your medications.
• Drink plenty of water throughout the day, even if you don’t feel very thirsty. Remember to take sips often and not to guzzle your drink. Learn more about hydration at unlockfood.ca.
• Eat foods that have high water content such as watermelon, grapes and oranges.
• Limit caffeinated beverages such as coffee and cola.
• Don’t skip meals, instead eat smaller amounts more often. Use Canada’s New Food Guide. Check out the snacks on this page. If you can, eat a variety of foods that can be prepared safely without using the oven.
• Avoid going out in the blazing sun or heat. If you must go outside, stay in the shade as much as possible.
• Wear loose fitting, light clothing and a wide-brimmed hat when outdoors.
• Reduce the use of personal vehicles, stop unnecessary idling; avoid using oil-based paints and glues, pesticides and gas-powered small engines.
• Whenever possible go to an air-conditioned room or building.

For those who don’t have air conditioning and are looking to find a way to stay cool:

• There are a few cooling centres being set up in the Leeds, Grenville and Lanark area. We will be posting on our website as we learn about them. Cooling Centres in Leeds, Grenville and Lanark – Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit
• In your house, keep electric lights off or turned down low.
• Keep window shades or drapes drawn and blinds closed on the sunny side of your home.
• Use fans to draw cool air at night, but do not rely on a fan as a main cooling device during long periods of high heat and humidity.
• To keep yourself cool:
  • Take a cool bath or shower periodically or cool down with cool, wet towels.
  • Visit a local splash pad.
  • Visit a local beach; weekly beach water testing results are found here: Weekly Beach Results – Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit

Environment Canada and Climate Change issues warnings when the:  

• Daytime temperature of 31ºC or higher and nighttime temperature not cooler than 20ºC for at least two days, or
• Humidex of 40ºC for at least two days

For more information on how to protect your health during extreme heat, visit our Exposure to Hot/Cold Temperatures page. For specific health heat-related questions call 1-800-660-5853 or 613-345-5685. You can also connect with us on Facebook, Twitter @LGLHealthUnit or Instagram @lglhealthunit.z for important public health updates.

Contact

For media interviews, contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

IMPORTANT INFO! CP Railway will be conducting maintenance on the GLENVIEW ROAD RAIL CROSSING beginning Wednesday, July 10 to Thursday July 11.

To accommodate the maintenance the crossing will be TEMPORARILY CLOSED during these times, (July 10-11) Detours will be put in place.

Rideau Valley Conservation Authority 

Please be advised that the RVCA, SNC and RRCA are pausing consultation on updated wetland mapping. We appreciate the feedback and comments we have received to-date and support direction we received from the Ministry of Natural Resources giving us time to work on a local approach.

Over the coming months, the conservation authorities will work with ministry staff, municipalities and stakeholders to develop this local approach. Please note that this means that open houses and one-on-one meetings with property owners will be paused and rescheduled at a later date.
• CANCELLED – Open House on June 26 (RVCA Administrative Office, Manotick)
• CANCELLED – Open House on June 27 (SNC Administrative Office, Finch)

If you have any questions, please contact RVCA staff at 613-692-3571 or 1-800-267- 3504 or by email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

The Perth & District Union Public Library will be hosting a launch party for the library’s 2024 TD Summer Reading Club on Friday June 28 from 10:30am-2:30pm. The TD Summer Reading Club is Canada’s biggest, bilingual summer reading program for kids of all ages, all interests, and all abilities. This free program is co-created and delivered by more than 2,000 public libraries across Canada. It’s designed to inspire kids to explore the fun of reading their way.

Attendees will be able to register for the program, get a free book, and receive a copy of the library's summer programming calendar. Every book read is a ballot to enter to win one of two new bicycles from Canadian Tire Perth.

Date: June 28, 2024

Time: 10:30am – 2:30pm

Location: Perth & District Library, 30 Herriott St, Perth ON

Notes for Media

Heidi Taber, Children’s Librarian, will be available to the media at the event.

Contact Information

Perth & District Union Public Library

Contact: Erika Heesen, (613) 267-1224

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.